Chaka Khan, one of the most dynamic and accomplished artists to debut during the early ’70s, secured her high standing as the frontperson of Rufus. A multiracial band that skillfully moved across soul, funk, rock, and jazz, they reached the mainstream with the slinking ‘Tell Me Something Good’ (1974), a Top Five pop hit that won a Grammy. Throughout the decade, they continuously placed albums within the upper reaches of the pop and R&B charts. Chaka Khan launched her solo career with ‘I’m Every Woman’ (1978), an anthemic crossover disco smash that led to eight additional Top Ten R&B hits. Among her indelible works are ‘Ain’t Nobody’ (with Rufus, 1983) and a cover of Prince’s ‘I Feel for You’ (1984), high-tech productions that showcased Khan’s inherent joy and power in her voice. Versatile throughout her five-decade career, Khan has recorded numerous jazz standards, heard in concentrated form on albums such as Echoes of an Era (1982) and Classikhan (2004). Her covers-oriented set Funk This (2007) resulted in two of her ten Grammy awards.
Raised in the Hyde Park neighborhood of Chicago’s South Side as Yvette Marie Stevens, Chaka Khan’s musical journey started at a young age when she formed her first group, the Crystalettes, at just 11 years old. Her involvement with the Afro-Arts Theater during high school exposed her to the music world, and she toured with Motown great Mary Wells. Khan’s political activism led her to join the Black Panther Party, adopting the name Chaka Karifi given to her by a Yoruba priest. After briefly being part of several bands, Khan found solid ground when she joined Rufus in 1973. With her radiant vocals and energizing stage presence, the band released several successful albums and scored multiple Top Ten hits, including the Grammy-winning ‘Tell Me Something Good.’ Transitioning to her solo career, Khan’s collaboration with producer Arif Mardin led to the release of her hit single ‘I’m Every Woman’ and the album ‘Chaka,’ showcasing her roots and musical versatility. Despite a successful solo career, Khan rejoined Rufus for ‘Masterjam’ and continued to release solo albums that dominated the R&B charts throughout the ’80s and ’90s.