Chaka Khan

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22 Jan 2024

Chaka Khan

Yvette Marie Stevens, born on March 23, 1953, is better known by her stage name Chaka Khan. She is an American singer renowned as the "Queen of Funk." Chaka Khan's illustrious career has spanned more than five decades, beginning in the early 1970s as the lead vocalist of the funk band Rufus. Her collaboration with the band produced notable hits such as "Tell Me Something Good," "Sweet Thing," "Do You Love What You Feel," and the platinum-certified "Ain't Nobody."

Chaka Khan's solo career took off with her debut solo album, featuring the number-one R&B hit "I'm Every Woman," which later became a pop hit for Whitney Houston. She continued to make an impact on the R&B charts with hits like "What Cha' Gonna Do for Me." In 1984, she achieved another milestone by becoming the first R&B artist to have a crossover hit featuring a rapper, with her cover of Prince's "I Feel for You."

Chaka Khan's impressive catalog of hits also includes songs like "Through the Fire." In 1986, her collaboration with Steve Winwood produced a number-one hit on the Billboard Hot 100 titled "Higher Love." Over the years, Chaka Khan has left an indelible mark on the music industry, earning her the title "Queen of Funk."

Yvette Marie Stevens, known as Chaka Khan, was born on March 23, 1953, in Chicago, Illinois. She grew up in an artistic and bohemian household in the Hyde Park area, which she described as "an island in the middle of the madness" of Chicago's rough South Side housing projects. Chaka Khan is the eldest of five children born to Charles Stevens and Sandra Coleman. Her father was described as a beatnik, and her mother was known as someone "able to do anything."

Raised as a Catholic, Chaka Khan attended the elementary school of Saint Thomas the Apostle Church in Hyde Park. Her love for music was influenced by her grandmother, who introduced her to jazz at a young age. Chaka became a fan of rhythm and blues music as a preteen and formed a girl group called the Crystalettes at the age of eleven, which included her sister Taka.

In the late 1960s, Chaka Khan attended civil rights rallies with her father's second wife, Connie, who was a strong supporter of the movement. In 1967, she joined the Black Panther Party after befriending fellow member and activist Fred Hampton. Contrary to popular belief, she clarified that her name "Chaka Adunne Aduffe Hodarhi Karifi" was given to her at age 13 by a Yoruba Babalawo, not during her time in the Panthers.

In 1969, Chaka Khan left the Panthers and dropped out of high school, having attended Calumet High School and Kenwood High School. She started performing in small groups around Chicago, initially with Cash McCall's group Lyfe, where she met her then-boyfriend Hassan Khan. Chaka and Hassan got married in 1970.

Chaka Khan's music career took a significant turn when she was asked to replace Baby Huey of Baby Huey & the Babysitters after Huey's death in 1970. The group disbanded a year later. In 1972, she caught the attention of members of the new group Rufus and won her position in the group, replacing her friend Paulette McWilliams. Rufus recorded at Ike Turner's studio in Los Angeles, where Turner wanted Chaka to become an Ikette, but she declined, stating she was content with Rufus. Nonetheless, Ike Turner's attention was a boost for her burgeoning career.

During her time with Rufus, Chaka Khan gained immense popularity, particularly with the success of hit songs like "Tell Me Something Good" and "You Got the Love." These songs, along with others like "Once You Get Started," "Sweet Thing," "Hollywood," "At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up)," and "Do You Love What You Feel," contributed to the band's platinum-selling albums, including "Rags to Rufus," "Rufusized," "Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan," "Ask Rufus," "Street Player," and "Masterjam" released from 1974 to 1979.

Chaka Khan's powerful vocals and dynamic stage presence made her the star attraction of Rufus. Her performances, characterized by Native American-inspired attire and midriff-baring outfits, solidified her status as an iconic figure in funk music. She not only served as the lead vocalist but also showcased her skills as an instrumentalist, playing drums and bass, and providing percussion during her time with the band. Additionally, Khan collaborated on songwriting with guitarist Tony Maiden.

As the band continued to release successful albums and singles, tensions arose within the group, particularly between Chaka Khan and drummer Andre Fischer. Despite the challenges, Khan signed a solo contract with Warner Bros. Records in 1978, marking the beginning of her solo career while still being a part of Rufus.

While Chaka Khan worked on her solo endeavors, Rufus released three albums without her participation: "Numbers" (1979), "Party 'Til You're Broke" (1980), and "Seal in Red" (1983). Despite the changes within the band, Chaka Khan's influence and impact continued to resonate both within Rufus and in her solo career.

In 1978, Chaka Khan's solo career took off with the release of her debut album on Warner Bros. Records. The album featured the crossover disco hit "I'm Every Woman," a song written for her by the renowned singer-songwriters Ashford & Simpson. The success of the single propelled the album to platinum status, selling over a million copies. Khan also collaborated with Quincy Jones on his hit "Stuff Like That," released the same year, where she worked with Ashford & Simpson and performed alongside them.

In 1979, Khan reunited with Rufus for the Jones-produced album "Masterjam," which included the hit "Do You Love What You Feel," a duet with Tony Maiden. Despite occasional tensions within the band, Khan and Maiden maintained a friendship. In the same year, Khan dueted with Ry Cooder on his album "Bop Till You Drop" and honed her producing and writing skills at Ike Turner's Bolic Sound studio.

In 1980, while Rufus released "Party 'Til You're Broke" without Khan, she released her second solo album, "Naughty." The album featured the disco hit "Clouds" and the R&B ballad "Papillon." Additionally, Khan made a cameo appearance as a church choir soloist in the film "The Blues Brothers."

In 1981, Khan contributed to both a Rufus album, "Camouflage," and her solo album "What Cha' Gonna Do for Me," which achieved gold status. She also appeared on three tracks on Rick Wakeman's concept album "1984."

The following year, 1982, Khan released two more solo albums, "Echoes of an Era," with a jazz orientation, and a self-titled funk/pop album, "Chaka Khan." The track "Be Bop Medley" from the latter album earned Khan a Grammy and received praise from jazz singer Betty Carter for Khan's vocal scatting.

In 1983, after Rufus released their final studio album, "Seal in Red," without Khan, she returned with Rufus for a live album titled "Stompin' at the Savoy - Live." The album featured the studio single "Ain't Nobody," which became the group's last charting success, reaching No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the Hot R&B chart. Following this release, Rufus disbanded for good.

In 1984, Chaka Khan released her sixth studio album, "I Feel for You." The title track, originally written and recorded by Prince in 1979, featured a harmonica solo by Stevie Wonder and an introductory rap by Grandmaster Melle Mel. This rendition became a massive hit, topping the U.S. R&B and dance charts, reaching No. 1 in the U.K., and peaking at No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The song achieved remarkable success throughout 1985 and was listed as Billboard's No. 5 song for the year. Prince received the 1985 Grammy Award for Best R&B Song for his contribution. The accompanying music video, featuring breakdancers in an inner-city setting, garnered heavy rotation on television, further establishing Khan's presence in popular culture.

Other singles from the "I Feel For You" album, such as "This is My Night" and the ballad "Through the Fire," contributed to the album's platinum status. In 1986, Khan was featured in Steve Winwood's No. 1 hit, "Higher Love." Additionally, a duet with Robert Palmer for the song "Addicted To Love" was planned, but her manager opted not to release it at the time. Khan's vocal arrangements were credited in the album's liner notes, and the song became an international hit.

Khan continued her success in the late 1980s with albums like "Destiny" (1986) and "CK" (1988). She found further acclaim with the remix album "Life Is a Dance: The Remix Project," which reached the top ten on the British albums chart, leading to regular performances in the U.K.

In 1990, Khan collaborated with Ray Charles and Quincy Jones on the new jack swing cover of The Brothers Johnson's "I'll Be Good to You," earning them a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance By a Duo or Group. Her studio album "The Woman I Am" was released in 1992, featuring R&B hits like "Love You All My Lifetime" and "You Can Make the Story Right." Around the same time, she did a duet with Peter Cetera on "Feels Like Heaven."

In 1995, Khan had a hit with rapper Guru on the duet "Watch What You Say" in the U.K. She also contributed a contemporary R&B cover of the classic standard "My Funny Valentine" to the "Waiting to Exhale" soundtrack in 1995. Following the release of her greatest-hits album "Epiphany: The Best of Chaka Khan, Vol. 1" in 1996, Khan left Warner Bros., citing neglect and the failure to release her planned album "Dare You to Love Me."

In 1998, Chaka Khan signed a contract with Prince's NPG Records label and released "Come 2 My House," accompanied by the single "Don't Talk 2 Strangers," a cover of a 1996 Prince song. She embarked on a tour with Prince as a co-headlining act. However, she left NPG in 2000. In 2003, Khan released her autobiography, "Chaka! Through The Fire." The following year, she returned to jazz with the album "ClassiKhan," her first jazz covers album in twenty-two years. Additionally, she covered "Little Wing" with Kenny Olson on the album "Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix."

In 2006, Chaka Khan was featured on Arif Mardin's album "All My Friends Are Here" and appeared in the companion documentary "The Greatest Ears In Town." She performed a jazz vocal for the track "So Blue," composed by Mardin in the '60s.

Signing with Burgundy Records, Khan released what many critics deemed a "comeback album" titled "Funk This" in 2007. Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, along with Big Jim Wright, the album included the hit "Angel" and the Grammy-winning duet with Mary J. Blige, "Disrespectful," which topped the U.S. dance singles chart. "Funk This" earned Khan another Grammy for Best R&B Album and featured covers of Dee Dee Warwick's "Foolish Fool" and Prince's "Sign o' the Times." In 2008, Khan participated in the Broadway adaptation of "The Color Purple," playing the role of Ms. Sofia alongside Fantasia Barrino's Celie.

In December 2004, Chaka Khan was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music during the inauguration of its president, Roger H. Brown.

In a 2008 interview, Chaka Khan expressed optimism about the changes in the recording industry, including music downloading. She welcomed the shift, emphasizing that artists, not labels, should have more control over their art. Khan highlighted her past challenges with Warner Bros., stating that the label had unreleased recordings in its vaults, including Robert Palmer's original recording of "Addicted to Love," from which her vocals were removed. She expressed efforts to retrieve those tracks.

In 2009, Chaka Khan went on tour with singers Anastacia and Lulu for "Here Come the Girls." She also collaborated with jazz drummer Billy Cobham on the song "Alive" for his album "Drum 'n voice 3." Additionally, she contributed vocals to Beverley Knight's "Soul Survivor," collaborated with Clay Aiken on a song for the kids' show "Phineas and Ferb," and featured on Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai's album "The Last Ai." Khan and Ai won the International Collaboration Special Award at the 2010 Billboard Japan Music Awards for their collaborations.

On May 19, 2011, Chaka Khan was awarded the 2,440th Hollywood Walk of Fame star plaque on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. In September 2011, she and her former band Rufus were jointly nominated for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. In 2012, Khan performed at a benefit for the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), raising $14 million. This move generated attention given her earlier support for the Black Panther Party, which publicly supported Palestine.

On July 27, 2013, Chaka Khan was honored for her 40-year career with a ceremonial renaming of Blackstone Avenue in Chicago as Chaka Khan Way. The city also declared July 28 as Chaka Khan Day. In August 2014, she served as grand marshal at the Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic in Chicago.

In August 2015, Khan was announced as a contestant on season 21 of "Dancing with the Stars" but was the first couple eliminated. In July 2016, she canceled concert performances and entered rehab.

In June 2018, Chaka Khan released the single "Like Sugar," a collaboration with Major Lazer member Switch. She promoted the single on "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." "Like Sugar" is included in her 2019 album "Hello Happiness," released on February 15, 2019, marking her first album in twelve years.

Chaka Khan served as the Grand Marshal in the 2019 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade on January 1, 2019.

In October 2019, Khan was honored at Variety's "Power of Women" luncheon for supporting Little Kids Rock. She collaborated with Ariana Grande on the song "Nobody" from the "Charlie's Angels" soundtrack in November 2019.

In 2020, Khan participated in season 3 of "The Masked Singer" as "Miss Monster" but was eliminated and unmasked in the third episode. She was also invited to sing the National Anthem at the 2020 NBA All-Star Game, and her rendition received criticism on Twitter.

In May 2021, Chaka Khan appeared at the American Idol Season 19 finale, performing a medley of her hits alongside the contestants. In June 2021, she collaborated with YouTuber and performer Todrick Hall on the song "Fabulosity" from his album "Femuline." In November 2021, Khan participated in a Verzuz battle with singer Stephanie Mills.

In July 2022, Chaka Khan announced her new single "Woman Like Me," released on July 29.
In 2023, Rolling Stone ranked Chaka Khan at No. 29 on their list of the 200 Greatest Singers of All Time.

Chaka Khan has been married twice and has two children, daughter Indira Milini and son Damien Holland. Her first marriage was to Hassan Khan in 1970 when she was 17, and it ended in divorce shortly afterward. Milini's birth resulted from a relationship between Chaka Khan and Rahsaan Morris. She married her second husband, Richard Holland, in 1976. The marriage caused tension between Khan and some members of Rufus, especially Andre Fischer, as Holland wanted her to tone down her sexy stage image. The couple split in 1979, and Khan spent time in the studio with Ike Turner during that difficult time. Holland filed for divorce in 1980, citing "irreconcilable differences."

During her solo stardom in the mid-1980s, Khan dated a Chicago-area schoolteacher. After their separation, she moved to Europe, initially settling in London and later buying a residence in Germany. She lived in Germany for a while, residing in a village in the Rhine Valley and also in Mannheim.

Chaka Khan follows a vegan diet, adopting it to lose weight and address high blood pressure and Type-2 diabetes. She has struggled with drug abuse and alcoholism in the past. Her drug use, including cocaine and heroin, ended in the early 1990s, and she declared herself sober. She had an on-and-off struggle with alcoholism until 2005.

In 2006, Chaka Khan's son, Damien Holland, was accused of murder after 17-year-old Christopher Bailey was shot dead. Khan testified on her son's behalf, and Holland claimed the shooting was an accident. He was acquitted in the criminal trial but found liable in the civil suit.