Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan

Early Life and Rise to Fame

Yvette Marie Stevens was born on March 23, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois, to Charles Stevens and Sandra Coleman. Raised in the Hyde Park area of Chicago's South Side housing projects, Khan's childhood was marked by poverty and family instability. Her father struggled with heroin addiction and abandoned the family after her parents' divorce when she was 10 years old. Despite a Catholic upbringing she later described as "terrible," Khan discovered her passion for music through her grandmother, who introduced her to jazz. At age 11, she formed a girl group called the Crystalettes with her sister Yvonne (later known as Taka Boom). In 1967, at age 13, she was given the Yoruba name Chaka Adunne Aduffe Hodarhi Karifi by a priest during a naming ceremony; "Chaka" means "woman of fire."

Rufus Years and Breakthrough

After running away from home at 16 and performing in local Chicago bands, Khan joined the funk band Rufus in 1972 after their original lead singer departed. Spotted by musician Ike Turner, the group signed with ABC Records in 1973. Their breakthrough came in 1974 when Stevie Wonder collaborated with them on "Tell Me Something Good," which reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and won their first Grammy Award. The follow-up single "You Got the Love" helped their album "Rags to Rufus" go platinum. Between 1974 and 1979, Rufus released six platinum-selling albums featuring hits like "Sweet Thing," "Do You Love What You Feel," and "At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up)." Khan became the band's star attraction, renowned for her powerful vocals and commanding stage presence. Her compositions, often written with guitarist Tony Maiden, showcased her versatility as a vocalist and instrumentalist on drums and bass.

Solo Stardom and Major Hits

While maintaining her Rufus commitment, Khan signed a solo contract with Warner Bros. Records in 1978. Her debut solo album featured "I'm Every Woman," written by Ashford & Simpson, which became a No. 1 R&B hit and later a pop hit for Whitney Houston. The album went platinum, establishing Khan as a solo artist. Her 1984 album "I Feel for You" marked a career-defining moment. Her cover of Prince's "I Feel for You" featured a harmonica solo by Stevie Wonder and introductory rap by Grandmaster Melle Mel, becoming a million-selling smash that reached No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 in the U.K. The accompanying music video with breakdancers solidified her status in popular culture. She achieved another No. 1 hit in 1986 collaborating with Steve Winwood on "Higher Love."

Later Career and Legacy

Following the 1983 breakup of Rufus, Khan established herself as one of funk's most celebrated artists. She worked with an impressive array of musicians including Ray Charles, Robert Palmer, Miles Davis, Quincy Jones, and Mary J. Blige. In 2008, she released "Funk This," produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, which earned her a Grammy for Best R&B Album. Her 2019 album "Hello Happiness" marked her first studio release in twelve years and included the collaboration "Like Sugar" with Major Lazer's Switch. Khan has won 10 Grammy Awards across her career and received numerous accolades. In 2023, she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the Musical Excellence Award, and Rolling Stone ranked her No. 29 on their list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time. Offstage, Khan has been recognized as a vegan activist and spiritual person who has candidly discussed overcoming struggles with drug and alcohol addiction. Known as the "Queen of Funk," her five-decade career has solidified her as one of music's most influential and enduring artists.