Close
There is before Chaka Khan, and there is after. Few artists in the history of recorded music can claim that distinction that their voice, presence, and sheer force of talent permanently altered what was possible. Chaka Khan can.
Born Yvette Marie Stevens on the South Side of Chicago, she became Chaka Khan long before the world caught up with her. She came to prominence at 18 as the lead voice of Rufus, a multiracial band whose sound defied every category radio programmers tried to put them in. What followed was not a career so much as a force of nature: 23 studio albums, over 2,000 recorded songs, collaborations spanning six decades.
In November 2023, Chaka was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Musical Excellence Award. In 2026, she received the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award the highest honor the Recording Academy bestows.
On 7 May 2026, Chaka Khan released the first new music in over 7 years with “Chakzilla”. Co-written with and featuring Sia, co-written and produced by Greg Kurstin. A new era of her music began.
The full “Chakzilla” album follows on 18 September 2026, featuring collaborations with Sia, Snoop Dogg and Lenny Kravitz. Single releases include, ‘Boogie’s In My Soul ft. Snoop Dogg and Sia’ (22 May), and ‘Cool U Down’ (31 July).
‘I’m Every Woman’ the West End musical based on her life and music premieres in London July 2026.
Chaka Khan has recorded across more than ten genres including, R&B, soul, pop, jazz, gospel, rock, country, dance, classical, and world music not as a crossover exercise, but because no single genre could define her artistry. She has performed on six continents, built a devoted international audience across generations, and influenced virtually every significant female vocalist in history.
It began with Rufus, the Chicago band she joined as a teenager in the early 1970s. Stevie Wonder wrote their debut single, ‘Tell Me Something Good,’ after hearing her sing. It won a Grammy. The hits that followed, ‘Ain’t Nobody,’ ‘Sweet Thing,’ ‘Once You Get Started’ were soul at its most precise: groove-driven, emotionally specific, impossible to ignore.
Her 1978 solo debut single ‘I’m Every Woman’ was not just a hit; it became a declaration. In 1984, ‘I Feel for You’ written by Prince, featuring Stevie Wonder on harmonica made history as one of the first mainstream songs to integrate rap (Grandmaster Melle Mel), reaching audiences that had never heard of Rufus. She lent her voice to Steve Winwood’s ‘Higher Love’ and Robert Palmer’s ‘Addicted to Love,’ both Grammy winners. Everything she touched, she elevated.
Her catalogue now runs to 23 studio albums, 10 certified gold or platinum by the RIAA, 10 Billboard number ones, and 11 Grammy Awards from 22 nominations. She has collaborated with Prince, Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Quincy Jones, Joni Mitchell, Mary J. Blige, Ariana Grande, Sia, Snoop Dogg, Lenny Kravitz, and Dizzy Gillespie, a list that reads less like a discography and more like a history of popular music itself.
“She sings like my horn.”
— Miles Davis
“She’s a one-of-a-kind, premier vocalist.”
— Aretha Franklin
“When she performs you feel the truth coming out. Beautifully honest.”
— Joni Mitchell
“Chaka is the Godzilla of chanteuses.”
— Sia
Chaka made her West End debut in 1995 in ‘Mama I Want to Sing.’ In 2008, she stepped into the leading role of Sophia in Oprah Winfrey’s Tony-nominated Broadway production of The Color Purple. Her NPR Tiny Desk Concert became one of the most-viewed performances in the series’ history. In 2024, she curated the artist lineup for London’s renowned Meltdown Festival. Her signature fragrance, ‘Chaka by Chaka Khan,’ is available now. Original artwork is available online at chakakhan.com
Founded in 1999 and co-led with her sister Tammy Michelle, the Chaka Khan Foundation reflects nearly three decades of advocacy and service. What began as a mission supporting women in recovery from trauma and substance abuse, autism advocacy, and youth education in underserved communities has evolved into a focused commitment to advancing mental health and wellness initiatives for neurodivergent individuals. Rooted in compassion and informed by lived experience, the Foundation works at the intersection of music, healing, and human connection to create pathways for awareness, support, and transformation. chakakhanfoundation.org
Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award (2026) · Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, Musical Excellence Award (2023) · 11 Grammy Awards · BET Lifetime Achievement Award · Soul Train Legend Award · Hollywood Walk of Fame · Nordoff & Robbins Global Impact Award · Honorary Doctor of Music, Berklee College of Music (2004) · Chaka Khan Day, Chicago — July 28, 2013 · “Chaka Khan Way” — street naming in Chicago on her high school street
2017
2016
2015
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
1998
1996
1995
1993
CK sings lead and background vocals with her band Rufus
Record Label: ABC
Singles: “Slip ‘n Slide” / “Whoever’s Thrilling You (Is Killing Me)” / “Feel Good”
History/Trivia Facts: CK’s first 1973 studio recording as the Rufus frontwoman replacing singer Paulette McWilliams.
Song/Album: Tell Me Something Good (Track)
Performers: Rufus
Category: Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
CK sings lead and background vocals with her band Rufus
Record Label: ABC
Singles: “Tell Me Something Good” / “You Got The Love”
History/Trivia Facts: CK won her first of 10 Grammys in 1975 for “Tell Me Something Good”, written by Stevie Wonder.
CK sings lead and background vocals with her band Rufus. She also sings co-lead vocals on the song ‘Stop On By’ with Tony Maiden
Record Label: ABC
Singles: “Once You Get Started” / “Stop On By” / “Please Pardon Me (You Remind Me Of A Friend Of Mine”
History/Trivia Facts: CK co-wrote the instrumental track “Somebody’s Watching You”.
CK sings lead and background vocals with her band Rufus
Record Label: ABC
Singles: “Sweet Thing” / “Dance Wit Me” / “Jive Talkin”
History/Trivia Facts: A 1975 fold-out wall-size photo poster for fans was included inside the ‘Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan’ vinyl album jacket.
Song/Album: Ask Rufus (Album)
Performers: Rufus
Category: Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
CK sings lead and background vocals with her band Rufus
Record Label: ABC
Singles: “At Midnight (My Love With Lift You Up)” / “Hollywood” / “Everlasting Love”
History/Trivia Facts: The platinum-selling album was #1 on the Billboard R&B chart for three consecutive weeks, peaking at #14 on the Pop chart. A second wall-size fold-out photo poster of the group for fans was included inside the vinyl album’s gatefold cover.
Song/Album: I’m Every Woman (Track)
Performers: Chaka Khan
Category: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
CK sings lead and background vocals with her band Rufus. She also sings co-backing vocals on the song ‘Street Player’
Record Label: ABC
Singles: “Stay” / “Blue Love”
History/Trivia Facts: This version of “Street Player” (co-written by Rufus member David ‘Hawk’ Wolinski) was recorded and released a year earlier than the 1979 song by Chicago featuring Peter Cetera. Dance music samples are also heard in popular club remixes by The Buckheads (1995), Pit Bull (2009), and Tradelove (2013).
Record Label: Warner Bros
Singles: “I’m Every Woman” / “Life Is A Dance”
History/Trivia Facts: CK’s Grammy-nominated signature tune “I’m Every Woman” appeared first on this album which was her solo debut recording. It has been re-released, remixed and covered numerous times over the past three decades, most notably by Whitney Houston for the ‘The Bodyguard’ movie soundtrack.
CK sings lead and background vocals with her band Rufus. Tony Maiden sings lead vocals on ‘Dancing For Your Love’ (CK sings backing vocals)
Record Label: MCA
Singles: “Do You Love What You Feel” / “Any Love” / “I’m Dancing For Your Love”
History/Trivia Facts: This was a platinum-selling LP and the fourth #1 R&B chart-topping album for Rufus & Chaka, peaking at #14 on the Pop chart.
Record Label: Warner Bros
Singles: “Clouds” / “Papillion (aka Hot Butterfly)”
History/Trivia Facts: CK’s daughter Indira Khan (Milini) posed for the back cover of her 1980 ‘Naughty’ album at age 12.
Song/Album: What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me (Album)
Performers: Chaka Khan
Category: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
Record Label: Warner Bros
Singles: “What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me” (B-Side “Lover’s Touch”) / “We Can Work It Out” / “I Know You I Live You” / “Any Old Sunday”
History/Trivia Facts: CK wrote unprecedented lyrics for this cover version and performed them with guest jazz trumpet player Dizzy Gillespie. The new composition features a ‘sample’ of the original 1943 Charlie Parker four-bar alto break.
CK sings lead and background vocals with her band Rufus
Record Label: MCA
Producer(s): Rufus
Singles: “Sharing The Love ” / “Better Together”
History/Trivia Facts: This was the last in-studio recording between Rufus and Chaka Khan.
Song/Album: Echoes Of An Era (Album)
Performers: Chaka Khan
Category: Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female
CK sings lead jazz vocals.
Record Label: Elecktra-Musician
History/Trivia Facts: CK received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Female Jazz Performance.
Records Label: Warner Bros
Singles: “Tearin It Up” / “Best In The West”
History/Trivia Facts: CK won two Grammys for the songs “Got To Be There” (Best R&B Performance) and ‘Be Bop Medley’ (Best Vocal Arrangement for Two or More Voices).
Song/Album: Be Bop Medley (Track)
Performers: Chaka Khan
Category: Best Arrangement For Voices
Song/Album: Ain’t Nobody (Track)
Performers: Chaka Khan & Rufus
Category: Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
Song/Album: Chaka Khan (Album)
Performers: Chaka Khan
Category: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
CK sings live lead vocals with her band Rufus
Record Label: Warner Bros
Singles: “Ain’t Nobody” / “One Million Kisses”
History/Trivia Facts: Chaka and Rufus won a Grammy Award in 1984 for Best R&B Performance By Duo Or Group With Vocal. It was their last album together.
Song/Album: I Feel For You (Track)
Performers: Chaka Khan
Category: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
Record Label: Warner Bros
Singles: “I Feel For You” / “This Is My Night” / “Through The Fire” / “Eye To Eye”
History/Trivia Facts: CK won the Female Best R&B Vocal Performance Grammy Award for this infectious post-disco, high-tech funk, soul, and rap cover song originally written and recorded by Prince. Her groundbreaking music video with hip-hop dancers helped propel the album to platinum status (over a million copies sold).
Song/Album: I Feel For You (Album)
Performers: Chaka Khan
Category: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
Song/Album: Destiny (Album)
Performers: Chaka Khan
Category: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
Record Label: Warner Bros
Singles: “The Other Side Of The World” / “Love Of A Lifetime” / “Love Of A Lifetime 12″ Remix” / “Tight Fit” / “Earth To Mickey”
History/Trivia Facts: This was an album more geared towards rock and pop than previous Chaka Khan solo recordings. It included Phil Collins on drums and backing vocals.
Record Label: Warner Bros
Singles: “It’s My Party” / “Baby Me” (B-Side “Everybody Needs Some Love” / “Soul Talkin”
History/Trivia Facts: CK arranged all her vocals on this album. She also revealed her illustration talent showcasing an original drawing on the inside vinyl cover sleeve entitled, ‘It’s My Party’.
Record Label: Warner Bros
Singles: “Ain’t Nobody (7″ Remix Edit)” / “I’m Every Woman (7″ Remix)” / “I Feel For You (7″ Remix)”
History/Trivia Facts: This album reached #14 on the UK Album Chart, making it the best-selling Chaka Khan album in Great Britain since “I Feel For You”. All four single releases went to the top spot of the American Dance Play Chart.
Song/Album: I’ll Be Good To You (Track)
Performers: Chaka Khan & Ray Charles
Category: Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
Song/Album: The Woman I Am (Album)
Performers: Chaka Khan
Category: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
Record Label: Warner Bros
Singles: “Love You All My Lifetime” / “You Can Make The Story Right” / “Give Me All – The Woman I Am” / “I Want” / “Don’t Look At Me That Way
History/Trivia Facts: CK won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Vocal Performance Female in 1993. This album marked her debut as executive producer in charge of production.
Song/Album: Love Me Still (From Clockers) (Track)
Performers: Chaka Khan & Bruce Hornsby
Category: Best Song Written For Visual Media
Performs the role of Sister Carrie in Mama I Want To Sing on the West End in London
From the “Mama, I Want To Sing” soundtrack and stageplay. I starred in the London production of this play in 1995 and won the Capitol Radio Listeners award (British equivalent of a Tony award) for my role as Sister Carrie.
Song/Album: Never Miss The Water (Track)
Performers: Chaka Khan & Meshell Ndegeocello
Category: Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
Song/Album: Stomp (Track)
Performers: Chaka Khan, Charlie Wilson, Ray Charles, and Brandy
Category: Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
Song/Album: Missing You (Track)
Performers: Chaka Khan, Brandy, Gladys Knight & Tamia
Category: Best Pop Collaboration with Vocals
Record Label: Warner Bros, Reprise Records (re-releases)
Re-Releases: September 14, 1999 (re-release), March 15, 2005 (re-release)
Singles: “Never Miss The Water”
History/Trivia Facts: This 16-song compilation CD included six tracks that were originally recorded for “Dare You To Love Me”, an unreleased CK album that Warner Bros Records previously chose to shelve: “Never Miss The Water”, “Everywhere”, “Something Deep”, “Every Little Thing”, “Your Love Is All I Know” and “It Ain’t Easy Lovin’ Me” (a bonus track only on the Japanese edition).
Song/Album: Summertime (Track)
Performers: Chaka Khan
Category: Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
Record Label: NPG Records
Singles: “Spoon”/ “Don’t Talk To Strangers”
History/Trivia Facts: This CD marked the first time that CK co-produced, composed or co-wrote the majority of the songs on one of her albums.
Launches the Chaka Khan Foundation to assist at-risk women and children
Song/Album: What’s Goin’ On (Track)
Performers: Chaka Khan
Category: Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance
Chaka! Through The Fire was published on Rodale Books
CK sings lead vocals on a combination of swing standards, Broadway show tunes, film favorites, pop culture, country western, and jazz.
Record Labels: Sanctuary Urban (U.K.), Earth Song-AgU MusicGroup (U.S.), JVC Victor (Japan)
History/Trivia Facts: Recorded at London’s legendary Abbey Road Studios, the album features guest appearances by Joe Sample and Sheila E.
Launched Chakalates Gourmet Chocolates in 20 Neiman Marcus Stores nationwide
Song/Album: Everyday (Family Reunion) (Track)
Performers: Chaka. Khan, Gerald Levert, Yolanda Adams & Carl Thomas
Category: Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
Song/Album: Funk This (Album)
Performers: Chaka Khan
Category: Best R&B Album
Song/Album: Disrespectful (Track)
Performers: Chaka Khan|Mary J. Blige
Category: Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal
Performs the role of Sofia in The Color Purple on Broadway
CK sings lead vocals on all 13 tracks which feature duets with Mary J. Blige and Michael McDonald. Her former Rufus bandmate Tony Maiden was also a guest artist on guitar.
Record Label: Burgundy
Singles: “Disrespectful”, “Angel”, “You Belong To Me”, “One For All Time”
History/Trivia Facts: CK won two Grammy Awards for this project which included four bonus tracks available exclusively on Circuit City/Napster, iTunes, and Walmart: “Let Go”, “Angel” (Mr. Mig Radio Remix”, “Once You Get Started” (featuring Tony Maiden) and “Shining Star”.
Chaka is inducted into the Hollywood Bowl Hall of Fame
Chaka received BET Honors Award
Chaka is inducted into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame
Street Dedication of “Chaka Khan Way”
Record Label: Diary Island
Singles: “Like Sugar”, “Hello Happiness”
History/Trivia Facts: “Like Sugar” was used in television advertisements for U.S. retailer chains including Target.
CK performs her favorite career songs including a tribute to Aretha Franklin in a live concert taped for PBS public television fundraising.
Record Label: BMG Rights Mgmt
History/Trivia Facts: This performance was recorded live at the Harris Theatre in Chicago.
Record Label: SRG-ILS Group Sony Recording Group
Archivist Credit: Darrell Hill / Music Historian Journalist
