Dionne Warwick Loves Beyoncé But Says She Isn't an Icon Just Yet: 'It's a Long Road'

Dionne Warwickdoesn’t believeBeyoncéis an icon — just yet! During a recent interview withEssence, Warwick, 78, raved over the “Formation” singer, 37, but questioned whether or not her career will reach the level of success that “classic” musicians from the ’60s have. “I have an admiration for Beyoncé Knowles, Carter now. Watching her growth has been quite refreshing. It’s wonderful to see how she’s been able to create what and who she wanted to be and who she is… very proud of that, I really am,” Warwick, who released her new albumShe’s Backearlier this month, toldEssence.

Dionne Warwick Loves Doja Cat's Sample of Her Hit Song on 'Paint the Town Red' — Listen!

Photo:Matt Winkelmeyer/Getty, Matt Winkelmeyer/GettyDionne Warwickis lovingDoja Cat’s sample of her classic “Walk on By.“In anInstagram videoon Friday, Warwick praised Doja Cat’s newly released single “Paint the Town Red” and encouraged her followers to listen to the track.“I wanted to say, I think it’s wonderful that these youngsters who are recording today had decided to listen to some really good stuff of the old folks,” Warwick, 82, began. “Those that been recording for well over 20, 30, 40, 50 years and making decisions that good music plays a very important part.

Dionne Warwick on 'That's What Friends Are For' and How She Got President Reagan to Say 'AIDS'

Photo: Christian Witkin The night beforeDionne Warwickwas set to record “That’s What Friends Are For,” she ran intoElton Johnwhile grocery shopping in Beverly Hills. “I said, ‘I’m recording tomorrow and I need you.’ That’s how simple it was,” Warwick tells PEOPLE of how she recruited John at the last minute, back in 1986. John showed up, along with Warwick’s friends,Gladys KnightandStevie Wonder, to record the song, which would reach number one on the Billboard charts, and earn Warwick her fifth Grammy award.

Dionne Warwick on Her New Song 'Merry Mission' and Why She Doesn't Give Advice to Younger Artists (Exclusive)

There isn’t much thatDionne Warwickhasn’t done. In her more than 62-year career, the legendary actress and singer has released more than 40 albums, accumulated five Grammys, raised millions of dollars for AIDS research with her hit"That’s What Friends Are For"and — in recent years — has become the reigningQueen of X (formerly Twitter). Ahead of the film’s release, the “Walk on By” musician spoke to PEOPLE about the meaning behind her new song, whether or not she’s spoken to Elon Musk yet and why she doesn’t give advice to younger artists.

Dionne Warwick on the Legacy of Cousin Whitney Houston and Aunt Cissy: 'It Was Just Preordained'

AskDionne Warwickabout her family’s musical legacy, one that spanned multiple generations and genres, and she says, “It was just preordained.” Warwick, 81, a six-time Grammy nominee who has sold over 100 million records and was recently nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, shares her memories of a dynasty that included such greats as Cissy and Whitney Houston, along with star sopranoLeontyne Price, in this week’s issue of PEOPLE.