UB Soul Friday: Celebrating the Captivating Chaka Khan

This weeks “UB Soul Friday” celebrates a woman, who for five decades has captivated us all Chaka Khan.

This year marks the 45th Anniversary of her sophomore album release “Naughty” and this week is the anniversary of her critically acclaimed release “Funk This.”

“UB Soul Friday,” spotlighting artists, albums, singles and videos that left a mark in R&B and Soul music!

Chaka Khan is one of the world’s most gifted and celebrated musicians, with a rich musical legacy.

The 10-time Grammy Award-winner is also a songwriter, actor, author, philanthropist, entrepreneur and activist.

Chaka Khan has influenced generations of recording artists, in her 50 year career.

She has the rare ability to sing in seven music genres, including R&B, pop, rock, gospel, country, world music and classical.

Chaka Khan was born Yvette Marie Stevens on March 23rd, 1953 at a Naval Base near Chicago, Illinois.

She’s the eldest of five children born to Charles Stevens and Sandra Coleman, 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 middle of the madness” of Chicago‘s rough South Side housing projects.

Her sister Yvonne later became a successful musician in her own right under the name Taka Boom.

Her only brother, Mark, who formed the funk group Aurra and the Jamaica Boys, also became a successful musician.

Khan was raised as a Catholic. She attended the elementary school of Saint Thomas the Apostle Church in Hyde Park.

She attributed her love of music to her grandmother, who introduced her to jazz as a child. Khan became a fan of rhythm and blues music as a pre-teen and at 11 formed a girl group, the Crystalettes, which included her sister Taka.

In the late 1960s, Chaka Khan attended several civil rights rallies with her father’s second wife, Connie, a strong supporter of the movement and joined the Black Panther Party after befriending a fellow member, activist and Chicago native Fred Hampton in 1967.

Though many think that she was given the name Chaka while in the Panthers, she has made it clear that her name Chaka Adunne Aduffe Hodarhi Karifi was given to her at age 13 by a Yoruba Baba.

Chaka means, fire, war, the color red, and the planet Mars.

Chaka‘s personality and spirit matched perfectly.

In 1969, she left the Panthers and dropped out of high-school, having attended Calumet High School and Kenwood High School (now Kenwood Academy).

Chaka‘s musical career began in her hometown of Chicago, where she left high school at 16 to perform in supper clubs.

After singing with a number of small local groups.

At 17, Chaka met & then married Hassan Khan.

The marriage didn’t last long, but in 1973 Chaka gave birth to a daughter named Milini.

Chaka met Rufus in 1972 when the group was known as American Breed.

At 18, Chaka found herself in Los Angeles, fronting a group of fledgling musicians of the group name Rufus.

She brought to the ensemble a vocal range that can only be described as primal.

Her impassioned and perfectly pitched contralto was in a class by itself.

When Chaka arrived on the music scene in 1973 as the feature singer for Rufus, one of the first multiracial bands.

They set the R&B and pop world on fire.

Chaka’s unprecedented contralto and incalculable vocal range, originality and delivery, and her physical presence, along with the band’s eclectic blend of funk, rock and pop, combined to set them apart.

Chaka was soon dubbed ‘Lil Aretha‘, and proof of her powerful voice was apparent in the band’s self titled debut album in 1973.

It’s follow up, “Rag’s To Rufus” in 1974, netted Rufus & Chaka‘s first Grammy for the song “Tell Me Something Good.”

The classic was written especially for Chaka by an admirer named Stevie Wonder.

In the years to come, Chaka and Rufus would prove to be one of the most popular and influential groups in music, effortlessly bridging the gap between pop, rock and soul.

In a decade, they notched 11 Billboard charted albums and 9 Billboard Top 40 hits, including “Sweet Thing”, “Once You Get Started” and “You Got The Love.”

The girl who had set out to become a singer had found stardom, and many other things associated with fame.

It was inevitable that one day Chaka would step out on her own, and when she did the results were nothing short of spectacular.

In 1978, Chaka teamed with legendary songwriters & singers Ashford & Simpson on the Quincy Jones classic “Stuff Like That.”

Later that same year Chaka released her solo debut “Chaka,” which yielded the smash hit single, “I’m Every Woman,” written by Ashford & Simpson.

Chaka was still a member of Rufus in 1978, and they had a hit with the “Street Player” album, and the classic anthem “Stay.”

As a soloist, Chaka‘s debut album was also the beginning of her fruitful creative relationship with legendary producer Arif Mardin, who previously made magic with Aretha Franklin, Donny Hathaway, and Bette Midler among others.

1978 would prove to be one of the most eventful years in Chaka‘s career, and it proved to be a special year in her personal life as well.

Son Damien Holland was born in 1978 (pregnant with him on the ‘Chaka’ album cover) to Chaka & her then husband Richard Holland, but the young diva had little time to sit still.

Once Chaka was ready to return to work, Rufus was more than ready to record. The group’s next album would be radically different from previous efforts, and slick production by Quincy Jones & Rod Temperton moved Rufus & Chaka into a new direction titled “Masterjam.”

Many of the players from Jones‘ recent hits (The Brothers Johnson & Patti Austin) participated in “Masterjam,” so the songs resembled tracks from “Off The Wall,” “The Dude,” and “Light Up The Night,” to an extent.

By mid 1979, “Do You Love What You Feel?” was released as the lead single from “Masterjam,” and would prove to be a smash.

The Quincy Jones produced album was released before 1979 came to a close.

Now that “Masterjam” was released, Chaka was ready to return to work with Arif Mardin on her sophomore solo album.

“Naughty” would be released during 1980, and it featured classics like “Clouds” (written by Ashford & Simpson), “Move Me No Mountain” & “Papillon (a.k.a. Hot Butterfly),” which was a cut destined to become a live-performance favorite.

“Papillon” is a special song for Chaka, and if you listen closely, you can hear Luther Vandross, Cissy Houston, and Whitney Houston (at 16 years of age) provide great background vocals.

“Naughty” would prove to be a successful project before 1980 came to a close, and Warner Bros. wanted Chaka‘s third album “A.S.A.P.”

In between a few live gigs, promotional appearances, and other responsibilities, Chaka returned to work with Arif Mardin toward the end of 1980, and the resulting album in 1981 would be another creative success to say the least.

Blazing into the 80’s, Chaka‘s “What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me?“, was released with great fanfare in 1981, and the title track became one of Chaka‘s biggest hits ever.

Arif Mardin produced things with Chaka‘s voice that were mind-blowing.

The album was eventually nominated for a Grammy Award, and it also featured “I Know You, I Live You,” “Night Moods” and the genre-splicing “And The Melody Lingers On (Night In Tunisia),” which features be-bop legend Dizzy Gillespie (Charlie Parker’s trumpet solo was spliced into the mix).

Chaka‘s love of jazz really flourished while working with Arif & Dizzy, and “And The Melody Lingers On,” which was one of the most vocally demanding songs that Chaka has ever recorded.

By 1981, Chaka was a soaring solo superstar, but she still had to honor her contract with Rufus, which required two more releases at this point, and to make matters tough, she wasn’t on good terms with her bandmates.

When all of the dust cleared, Chaka provided her vocals for the 1981 Rufus featuring Chaka Khan album titled “Camouflage.”

Chaka & Rufus were on such bad terms in 1980-81 that her image had to be digitally added to the group’s album photo because of circumstances.

Chaka wasn’t feeling “Camouflage” due to her booming solo career, and it would take another two years for the final Rufus & Chaka project’s release.

Following the highs & lows of 1981, Chaka eventually released the Mardin produced self-titled “Chaka Khan” in 1982.

Chaka‘s forth solo album contained more great music, including a stunning remake of Michael Jackson‘s “Got To Be There,” and a duet with the late Rick James titled “Slow Dancin.”

Chaka also earned another well-earned Grammy for her “Be Bop Medley,” which prompted the legendary Betty Carter to praise her skills in jazz vocal improvisation.

In addition to releasing the “Chaka Khan” album, Chaka provided vocals to the “Echoes Of An Era” album, which included other jazz greats (collectively known as ‘Griffith Park’) Herbie Hancock, Lenny White, Joe Henderson, Chick Corea, Freddie Hubbard, and Stanley Clarke.

This was the second in a series of three Griffith Park albums, and the great Nancy Wilson fronted the band on the live “Echoes” album later in 1982.

The Chaka fronted “Echoes Of An Era” album was finally released in 2003 by Rhino/WEA, featuring comments by Chaka & Lenny White, the album’s producer & drummer.

1983 saw a reunion of sorts as Chaka rejoined Rufus to record “Rufus and Chaka Khan Live: Stompin’ at the Savoy,” producing the watershed cut, “Ain’t Nobody,” which was also a Grammy winner in 1984.

Penned by the group’s Hawk Wolinski and recorded as a studio track, the song still enjoys a special place in Chaka‘s repertoire.

During Chaka’s tenure as lead singer for Rufus featuring Chaka Khan, the group had one platinum album, five gold albums, five gold singles, five Billboard #1 hits, and two Grammys.

Chaka proudly admitted, “Ain’t Nobody is one of my favorite songs. It’s a song I’ll be singing probably for the rest of my life.”

“Ain’t Nobody” also appeared on the soundtrack for the movie “Breakin” in 1983, and this was Hip-Hop‘s introduction to Chaka.

Chaka‘s “I Feel For You” released in 1984, spawned an across-the-board smash (and another Grammy) for the title track, which was composed & originally recorded by the late great Prince on his self-titled 1979 release.

With the amazing success of “I Feel For You,” Chaka continued to bond with lovers of rap music.

“I Feel For You” was one of Chaka‘s early connections to hip-hop music, and it featured Stevie Wonder and rapper Melle Mel.

In addition to the title track, “I Feel For You” also includes strong material like the classic ballad “Through the Fire” and “This Is My Night,” which was written & produced by The System (‘Don’t Disturb This Groove’).

In addition to the successful “I Feel For You,” Chaka was also a featured performer on the “Krush Groove” soundtrack in 1984 with the hip-hop classic “You Can’t Stop The Street,” and this capped off a big year for the diva.

After a busy 1984-85, Chaka returned with “Destiny” in 1986, and the results were surprising. “Destiny” featured productions by Arif & Joe Mardin, contributions by Phil Collins, and production by Dave Gamson (of Scritti Politti fame), to create a collection of songs steeped in synthesized pop, elements of rock, with a hint of R&B.

Most of Chaka‘s longtime fans were thrown for a loop, and “Destiny” wasn’t as big as it’s predecessor, but songs like “Tight Fit” & “Love Of a Lifetime” ended up being successful singles.

Chaka also received a Grammy nomination for “Destiny” the following year, but with tracks like “Earth To Mickey,” the album didn’t fare as well as expected.

After a much deserved break, Chaka released the ambitious “C.K.” album in 1988.

Produced by a variety of producers, “C.K.” presented Chaka in a new arena of sorts as she performed two impressive jazz standards alongside her expected R&B.

Chaka was joined by many legends including Miles Davis, George Benson & Prince, plus Bobby McFerrin & Chris Jasper among others.

“C.K.” proved to be an improvement over “Destiny” with it’s singles; “It’s My Party,” “Baby Me,” and “Soul Talkin’,” but in the end, Warner Bros. was not satisfied because it failed to reach the level of “I Feel For You.”

In addition to the aforementioned singles, it included more jazz, and in an evocative nod to her musical mentor Billie Holiday.

Chaka included “The End Of A Love Affair” (from Lady Day’s classic ‘Lady In Satin’) & “I’ll Be Around.”

Chaka’s duets with Ray Charles for Quincy Jones “Back On The Block” on “I’ll Be Good To You” and Stevie Winwood‘s “Higher Love,” were both Grammy winners.

Following “C.K.,” Chaka spent a three year hiatus recording on many side projects, a few concerts, and she even moved to London.

Warner Bros. also had major shift within the company, and Chaka was relegated to it’s Reprise imprint for her next project.

Eventually, Chaka released the Grammy Award winning “The Woman I Am” in 1992 to rave reviews, and once again, it didn’t receive the promotion from Reprise/WEA that it deserved.

The project was mildly successful, and Chaka was executive producer for “The Woman I Am,” which spawned “Love You All My Lifetime,” “Give Me All,” and the club anthem, “I Want.”

Following the success her 1992 release, Chaka continued to move forward recording with Prince, Dave Gamson, Me’Shell N’degeocello, and others for her next project.

When Chaka finally completed her next album “Dare You To Love Me” in 1995, Warner Bros. shelved it.

That same year, Chaka was awarded The Diamond Life Award For Excellence by The International Association of African American Music (IAAAM).

In 1993 she received an ASCAP POP Award for Most played song, “Sweet Thing” the classic that she wrote.

She also diversified her creativity. She was featured in a lead role in the London West End production of “Mama, I Want To Sing,” for which she received London’s 1995 Capitol Radio Listener’s Poll Award for “London’s Best Actress.”

In 1996, the state of Illinois and the city of Chicago declared October 19th “Chaka Khan Day.”

Chaka appeared on the “Set It Off” soundtrack on the song “Missing You,” which had her singing with Gladys Knight, Brandy and Tamia.

Chaka was forced to release 1996‘s “Epiphany-Best Of“, and it featured many tracks from the “Dare You To Love Me” project, while others were eventually included on different movie soundtracks throughout the years.

Chaka kept her head up through it all, and actively promoted “Epiphany,” but her relationship with Reprise/WEA was coming to a close after years of neglect by the label.

Of the new material on “Epiphany,” David Gamson (who also produced Chaka’s 1986 single “Love Of A Lifetime”), provided the catalyst for the album’s first single, “Never Miss The Water,” a dynamic collaboration between Chaka and Me’shell N’degeocello.

Gamson was a key producer on Me’Shell‘s classic debut album, “Plantation Lullibies” in addition to previous work with Chaka on “Destiny” (1986), so everything worked out perfectly.

Chaka stated: “She played bass on almost everything he did with other artists. I liked her immediately when we met. Of course, I just fall in love with any chick who’s playing an instrument and doing her music–that is just so wonderful to see. When I got into her music and saw what she was about it was like , Yes, this is a marriage made in heaven.” Chaka continued; “She’s got another way of talking, and that moved me.”

Other songs released on “Epiphany” include “Everywhere,” which was originally performed by Fleetwood Mac. “I love Fleetwood Mac,” Chaka asserted. “I listen to Joni Mitchell, Fleetwood Mac, The Doors – I listen to a lot of rock. It’s one of my main loves. I eventually want to do some rock.”

In 2001 she a featured performer on the Soul Train Hall Of Fame show, which honored Luther Vandross.

Rufus & Chaka Khan reunited as the opening act for Earth, Wind & Fire from September 2001 through early October 2001, and the overwhelming response from critics & fans was that ‘the magic‘ was still there.

In 2003, she released her autobiography, “Chaka! Through the Fire.”

In 2008 Chaka made her Broadway debut as Sofia in The Color Purple.

Chaka Khan received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2011.

In 2007, she released “Funk This,” with duets with Mary J. Blige and Michael McDonald. Her former Rufus bandmate Tony Maiden was also a guest artist on guitar. She won two Grammy Awards for the project.

The album celebrated it’s release anniversary just this week.

In 2019 she released “Hello Happiness,” her 12th studio album.

Chaka Khan was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2023.

Currently, fans can see Chaka Khan live as she tours with other legendary female artists Patti LaBelle, Gladys Knight and Stephanie Mills on the second leg of the “Queens Tour.”

In the course of her solo career, Chaka Khan achieved three gold singles, three gold albums, and one platinum album with “I Feel for You.”

She’s performed with artists as diverse as her dear friend, Joni Mitchell, from Manhattan Transfer, Quincy Jones, Robert Palmer, Ray Charles, Gladys Knight, Dizzy Gillespie and Joe Henderson, to Me’Shell Ndegeocello, Lenny White, Bobby McFerrin, Lionel Hampton, Eric Clapton, Fourplay, Stanley Clarke, Ry Cooder, Bruce Hornsby, Guru, Phil Collins, and Miles Davis.

A songwriter, actor, author, philanthropist, entrepreneur and activist, Chaka Khan has influenced generations of recording artists.

She has the rare ability to sing in seven music genres, R&B, pop, rock, gospel, country, world music and classical.

Affectionately known around the world as Chaka, she is revered by millions of fans as well as her peers for her timeless, classic and unmatched signature music style and ability.

Take A Trip Down Memory Lane with Chaka Khan!