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Chaka Khan

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Image:CK4267-1000.jpg Born Yvette Marie Stevens on March 23, 1953 in Great Lakes, Illinois, Chaka Khan is an American singer best known for her 1984 cover of Prince's "I Feel For You," and as a member of the funk band Rufus. In her career she has earned many accolades, including eight Grammy awards. Though regarded an R&B singer, she has in fact explored numerous musical genres including funk, disco, jazz, ballads, hip hop, adult contemporary and pop standards.

Contents

[edit] Early life

Khan was raised on Chicago's South Side, and at the age of 11 formed her first group, the Crystalettes. While still in high school, she joined the Afro-Arts Theater, a group which toured with Motown great Mary Wells; a few years later, she adopted the African name Chaka Khan while working as a volunteer on the Black Panthers' Free Breakfast for Children program. After quitting high school in 1969, Khan joined the group Lyfe, soon exiting to join another dance band, The Babysitters; neither was on the fast track to success, but her fortunes changed when she teamed with ex-American Breed member Kevin Murphy and André Fisher to form Rufus.

[edit] Life with Rufus

Debuting in 1973 with a self-titled effort on the ABC label, Rufus was among the pre-eminent funk groups of the decade; distinguished by Khan's dynamic vocals. With the help of Stevie Wonder, Rufus broke into both the pop music and R&B charts in 1974 with the hit "Tell Me Something Good". Throughout the 1970s and early 1980s, the band had a number of R&B hits, including "Tell Me Something Good", "Masterjam", "Sweet Thing", "Do You Love What You Feel?", and "Once You Get Started". The group earned half a dozen gold or platinum albums and two gold singles with "Tell Me Something Good" and "Sweet Thing" before she went solo in 1978.

[edit] Solo Stardom

In 1978, Khan recorded her highly-orchestrated Arif Mardin-produced disco smash hit "I'm Every Woman" (#1 R&B and #21 Pop, and a bigger Pop hit over a decade later for Whitney Houston), from the album Chaka. Chaka proved to be a significant hit on the strength of the single (which was composed by Ashord & Simpson) however, Khan's success was somewhat tempered by her public rivalry with the remaining members of Rufus, to whom she was contractually bound for two more LPs. As a solo artist, Khan recorded backing vocals for Ry Cooder's 1979 effort "Bop Till You Drop," then cut her sophomore album, 1980's Naughty, a minor hit on the R&B charts, which featured 'Clouds' (also by Ashford & Simpson), 'Move Me No Mountain', and other songs that displayed Chaka's range as a singer. The 'Naughty' album also featured Luther Vandross, Cissy Houston, and a young Whitney Houston singing backgrond vocals. Her next album, What Cha' Gonna Do for Me ?, was a moderate seller and included at least two hit singles on Billboard's R&B Singles chart, including the title song (which topped the R&B chart and made #53 Pop). Chaka's 'Night In Tunisia (The Melody Remains The Same)' is also a timeless classic (featuring Dizzy Gillespie & Herbie Hancock) from the album, which has Chaka hitting 'notes that aren't in the book' (according to her legendary producer Arif Mardin). In 1982, Warner Brothers released the Arif Mardin produced 'Chaka Khan' album. This album featured the single 'Tearin It Up', as well as Chaka's awesome reading of Michael Jackson's 'Got To Be There'. 'Slow Dancin' (a duet with the late Rick James) was also featured, but her 'Be Bop Medley' won the Diva a Grammy Award, as well as praise from jazz legend Betty Carter, who praised Chaka for her improvisational skills. 'Chaka Khan' was critically acclaimed, but it was not the huge hit that Warner Brothers wanted. The CD edition of 'Chaka Khan' is a rare collector's item because Warner Brothers refuses to release it in the United States. Fans can expect to pay almost $100.00 for mint CDs imported from Japan.

[edit] A jazz experiment

In 1982, Khan recorded Echoes Of An Era, a collection of jazz standards featuring performances from Freddie Hubbard, Joe Henderson, Stanley Clarke, Chick Corea and Lenny White. 1983 saw Chaka return to Rufus to record her last contractually obligated album Stompin' At The Savoy: Live. The double album contained live versions of Rufus classics, Khan's solo hits and a handful of newly recorded tracks. One of these was the hit "Ain't Nobody," which returned Khan to the top of the urban and top 40 charts (#22 Pop). To make room for the new studio tracks, Warner Brothers omitted live versions of 'Everlasting Love' (which was released on the RARE 1983 soundtrack to 'Night Shift'), 'The Best Of Your Heart' and 'Hollywood'.

[edit] Hip hop phenomenon

Her pop career was on shaky ground when she released 1984's I Feel For You, a platinum-seller launched by its title cut, a Grammy-winning, hip hop-based rendition of a fairly obscure Prince album track with a cameo appearance by Stevie Wonder on harmonica and rap by Melle Mel, which launched her recording career back into full gear. Produced by David Foster, the popular ballad "Through The Fire" also reached the R&B top ten, setting a record (since broken) for spending the most consecutive weeks on the Billboard R&B chart, made #60 Pop during a 19-week run on the Hot 100, and crossed over to the adult contemporary chart. "Through The Fire" has since been sampled by Kanye West for his hit single "Through The Wire". Chaka also recorded 'Krush Groove (Can't Stop The Street)' for the movie Krush Groove in 1985.

[edit] 1990s to now

Still, while subsequent LPs like 1986's Destiny and 1988's C.K. kept Khan riding high on the R&B charts, her standing in pop's mainstream again began to wane, and by the end of the 1980s she had moved to Europe. Not forgotten back in America, in 1990, she won another Grammy for "I'll Be Good To You," a duet with Ray Charles and another #1 R&B and Top 20 Pop hit.

In 1992, Chaka Khan released her album The Woman I Am, for which she received a Grammy award for best Rhythm & Blues vocal performance. The album's hit single "Love You All My Lifetime" was penned by German hit songwriter duo Irmgard Klarmann and Felix Weber and was produced by David Gamson. According to the Chaka's World Website, Khan recorded a follow up album, "Dare You To Love Me", which was to be released in 1995. Warner Brothers shelved the project (although several of the tracks appeared on subsequent soundtracks and on a career retropsective titled Epiphany: The Very Best of Chaka Khan. She also made appearances on the soundtracks of To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar and Waiting To Exhale (singing the standard "My Funny Valentine"). Chaka Khan soon left Warner Brothers because of a lack of promotion and after the label had decided to release the 'Epiphany' compilation instead of 'Dare You To Love Me' in its true form. Prince (who also fueded with the company) assisted Chaka in leaving Warner Brothers. Chaka eventually made a special agreement with 'The Artist' (a.k.a.Prince), and recorded her next album on his New Power Generation label.

Her Prince-produced album, Come 2 My House appeared in 1998, and eventually went gold despite little or no promotion. Chaka also appeared on new CDs by Prince & Larry Graham for the New Power Generation Label, and toured in support for the projects. In 2001, Chaka sang on De La Soul's hit song "All Good?". In 2002 she was an integral part of the documentary about the legendary Motown studio musicians The Funk Brothers, Standing In The Shadows Of Motown, which she performed the classic R&B songs "What's Going On?" (she won her 8th Grammy Award for this performance) and the last live song performed and emotional peak in the film, "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (a duet with Montell Jordan).

In October 2004, Chaka Khan released her cover album "ClassiKhan" by her own label Earth Song Records and Sanctuary Records. An album of standards featuring the London Symphony Orchestra and recorded primarily at Abbey Road Studios in London. The entire album was Produced by Eve Nelson of Nelson-O'Reilly Productions who also conducted the London Symphony Orchestra.

On December 3 2004, she received an honorary doctorate degree from Berklee College of Music. She is also active in the autism community as she has family members who have been diagnosed.

Her EarthSong Entertainment and Chaka Khan Foundation operate from Beverly Hills, California. She continues to record and perform with her distinctive and powerful voice. In the beginning of 2006, she signed with Sony BMG's new label, Burgandy Records, to release her upcoming studio set "I-Khan Divas" in 2007.

In October 2006 Chaka Khan was seen on the Trinity Broadcasting Network .

[edit] Miscellany

  • She was only 20 when she joined Rufus.
  • She showcased her vocal talents as the choir soloist in the 1980 film The Blues Brothers.
  • Featured on Rick Wakeman's album 1984.
  • Featured on Stevie Winwood's "Higher Love". Chaka sang & produced the prominent background vocals.
  • According to the 'Chaka's World' website, Chaka was originally scheduled to duet on Tom Browne's hit "Funkin' For Jamaica" and Dennis Edwards' hit "Don't Look Any Further" (which he went on to perform with Siedah Garrett). She also recorded the song "Addicted to Love" with Robert Palmer. Her vocals were later removed after her management refused to allow its release.
  • Although she sang at both the 2000 Democratic and Republican conventions, Khan says that she is more of a "Democratic-minded person." [1]
  • Good friends with The Bee Gees.
  • Recorded the Reading Rainbow theme song.
  • Favorite rapper is Busta Rhymes.
  • Yummy Bingham is her goddaughter.

[edit] Awards

  • 2006 BET Lifetime Achievement Award
  • To date, she has won eight Grammy Awards:
    • 2002 Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance - "What's Going On" by Chaka Khan & The Funk Brothers
    • 1992 Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - "The Woman I Am"
    • 1990 Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal - "I'll Be Good To You" (with Ray Charles)
    • 1984 Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - "I Feel For You"
    • 1983 Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female - Chaka Khan
    • 1983 Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal "Ain't Nobody"
    • 1983 Best Vocal Arrangement For Two Or More Voices - "Be Bop Medley"
    • 1974 Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus - "Tell Me Something Good"
  • She has had 18 Grammy nominations.
  • She has won four American Music Awards.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

[edit] Solo

Album cover Album information
Image:Chaka Khan - Chaka.jpg Chaka
Image:Chaka Khan - Naughty.jpg Naughty
  • Released: March 26, 1980
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • Chart Peak: US Pop #43, R&B #6
  • RIAA Certification: None
  • Singles: "Clouds," "Papillon (Aka Hot Butterfly)," "Get Ready, Get Set"
140px What Cha' Gonna Do For Me
  • Released: April 15, 1981
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • Chart Peak: US Pop #17, R&B #3, Jazz #35
  • RIAA Certification: Gold
  • Singles: "What Cha' Gonna Do For Me," "We Can Work It Out," "Any Old Sunday"
Image:Echoes Of An Era - Echoes Of An Era.jpg Echoes Of An Era
Image:Chaka Khan - Chaka Khan.jpg Chaka Khan
140px I Feel For You
  • Released: October 1, 1984
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • Chart Peak: US Pop #16, R&B #4, UK #15
  • RIAA Certification: Platinum
  • Singles: "I Feel For You," "This Is My Night," "Through The Fire," "Eye To Eye"
Image:Chaka Khan - Destiny.jpg Destiny
  • Released: June 27, 1986
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • Chart Peak: US Pop #72, R&B #25
  • RIAA Certification: None
  • Singles: "Love Of A Lifetime," "Tight Fit," "The Other Side Of The World," "Earth To Mickey"
Image:Chaka Khan - C.K..jpg C.K.
Image:Chaka Khan - Life Is A Dance - The Remix Project.jpg Life Is A Dance: The Remix Project
Image:Chaka Khan - The Woman I Am.jpg The Woman I Am
  • Released: April 14, 1992
  • Label: Warner Bros.
  • Chart Peak: US Pop #92, R&B #9
  • RIAA Certification: None
  • Singles: "Love You All My Lifetime," "You Can Make The Story Right," "I Want," "Give Me All," "Don't Look At Me That Way," "Facts Of Love"
Image:Nocover.png Dare You To Love Me
Image:Chaka Khan - Epiphany - The Best Of Volumn 1.jpg Epiphany: The Best Of Chaka Khan Vol.1
Image:Chaka Khan - Come 2 My House.jpg Come 2 My House
  • Released: July 21, 1998
  • Label: NPG
  • Chart Peak: US R&B #49
  • RIAA Certification: None
  • Singles: "This Crazy Life Of Mine," "I'll Never B Another Fool," "I Remember U"
Image:Chaka Khan - Dance Classics Of Chaka Khan.jpg Dance Classics Of Chaka Khan (Japan Release Only)
Image:Chaka Khan - ClassiKhan.jpg ClassiKhan
Image:Chaka Khan - The Platinum Collection.jpg The Platinum Collection

[edit] With Rufus

  • Rufus (1973)
  • Rags to Rufus (1974)
  • Rufusized (1974)
  • Rufus featuring Chaka Khan (1975)
  • Ask Rufus (1977)
  • Street Player (1978)
  • Masterjam (1979)
  • Camouflage (1981)
  • Live: Stompin' at the Savoy (1983)
  • The Very Best Of Rufus featuring Chaka Khan (1996)
  • The Ultimate Collection, Vol.1 (2006)

[edit] See also

[edit] External links

es:Chaka Khan nl:Chaka Khan ja:チャカ・カーン pl:Chaka Khan pt:Chaka Khan fi:Chaka Khan sv:Chaka Khan

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