Chaka Khan

At 71 years old, Chaka Khan has this physical status:

Yvette Marie Stevens (born March 23, 1953), better known by her stage name Chaka Khan, is an American singer and songwriter.

Her career spans nearly five decades, beginning in the 1970s as the lead vocalist of Rufus's funk band Rufus.

Khan gained acclaim for her voice and appearance.

Khan, also known as the Queen of Funk, was the first R&B artist to have a crossover hit starring a rapper in 1984 with "I Feel for You."

Khan has received ten Grammy Awards and has sold an estimated 70 million copies around the world in her solo career. She has released three gold singles, three gold albums, and one platinum version of I Feel for You.

With Rufus, she has won four gold singles, four gold albums, and two platinum albums.

Mary J. Blige, Robert Palmer, Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Guru, Chicago, De la Soul, and others have all collaborated with Ry Cooder, Robert Palmer, Robert Palmer, Ray Charles, Mary J. Blige.

Billboard magazine ranked her as the country's fifth most influential dancer of all time in December 2016.

She ranked 17th in VH1's original list of the 100 Greatest Women of Rock & Roll.

She has twice been nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame; she was first inducted as a member of Rufus in 2011.

Early life

Yvette Marie Stevens was born in Chicago, Illinois, on March 23, 1953, into an artistic, bohemian household. She has described her father as a beatnik and her mother as "able to do anything." She was raised in the Hyde Park area, "an island in the midst of Chicago's turbulent South Side housing projects." Yvonne's sister Yvonne became a success musician in her own right under the name Taka Boom. Mark, her only brother, who founded the Jamaica Boys and was a member of Aurra, has gone on to become a popular musician. Zaheva Stevens and Tammy McCrary are her two older sisters.

Khan was raised as a Catholic. She attended Saint Thomas the Apostle Church in Hyde Park's elementary school. She owed her love of music to her grandmother, who introduced her to jazz as a child. As a youth, Khan was a huge fan of rhythm and blues music, and the Crystalettes, a girl group that included her sister Taka, formed a girl band at eleven. Khan attended several civil rights rallies with her father's second wife, Connie, a strong advocate of the movement, and joined the Black Panther Party after befriending fellow activist and Chicago native Fred Hampton in 1967. Despite most believing she was given Chaka while in the Panthers, she has made it clear that Chaka Adunne Hodarhi Karifi was given to her at age 13 by a Yoruba Baba lawo. She left the Panthers and dropped out of high school in 1969, having attended Calumet High School and Kenwood High School (now Kenwood Academy). She began performing in small groups around Chicago, first with Cash McCall's company Lyfe, which featured her then-boyfriend Hassan Khan. In 1970, Chaka and Hassan married.

After Huey's death in 1970, she was asked to replace Baby Huey and the Babysitters. A year later, the group was disbanded. Khan was discovered by two members of a new band called Rufus and soon assumed her role in the band, replacing her mentor Paulette McWilliams, who had recently left the band. The group attracted the attention of musician Ike Turner, who travelled them out to Los Angeles to record at his studio Bolic Sound in Inglewood, California. Turner wanted Khan to be an Ikette, but she declined, saying she was "very happy with Rufus." However, Ike's interest was definitely boosted."

Personal life

Khan has been married twice and is the mother of two, daughter Indira Milini, and son Damien Holland. She first married Hassan Khan in 1970, but she ended in divorce a short time later. Milini's birth was the result of a friendship between Chaka Khan and Rahsaan Morris. In 1976, Khan married Richard Holland, her second husband. According to reports, Khan and several members of Rufus, including Andre Fischer, caused a rift between Khan and several others. Holland wanted her to tone down her sexy stage image, but she declined. Khan spent time in the studio with Ike Turner, who she described as a "true inspiration and a catalyst in other ways as well" during that difficult period. In 1980, Holland applied for divorce, citing "irreconcilable contradictions" as the reason. In the midst of her solo fame, Khan dated a Chicago-area schoolteacher in the mid-1980s. Following their separation, Khan moved to Europe, first settling in London and then purchasing a house in Germany. She lived in Germany for a while "in a little village in the Rhine Valley" and then in Mannheim.

Khan is vegan, and she adopted the diet to lose weight and combat elevated blood pressure and Type-2 diabetes. Khan has struggled with heroin use and alcoholism in the past. In the early 1990s, her heroin use, which included cocaine and opium, came to an end. Khan suffered with alcoholism from start to finish, with him announcing herself sober.

Since 17-year-old Christopher Bailey was shot dead in 2006, she and her son Damien Holland were charged with murder. Khan testified on behalf of her son. The shooting was accidental, according to Holland. He was cleared in the criminal trial and found guilty in the civil lawsuit.

Khan, who appeared at both the 2000 Democratic and Republican conventions, claims she is more of a "Democratic-minded person."

Khan appeared in a 2013 episode of Celebrity Ghost Stories, in which she told the tale of a shadow man who followed her on tour for years before she was confronted with a guardian angel who advised her to change her life or die.

In November 2020, Khan was inducted as an honorary member of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc.

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Career

Rufus debuted their eponymous debut album in 1973. Despite the album's fiery interpretation of Stevie Wonder's "Maybe Your Baby" from Wonder's famed Talking Book and modest success of "Who's Thrilling You" ("Is Killing Me)," the film failed to capture interest. Wonder himself joined the group on a song he had written for Khan when he was a kid at that time. The group's breakthrough hit, "Tell Me Something Good," debuted on No. 1, earning No. 81. In 1974, three of the Billboard Hot 100 were ranked third in the country's first Grammy Award. The single's success and its sequel, "You Got the Love," at No. 1 in the United States, soared. Billboard Hot 100 and No. 11 are among the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 10. Rags to Rufus, the R&B's second parent album, has sold more than 500,000 copies. Rufus released six platinum-selling albums from 1974 to 1979, including Chaka Khan, Ask Rufus, Street Player, and Masterjam. "Once You Get Started," "Sweet Thing," "Hollywood")," "At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up)," and "Do You Love What You Feel" were among the group's hits during this period.

Khan made a name for herself as a live performance act, with her strong vocals and stage attire, which sometimes featured Native American garb and showing her midriff. With few exceptions, the bulk of the band's content was written and produced by the band itself. Khan has been known as a player who plays drums and bass; during her tenure with Rufus, she also played drums and bass; she also played percussion. The majority of her compositions were created in collaboration with guitarist Tony Maiden. Khan's friendship with the company, particularly between her and drummer Andre Fischer, became tumultuous. Several members were left with almost every release. Although Khan remained in the organization, she signed a solo deal with Warner Bros. in 1978. While Khan was busy creating solo albums, Rufus released three albums without her presence, including 1979's Numbers, 1980's Party 'Til You're Broke, and 1983's Seal in Red.

In 1978, Warner Bros. Records released Khan's solo debut album, "I'm Every Woman," written for her by singers-songwriters Ashford & Simpson. The single's success made the album a hit, with over a million copies sold. Khan also appeared on Quincy Jones' "Stuff Like That," which also included Ashford & Simpson as co-writers, as well as Jones and several others. On the song, Ashford & Simpson performed with Khan.

Khan reunited with Rufus in 1979 to produce "Do You Love What You Feel," which Khan performed with Tony Maiden. Despite her often-acrimonious friendship with some of her bandmates, Khan and Maiden have forged a close friendship over the years. In 1979, she appeared on his album Bop Till You Drop with Ry Cooder. At Ike Turner's Bolic Sound studio, she spent time this year improving her writing and producing skills. They had intended to perform together. She released her second solo album, Naughty, in 1980, while Rufus released Party 'Til You're Broke's, she released her second solo album, Naughty, which featured her six-year-old daughter Milini on the front. The album contained "Clouds" and the R&B ballad "Papillon."

Khan appeared in The Blues Brothers in 1980, starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. Khan's 1981 album Two albums, the Rufus release, Camouflage, and the solo album What Cha' Gonna Do for Me. The new album went gold. Khan appeared on three tracks on Rick Wakeman's concept album 1984. Khan released two more solo albums, the jazz-oriented Echoes of an Age, and Chaka Khan's more funk/pop-oriented self-titled album. Khan's track, the jazz-inflected "Be Bop Medley," received a Grammy Award and praise from jazz singer Betty Carter, who adored Khan's vocal scatting in the film.

Following the success of Rufus' final studio album, Seal in Red, which did not include Khan, the singer appeared on a live album, Stompin' at the Savoy - Live, which featured the studio single "Ain't Nobody" which culminated in the group's final charting success, peaking at No. 78. On the Billboard Hot 100 and Number one on the Hot R&B chart, it is number 22 while still placing in the top ten in the United Kingdom. Rufus was not happy after this announcement.

I Feel for You, Khan's sixth studio album, was released in 1984. The title song, which was the first single to be released by Prince in 1979, was also recorded by The Pointer Sisters and Rebbie Jackson. The Khan's version featured a harmonica solo by Stevie Wonder as well as Grandmaster Melle Mel's introduction. It was a million-selling smash in the United States and United Kingdom, and it helped to relaunch Khan's career. "I Feel for You" topped not only the U.S. pop chart, but also made a lot of money on the US pop chart and landed at No. 1 on the US pop chart, but it also climbed to No. 1 on the US pop chart. In the United Kingdom, there is a one. The song debuted at No. 1 on the charts. 3 appeared on the Billboard Hot 100 in December 1984 and stayed on that list for 26 weeks well into 1985. In addition, it reached No. 4 on the charts. On the Cash Box chart, there is 1:1. It was rated as Billboard's No. 1 on the charts. Best R&B Song at 85 in 1985 and 85 for netted Prince. A music video of Khan with breakdancers in an inner-city setting received a lot of attention on television and helped to solidify Khan's notoriety in popular culture, in addition to the song's success radio airplay and sales.

"This Is My Night" and "Through the Fire," two other singles that contributed to the album's success on the adult contemporary chart. Khan appeared in Steve Winwood's 1986 hit "All Love." A duet with Robert Palmer was planned for the song "Addicted to Love" earlier this year. However, her boss refused to announce the duet, citing the inability of not to have too much product from her in the store at one time. She was still responsible for the vocal arrangements on the album's liner notes, and the album became a worldwide hit. Khan matched the popularity of the I Feel For You album with Destiny's 1986 and 1988's CK. Khan's life Is a Dance: The Remix Project, a remix album that debuted on the British albums chart, found him in the late 1980s. As a result, she appeared regularly in the United Kingdom, where she had a large fan base.

When she joined Ray Charles and Quincy Jones on a new jack swing cover of The Brothers Johnson's "I'll Be Good to You" in 1990, she was featured on Jones' Back on the Block. The album debuted at No. 7 on the charts. 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1; 18 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1; No. The R&B chart's number one on the R&B chart, with Heather and Ray Charles competing for Best R&B Vocal Performance By a Duo or Group. Khan's first studio album in four years, The Woman I Am, was a huge hit in 1992 due to the R&B's "Love You All My Lifetime" and "You Can Make the Story Right." Around this time, Khan performed a duet with Peter Cetera on the album "Feels Like Heaven," which was a minor success. ...

Khan also worked on a sequel to The Woman I Am titled Dare You to Love Me, which was eventually shelved. In 1995, she and rapper Guru were hit with the duet "Watch What You Say" in the United Kingdom. That same year, she and her brother Robert Astor compiled a contemporary R&B version of the Waiting to Exhale soundtrack. Epiphany: The Best of Chaka Khan, Vol. 96, 1996, following the introduction of her greatest-hits album, Epiphany: The Best of Chaka Khan, Vol. 1, Khan recently left Warner Bros. after stating that the brand had neglected her and refused to announce Dare You to Love Me.

Khan signed a deal with Prince's NPG Records in 1998 and released Come 2 My House, followed by the single "Don't Talk 2 Strangers," a homage to a 1996 Prince song. She then went on a tour with Prince as a co-headlining act. Khan left NPG in 2000 and published her autobiography Chaka! In 2003, there was a fire in The Fire. With ClassiKhan's 2004 debut, she released her first jazz covers album in twenty-two years. On the album Power of Soul: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix, she also covered "Little Wing" with Kenny Olson.

Khan appeared on Arif Mardin's All My Families Are Here album of his life's work in 2006, as well as in the companion film The Greatest Ears In Town. She performed a jazz vocal for "So Blue," a Mardin '60s jazz album, with lyrics written for the project by Roxanne Seeman.

Khan released what many commentators referred to as a "comeback album" with Funk This, which was produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis & Big Jim Wright, after signing with Burgundy Records. "Angel" was a hit on the album, as well as the Mary J. Blige duet "Disrespectful." The former racer took No. 1 at No. 301. The singers received a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album on the US dance charts, while Funk This is also won a Grammy Award for Best R&B Album. The album was also notable for Khan's coverage of Dee Warwick's "Foolish Fool" and Prince's "Sign o' the Times," as well as Prince's "Sign o' the Times." In 2008, Khan appeared in The Color Purple's Broadway version, playing Ms. Sofia to Fantasia Barrino's Celie.

During the inauguration of its president, Roger H. Brown, in December 2004, Khan was named an Honorary Doctorate of Music from Berklee College of Music.

Khan, in a 2008 interview, said she, unlike other musicians, was extremely optimistic about the forthcoming changes in the music market, including music downloading. "I'm glad that things are shifting and artists, not brands, are gaining more influence over their art." Warner Bros., my former major record label, has vaulted recordings of my songs that haven't seen the light of day and are worth seeking out. This includes Robert Palmer's first recording of 'Addicted to Love,' which they cut my vocals off of! We're trying to get it (and other tracks) back to normalcy. Khan and Anastacia and Lulu performed on Here Come the Girls, a 2009 tour.

Khan appeared on "Alive" on jazz drummer Billy Cobham's album Drum 'n voice 3. She appeared on "One More Try" and a cover of her Japanese-American singer-songwriter Ai's eighth studio album "The Last Ai" on Beverley Knight's "Soul Survivor" in 2010, collaborated with Clay Aiken on a song for the kids show Phineas and Ferb, and appeared as a featured artist on her album "The Last Ai." Both Khan and Ai were nominated for and received the International Collaboration Special Award at the 2010 Billboard Japan Music Awards for their respective works. Both in the United States and abroad, Khan continues to perform to packed audiences.

Khan was given the 2,440th Hollywood Walk of Fame star plaque on a Los Angeles stretch of Hollywood Boulevard on May 19, 2011. When the singer accepted the award, her family was present, as well as Stevie Wonder, who had written her breakout hit "Tell Me Something Good." Khan and her former band Rufus were nominated for induction into the hall on September 27, 2011. It was the first time the company had been nominated 13 years ago, when they had been first eligible. The group was nominated partially due to Khan's own storied reputation, as well as her time with Rufus. Khan rerecorded her album "Extreme Life: Fear Kills, Love Heals" with Eric Benet, Kelly Price, and Luke James in honor of Trayvon Martin, a teen who was killed on February 26. Loretta Devine, Terry Crews, Eva Pigford, and reporter Kevin Frazier were among the celebrities who participated in the film.

Khan appeared at a charity for the Israeli Defense Forces on December 6, 2012. (IDF) Stevie Wonder had been invited to the IDF, but after a fruitful lobbying effort by the US Campaign to End the Israeli Occupation, Wonder Withdrew and was replaced by Khan, who was able to raise $14 million for the IDF. This support contrasted with her earlier support for the Black Panther Party, which openly supported Palestine.

Khan was honored 40 years after formally renaming Blackstone Avenue between 50th and 51st street (where her former high school, Kenwood Academy, is located) on July 27, 2013. Chaka Khan Way is a form of pride in the city. On the 28th of September, she appeared at Millennium Park's Pritzker Pavilion. Khan served as grand marshal at the 85th annual Bud Billiken Parade and Picnic in Chicago, Illinois.

Khan was named one of the celebrities to watch on season 21 of Dancing with the Stars on August 27, 2015. Keo Motsepe, a professional dancer, had been paired with her. On September 21, 2015, Khan and Motsepe were the first couple to be barred from the competition. In July 2016, she called off her upcoming concert appearances and went back to rehab.

Switch, a Major Lazer member, released "Like Sugar" in June 2018. Later, she went on to advertise the single on Ellen's show. "Like Sugar" is included on her 2019 album Hello Happiness. The album was released on February 15, 2019, marking the first album in ten years.

In the 2019 Pasadena Tournament of Roses Parade, Khan was Grand Marshal in Pasadena, California.

Khan was a hero at Variety's "Power of Women" luncheon in October 2019 for promoting Little Kids Rock. Mariah Carey, Jennifer Aniston, Brie Larson, Awkwafina, and Dana Walden were among the other honorees. Khan collaborated with Ariana Grande on the album "Nobody" from Charlie's Angels in November 2019.

Khan appeared in season 3 of The Masked Singer as "Miss Monster" in 2020. In the third episode, she was deleted and unveiled.

Khan was invited to sing the National Anthem at the 2020 NBA All-Star Game. On Twitter, her performance was heavily mocked, comparing Fergie's version to Fergie's in 2018.

Khan appeared at the season 19 American Idol final in May 2021, where she performed a medley of her hits with the contestants. Khan's YouTuber and performer Todrick Hall appeared on his album Femuline in June 2021. Khan performed hits from their discography in November 2021.

Khan's latest single "Woman Like Me" was released in July 2022 and will be released on July 29.

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