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Chaka Khan

From HitStory, the pop encyclopedia of School of Rock · Artist

Chaka Khan is the stage name of Yvette Marie Stevens, an American singer and songwriter, born in 1953 in Chicago. She grew up in the Hyde Park district on the south side of the city. Her career began in the early 1970s as lead singer of the funk band Rufus. With the band she had hits such as Tell Me Something Good, Sweet Thing, Do You Love What You Feel and the platinum Ain't Nobody. Albums by the group include Rags to Rufus in 1974, Rufusized in 1974 and Ask Rufus in 1977.

Music and breakthrough

Her solo debut Chaka from 1978 contained I'm Every Woman, a number one on the R&B chart and later a pop success for Whitney Houston. What Cha' Gonna Do for Me followed, and in 1984 her version of Prince's I Feel for You, with which she became the first R&B artist to have a crossover hit with a rapper. Through the Fire is also among her hits. In 1986 she made Higher Love with Steve Winwood, a number one on the Billboard Hot 100. She worked with, among others, Ry Cooder, Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Miles Davis, Chick Corea and Joni Mitchell, and received eleven Grammys, including a Lifetime Achievement Award. In 2023 she was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

Influence

Khan is called the Queen of Funk. Her voice is powerful, agile and full of soul, and she shows how funk, R&B, pop and jazz come together in a single voice.

Listening

Listening tip. Listen to I Feel for You and notice her voice and the rap in between. Hear how the repeated name in the chorus is given an electronic, danceable rhythm.

Discography

Studio albums

See also

Categories: Artists