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The Essential Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan is a global music star who has served as an inspiration for generations of singers, songwriters, recording artists, storytellers, and musicians. Aside from being a singer, she is a distinguished songwriter, producer, visual artist, author, actress, humanitarian, activist, and mother.

Though born Yvette Marie Stevens, she embraced the power of the name Chaka Khan, carving her own path to become a truly one-of-a-kind phenomenon.

Inducted into the coveted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023, Chaka Khan is a trendsetter, a fighter, and a survivor. She redefined pop, soul, jazz, and funk and has helped mold the contemporary music landscape into what it is today.

Although Chaka has affectionately been referred to as the “Queen of Funk” and is also known as the “Empress of Funk, Rock, and Soul,” she prefers to ditch the genre-limiting titles. After all, she has the rare ability to sing in eight different music genres; these include R&B/soul, pop, rock, gospel, country, world music, dance, and classical music.

Chaka has developed a vast and loyal global fan base, having performed on six continents.

The Beginning

She grew up in Chicago, Illinois, as the eldest of four siblings. In her teenage years, Chaka and her sister, Bonnie, formed a vocal group, The Crystalettes, with two school friends.

Chaka subsequently sang with several local bands before she became the lead singer for the band Ask Rufus, which would become Rufus, a group that would churn out hit after hit.

She learned to trust her heart and instincts and follow her dreams from an early age. And, at just 20, she caught the attention of Stevie Wonder, who wrote Rufus’ debut single, “Tell Me Something Good.”

This song earned Chaka and Rufus their first Grammy Award in the “Best R&B Vocal Performance by A Duo, Group, or Chorus” category; moreover, it became a Top 5 hit single on the Billboard Hot 100 charts and the Billboard R&B Songs charts.

Rufus entertained audiences with sold-out concerts, and their smash hits include the ubiquitous “Ain’t Nobody,” “Once You Get Started,” “Sweet Thing,” “Do You Love What You Feel,” and “You Got the Love,” which was co-penned by Chaka and Ray Parker Jr.

50+ Years of Music Making

For over five decades, Chaka has remained relevant as one of the mightiest and most influential voices in modern music. Her artistic work has endured and continues to inspire fellow recording artists, musicians, and fans alike.

Chaka Khan’s voice is a fusion of seductive fire and sweet smoke. At just 18, she rose to prominence with the groundbreaking multiracial funk-rock group Rufus. During the 1970s, she played a pivotal role in the band, embodying both fearlessness and femininity. Rufus, known for their funky, sexy, and soulful sound, left an indelible mark on a generation of music.

“I’m Every Woman” Launches Solo Career

“I’m Every Woman” was her initial single from her debut solo album, Chaka, which she released in 1978. It was Khan’s first hit outside of her recordings with the group Rufus. Her signature song, “I’m Every Woman,” is more than just a hit single and Grammy-nominated tune; it’s a lifestyle filled with positivity.

As a solo recording artist, her other hits include “Clouds,” “What Cha’ Gonna Do for Me,” “Through the Fire,” and “I Feel For You,” all of which have become pop, R&B/soul, funk, and adult contemporary classics in their own right.

Prince wrote and originally recorded “I Feel For You,” and Khan’s rendition propelled her to unprecedented heights. It was one of the most popular songs of the ‘80s, and it made history by becoming the first R&B tune to feature a rap vocal (performed by Grandmaster Melle Mel).

She also lent her powerhouse vocals on two of the biggest Grammy-winning songs of 1986: Steve Winwood’s “Higher Love” and Robert Palmer’s “Addicted to Love.”

The Collaborator

Beyond being one of the world’s most distinctive artists, Chaka Khan is a fearless musical explorer and masterful song stylist. She has collaborated with an unparalleled array of artists, delivering standout performances alongside legends like Prince, Joni Mitchell, Sia, Stevie Wonder, Mary J. Blige, Ariana Grande, George Benson, Dizzy Gillespie, Quincy Jones, and Miles Davis.

With over 420 recorded collaborations, Chaka has lent her iconic voice to more than 200 diverse artists, musicians, and producers across 13 genres, including pop, gospel, dance, rock, and jazz.  Chaka’s most recent collaboration was with Sia on the global smash, “Immortal Queen.”

This shared-experience spirit has given rise to countless musical gems. One particularly notable piece of trivia is that in 1999, Chaka Khan’s iconic voice became the soundtrack for the theme song of the beloved children’s television show Reading Rainbow.

Chaka has also co-created on countless film soundtracks over the years, including “Love Me Still” from Spike Lee’s film, Clockers; “My Funny Valentine” on the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack; “Missing You” from the Set It Off soundtrack; and her Grammy Award-winning performance of the Marvin Gaye classic, “What’s Goin’ On,” from the documentary film Standing in the Shadows of Motown.

The Stage and Theater Performer

In 1995, Chaka made her theatrical debut on London’s iconic West End, where she starred in the hit musical “Mama I Want to Sing.”

Seven years later, in 2002, she headlined “Signed, Sealed, Delivered,” the musical based on the music and lyrics of Stevie Wonder. Then, in 2008, she made her way to Broadway, where she stepped into the leading role of Sophia in Oprah Winfrey’s Tony-nominated musical The Color Purple.

10-Time Grammy Winner and Legacy Accolades

With over 100 million units sold, streamed, and downloaded worldwide, Chaka Khan’s legacy is undeniable. Her achievements include 10 Grammy Awards and 22 nominations—three of which were earned as a member of Rufus. A constant source of inspiration for generations of artists, particularly women, Chaka remains a defining influence in music.

“It is lovely to be recognized by your peers, where they think you are doing a good enough job that you deserve a Grammy. It would be nice, however, if that would affect my pay grade,” Chaka said with her signature deep-throated laugh.

Influences

One of her biggest musical influences, the late but great Aretha Franklin, proclaimed Chaka as a “premier vocalist.” Another one of her greatest musical inspirations, Miles Davis, paid her what she considers to be a huge compliment when he acknowledged that “she sings like my horn.”

Chaka was also inspired by the legendary Sarah Vaughan, as well as folk rock star Joni Mitchell and R&B/soul pioneer Stevie Wonder.

Modern artists such as H.E.R., Mary J. Blige, Erykah Badu, Janelle Monáe, Lizzo, and Sam Smith have all cited Chaka as a musical influence.

An Eclectic Discography

In her respected and prolific career, Chaka has released 22 studio albums, 10 of which were certified gold and platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). 10 of her singles have catapulted to the top spot on the Billboard charts.

Chaka Khan’s recorded music has produced well over 2,000 catalog song placements, solidifying her legacy across various media. Her iconic hit “I’m Every Woman” is a feminist anthem that celebrates female empowerment and has been prominently featured in Carolina Herrera’s Good Girl collection commercials, as well as in the beloved film Bridget Jones’s Diary. Another frequently placed track is “Like Sugar,” which has been featured in multiple commercials and television promotions. In 2018, it was the centerpiece of Target’s “Your Home, Your Way” campaign, showcasing home furniture and decor. More recently, in 2024, The North Face used the track in a commercial, and it has also been featured in a promotional spot for the Food Network. These placements highlight the enduring appeal of Chaka Khan’s music across generations and industries.

“Life inspires my music. Love, breakups, and almost everything in life,” she said about her music and songwriting inspirations.

The Entrepreneur

Beyond her career as an entertainer, she has also made her mark as a successful entrepreneur. In 2004, she launched “Chakalates,” a gourmet chocolate line created exclusively for Neiman Marcus to support her nonprofit. More recently, she debuted her signature fragrance, “Chaka by Chaka Khan,” on the Home Shopping Network (HSN), with plans in motion to expand both ventures into additional national retail outlets.

The Chaka Khan Foundation

In 1999, she founded the Chaka Khan Foundation, whose mission is to educate, inspire, and empower women and children to reach their full potential.

It featured a variety of educational programs and initiatives to help women and children at risk, especially children with difficult backgrounds and autism. She is now expanding her philanthropy to include initiatives related to mental health and well-being.

With this foundation, she is able to make a huge difference and help people, especially children, on a significant scale. She is a firm believer that “the arts, music, and mental health are all very important, especially for our youth.”

In return, Chaka feels that “giving is better than receiving,” so she is happiest when she is doing something for somebody else.

The Author

Chaka’s life story and her music career were profiled in her autobiography, Through the Fire, which was published in 2003 via Rodale Books.

Her Through the Fire memoir provides a candid account of the challenges she has faced in her life and music career. Not afraid to be raw and vulnerable, Khan opens up about her substance abuse, where she offers optimism and encouragement to her fans and readers. She refers to “walking through life” as a metaphor for “walking through the fire” accordingly. 

Dr. Chaka Khan: Honorary Doctorate Recipient

In December 2004, Chaka was awarded an honorary Doctor of Music from the Berklee College of Music in Boston for her services and accomplishments in contemporary music and for her philanthropy.

“A lot of kids get sidetracked and feel like they should put on some booty shorts and do the song, and that’s sad. That’s one of the things that bothers me and makes me sad about this business. I always also remind kids to go finish school because they are always hiring at the post office, and somebody has to work the computers,” she told young and aspiring artists.

Chaka’s Awards and Accolades

Chaka has been the recipient of countless well-deserved accolades and awards. These include her recent induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, an induction into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame, the Soul Train Legend Award, the BET Lifetime Achievement Award and Triumph Award, the World Music Lifetime Achievement Award, the United Negro College Fund’s “An Evening of Stars” Tribute, and a Grammy Honors Award from the NARAS Chicago Chapter.

In 2024, she was honored with the prestigious Silver Clef Award by Nordoff and Robbins, recognizing her outstanding contributions to music and her enduring impact on the industry.

Her Chicago hometown has also honored her with “Chaka Khan Way,” a street in her name, along with officially declaring a “Chaka Khan Day.” 

Personal life

Chaka has lived for a time in both London and Germany, as well as New York and Los Angeles. She now resides in Georgia. She is the mother of two children, daughter Indira Milini and son Damien. She is also the grandmother of four children, Raeven, Daija, Josh, and Jett, and the great-grandmother of two children, MacKenzie and Caiiya.

Chaka is a true Renaissance woman, using her many talents as a powerful force to share her unstoppable spirit and its radiant energy with the world.

“Thank you for hanging in there with me for all these years. I hope I brought somebody some joy, some truth, and some love,” she told her dedicated fans.