Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan is an American singer and songwriter from Chicago, born Yvette Marie Stevens in 1953. She begins her career in the early 1970s as the lead vocalist of the funk group Rufus and becomes closely associated with soul, funk, R&B, disco and pop soul.

Rufus and early success

With Rufus, she records a series of notable singles including “Tell Me Something Good”, “Sweet Thing”, “Do You Love What You Feel” and “Ain’t Nobody”. Her work with the group brings commercial success, including three gold singles, one platinum single, four gold albums and two platinum albums.

Solo career

Her solo debut album includes “I’m Every Woman”, which reaches number one on the R&B chart. She also has R&B success with “What Cha’ Gonna Do for Me” and with her 1984 cover of Prince’s “I Feel for You”, which incorporates rap elements. Other well-known solo recordings include “Through the Fire”. Her solo releases include Chaka, Naughty, What Cha’ Gonna Do for Me, Chaka Khan, Echoes of an Era, I Feel for You, Destiny, CK, The Woman I Am, Come 2 My House, ClassiKhan, Funk This and Hello Happiness.

Collaborations and honours

She works with a wide range of artists, including Whitney Houston, Ry Cooder, Robert Palmer, Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Miles Davis, Chick Corea, Guru, Chicago, Joni Mitchell, Gladys Knight, De La Soul, Mary J. Blige, Ariana Grande and Sia. A 1986 collaboration with Steve Winwood, “Higher Love”, reaches number one on the Billboard Hot 100. She receives eleven Grammy Awards, including the Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award. She is also ranked among the most successful dance club artists by Billboard and appears at 17th on VH1’s list of the 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll.

Later recognition

She is nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame three times as a solo artist and four times as a member of Rufus featuring Chaka Khan. In 2023, she is selected for induction in the Musical Excellence category.

Groups and labels

Her associated acts include Rufus, Echoes of an Era, Artists United for Nature and The Queens. Her labels include Chaka Khan Music and iKhan Sounds.