Chaka Khan, born Yvette Marie Stevens on March 23, 1953, in Great Lakes, Illinois, is an iconic American singer renowned as the "Queen of Funk." Her illustrious career began in the early 1970s as the lead vocalist of the massively popular funk band Rufus, paving the way for her enduring solo success that has spanned over five decades.
Chaka Khan grew up immersed in a family of musicians on the south side of Chicago. By the age of eleven, she had already formed singing groups with her friends. Her early engagement with music also paralleled her social activism; she joined the Black Panther Party in 1967. It was during this period that she changed her name to Chaka Adunne Aduffe Hodarhi Karifi after being inspired by an encounter with an African shaman. She became known as Chaka Khan following her marriage to Hassan Khan.
Chaka Khan's musical journey took a definitive turn in 1972 when she joined Rufus after being discovered by two members of the band. They signed with ABC Records the following year and released their self-titled album in 1974. The band achieved their breakthrough success with "Tell Me Something Good," a track penned by Stevie Wonder, which garnered a Grammy Award. Other notable hits with Rufus include:
Khan continued to record with Rufus until the early 1980s.
Chaka Khan's solo career was launched in 1978 with her debut album "Chaka," which featured the hit "I'm Every Woman," written by Ashford & Simpson. Her follow-up albums, such as "Naughty" in 1980, included hits like "Clouds" and "Papillon." However, her major breakthrough as a solo artist came in 1984 with the Prince cover "I Feel for You," prominently featuring Melle Mel. Other remarkable solo hits include:
Chaka Khan has released 13 studio albums throughout her solo career. Some of her most notable albums include:
Her albums have consistently performed well, placing four in the top twenty of the Billboard albums chart.
Chaka Khan’s influence in music is monumental. She has won a total of 10 Grammy Awards, achieved numerous gold and platinum certifications, and was ranked the 65th most successful dance club artist of all time by Billboard magazine. Her impact has been recognized with her 17th place in VH1's list of the 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll, and her induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023 in the Musical Excellence category. Khan has inspired many artists such as Erykah Badu and Mary J. Blige.
Throughout her career, Chaka Khan has collaborated with numerous legendary artists including Prince, Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Steve Winwood, Michael McDonald, Rod Stewart, and Mary J. Blige.
In addition to her music, Chaka Khan has ventured into various charitable and artistic projects. She founded the Chaka Khan Foundation in 1999, focusing on the education and empowerment of children in Los Angeles. In 2003, she published her autobiography "Chaka! Through the Fire," offering insight into her life and career. Khan also made her Broadway debut in 2008, starring as Sofia in "The Color Purple."
Chaka Khan is celebrated for her powerful voice and genre versatility, effectively crossing seven music genres including R&B, pop, rock, and gospel. Her music has incorporated jazz elements, and she has recorded jazz standards as well as worked alongside esteemed jazz musicians.
Chaka Khan's legend as a revolutionary presence in the funk, R&B, and pop music landscapes remains unwavering, as she continues to be celebrated for her contributions to music.
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