Chaka Khan

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Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan performing at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California.
Chaka Khan performing at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California.
Background information
Birth name Yvette Marie Stevens
Born March 23, 1953 (1953-03-23) (age 55)
Origin Great Lakes, Illinois, United States
Genre(s) Funk, soul, R&B, jazz
Occupation(s) Singer, songwriter
Years active 1970-1983 (with Rufus)
1978-present (solo)
Label(s) ABC (1972-1979)
MCA (1979-1980)
Warner Bros. (1978-1993)
Reprise (1993-1997)
NPG (1998-2000)
Burgundy (2005-present)
Associated acts Rufus
Indira Khan
Website ChakaKhan.com

Chaka Khan (born March 23, 1953) is a multiple Grammy Award-winning American singer known for hit songs such as "I'm Every Woman", "I Feel For You" and "Through the Fire". Khan was first featured as a member of the funk band Rufus before beginning her solo career. Though regarded as an R&B singer, she has performed numerous musical genres including funk, disco, jazz, ballads, hip hop, adult contemporary, pop and blues standards.

Contents

[edit] Biography

[edit] Early life

Khan was born Yvette Marie Stevens in Great Lakes, Illinois to Charles Stevens and Sandra Coleman. Her sister is dance music artist Taka Boom. 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" while working as a volunteer on the Black Panthers' Free Breakfast for Children program in Chicago. She received her name during a naming ceremony at the Afro- Arts Theater where a Yoruba priest christened her Chaka Adunne Aduffe Yemoja Hodarhi Karifi (as stated on her official website). Khan attended Lewis University in Romeoville, IL. After quitting high school in 1969, Chaka joined the group Lyfe, soon exiting that group to join another dance band, The Babysitters; neither enjoyed any success, but her fortunes changed when she teamed with exAmerican Breed member Kevin Murphy and Andre Fisher to form Rufus. In the meantime, she had married bass guitarist Hassan Khan.

[edit] Life with Rufus

Debuting in 1973 with a self-titled album on the ABC label, Rufus was among the most successful funk groups of the decade. 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 Khan went solo in 1978.

[edit] Solo stardom

In 1978, Khan recorded the album Chaka featuring the Arif Mardin-produced disco hit "I'm Every Woman" (#1 R&B and #21 Pop) later covered by Whitney Houston. Chaka proved to be a significant hit on the strength of the single written by Ashford & 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.

Khan recorded backing vocals for Ry Cooder's Bop Till You Drop (1979), then cut her second album, 1980s 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 Khan's range as a singer. The Naughty album also featured Luther Vandross, Cissy Houston, and a young Whitney Houston singing background vocals.

Chaka can be seen in a cameo appearance in 1980's The Blues Brothers, singing with the church choir behind James Brown as The Reverend Cleophus James.

Her next album, What Cha' Gonna Do for Me ?, was a gold seller and included at two hit singles on Billboard's R&B Singles chart including the title song (which topped the R&B chart and made #53 Pop). The album also featured the song "And The Melody Still Lingers On (Night In Tunisia)" with Dizzy Gillespie & Herbie Hancock, which has Chaka hitting "notes that aren't in the book" according to producer Arif Mardin.[citation needed]

In 1982, Warner Brothers released Khan's eponymous album, Chaka Khan, again produced by Arif Mardin. This album featured the single "Tearin It Up", as well as Chaka's reading of Michael Jackson's "Got To Be There". "Slow Dancin" (a duet with Rick James) was also featured, but her "Be Bop Medley" won a Grammy Award, as well as praise from jazz singer Betty Carter, who praised Khan for her improvisational skills.[citation needed] Chaka Khan received positive reviews but was not the commercial success that Warner Brothers wanted. Reviewer David Bertrand Wilson (of warr.org) said, "This [album] didn't generate any hits, but it's a lot of fun...her singing here is phenomenal". The song "Got to be There", from the album , became an R&B top 5 hit. Chaka Khan is a rare collector's item because Warner Brothers refuses to release it in the United States and fans must acquire CDs imported from Japan.[citation needed]

In 1981, she appeared on three songs on Rick Wakeman's thematic album 1984.

According to the 'Chaka's World' website, Khan 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.[citation needed]

[edit] 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 Khan 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 "The Best Of Your Heart", "Hollywood", and "Everlasting Love" which was later released on the rare 1983 soundtrack to Night Shift.

[edit] Hip hop

In 1984, she released I Feel For You, a platinum-selling album launched by its title cut, an Arif Mardin produced, Grammy Award-winning, hip hop-based rendition of a Prince album track with a cameo appearance by Stevie Wonder on harmonica and rap by Melle Mel. Produced by David Foster, the popular ballad "Through the Fire" also reached the R&B top ten, setting a then-record for most consecutive weeks on the Billboard R&B chart. It also rose to #60 on the Pop chart 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. In 1986, she provided co-lead and background vocals for Steve Winwood's #1 hit, "Higher Love".

In 1995, Khan teamed up with rapper Guru, on his solo jazz/hip hop fusion collection Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality for the track "Watch What You Saying" which reached Billboard's chart at #13.

[edit] 1990–2004

The success of Khan's Destiny (1986) and C.K. (1988) were limited to the R&B charts but in 1990, she won another Grammy for "I'll Be Good To You," a duet with Ray Charles which rose to #1 on the R&B charts and was a Top 20 Pop hit.

In 1992, 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 songwriter duo Irmgard Klarmann and Felix Weber (a.k.a. Klarmann/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 a career retrospective titled Epiphany: The Very Best of Chaka Khan and soundtracks such as To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything, Julie Newmar and Waiting to Exhale (singing the standard "My Funny Valentine").

Khan soon left Warner Brothers for what she felt was 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.[citation needed] Prince (who also feuded with the company) assisted Khan in leaving Warner Brothers. Khan eventually made a special agreement with "The Artist" (as Prince then marketed himself), and recorded her next album on his New Power Generation label.

The Prince-produced Come 2 My House appeared in 1998 and was certified gold[citation needed] despite little promotion. Khan also appeared on new CDs by Prince and Larry Graham for the New Power Generation Label, and she toured in support of the projects.

Although she sang at both the 2000 Democratic and Republican conventions, Khan says that she is more of a "Democratic-minded person".[1]

In 2001, Khan sang on De La Soul's hit song "All Good?". In 2002 she was an integral part of the documentary about Motown studio musicians The Funk Brothers, Standing In The Shadows Of Motown, in which she performed the classic R&B songs "What's Going On?" and "Ain't No Mountain High Enough" (a duet with Montell Jordan). She won her eighth Grammy Award for the latter performance.

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

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 with this condition. Her EarthSong Entertainment and Chaka Khan Foundation operate from Beverly Hills, California.

[edit] 2005—

2005's[2] "let go" track originally appeared in movie 'Roll Bounce' as 'Let's Roll'. Matthew Knowles opted not to include 'Let's Roll' on the movies soundtrack CD

In early 2006, she signed with Sony BMG's new label Burgundy Records.

Embracing Christianity, Khan participated in a live all-star gospel concert recording for artist Richard Smallwood's new album Journey: Live In New York. Khan is featured on the song "Oh, How Precious."[3] On her official website, Khan credits singer Karen Clark Sheard with being "the voice that helped me find the Holy Ghost". Khan performed a cover version of Sheard's "A Secret Place" along with Richard Smallwood on TBN's show Praise The Lord in October 2006.

In December 2006, Chaka recorded "Do You Hear What I Hear" on the Christmas compilation Breaking For the Holidays produced by Eve Nelson (who also produced Classikhan). The album also featured Vonzell Solomon, Sandra Bernhard, Ben Jelen and many more.

In February 2007, Khan headlined and performed at the NARAS 2007 Grammy Award official post party. In September of 2007, she released Funk This, a mix of cover songs and original material. Produced by Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis and James "Big Jim" Wright, the album debuted at #15 on the Top 200 Album Chart and at #5 on the R&B Album Chart, selling 39,000 copies in its first week. This marked her highest chart position since her first solo album in 1978 peaked at #12. "Angel," the first single from the album, reached #29 and went on become her first R&B hit in nearly fifteen years. Promoting the album on the Today Show on September 26, 2007, she performed "Angel" and announced that she would appear in the role of Sofia on Broadway's The Color Purple.

Khan opened as Sofia, a role she says she closely identifies with, on January 9, 2008 along with BeBe Winans as Sofia’s husband, Harpo.[4]

[edit] Awards

[edit] Grammy Awards

To date, she has had twenty two Grammy Award nominations (including three as a member of Rufus). She received ten Grammy Awards (including two as a member of Rufus).

[edit] Grammy Award Nominations

[edit] BET Awards

[edit] Lady Of Soul Awards

[edit] American Music Award Nominations

To date, she has had four American Music Award nominations.

  • 1985 Favorite Female Artist - Soul/Rhythm & Blues (Nominee only. Award recipient was Tina Turner.)
  • 1985 Favorite Female Video Artist - Soul/Rhythm & Blues (Nominee only. Award recipient was Tina Turner.)
  • 1982 Favorite Female Artist - Soul/Rhythm & Blues (Nominee only. Award recipient was Stephanie Mills.)
  • 1981 Favorite Female Artist - Soul/Rhythm & Blues (Nominee only. Award recipient was Diana Ross.)

References: [5]

[edit] Discography

[edit] Albums

Title Release Date Label Chart Peak RIAA
Cert.		 Singles
Chaka October 13, 1978 Tattoo / Warner Bros. US Pop #12
R&B #2		 Gold "I'm Every Woman", "Life Is A Dance"
Naughty March 26, 1980 Warner Bros. US Pop #43
R&B #6		 Gold "Clouds", "Papillon (Aka Hot Butterfly)", "Get Ready, Get Set"
What Cha' Gonna Do For Me April 15, 1981 Warner Bros. US Pop #17
R&B #3
Jazz #35		 Gold "What Cha' Gonna Do For Me", "We Can Work It Out", "Any Old Sunday"
Echoes Of An Era 1982
January 28, 2003		 Elektra / Rhino US Pop #105
R&B #38
Chaka Khan November 17, 1982 Warner Bros. US Pop #52
R&B #5		 "Tearin' It Up," "Got To Be There"
I Feel For You October 1, 1984 Warner Bros. US Pop #16
R&B #4
UK #15		 Platinum "I Feel For You", "This Is My Night", "Through the Fire", "Eye To Eye"
Destiny June 27, 1986 Warner Bros. US Pop #72
R&B #25
UK #77		 "Love Of A Lifetime", "Tight Fit", "The Other Side Of The World", "Earth To Mickey"
C.K. November 12, 1988 Warner Bros. US Pop #125
R&B #17		 "Soul Talkin", "It's My Party", "Baby Me"
Life Is A Dance: The Remix Project June 20, 1989 Warner Bros. UK #14 "I'm Every Woman (Remix)", "Ain't Nobody (remix)", "I Feel For You (Remix)"
The Woman I Am April 14, 1992 Warner Bros. US Pop #92
R&B #9		 "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"
Dare You To Love Me Recorded 1995 (Unreleased) Warner Bros.
Come 2 My House July 21, 1998 NPG US R&B #49 Gold "Spoon", "This Crazy Life Of Mine", "I'll Never B Another Fool", "I Remember U"
ClassiKhan October 5, 2004 Earth Song / Sanctuary US R&B #42
Funk This September 25, 2007 Burgundy Records US Pop #15, R&B #5 "Disrespectful" (feat. Mary J. Blige), "Angel", "You Belong To Me",[6] "One For All Time"[7]

[edit] Compilations

Title Release Date Label Chart Peak RIAA
Cert.		 Singles
Epiphany: The Best Of Chaka Khan Vol. 1 November 12, 1996 Reprise US Pop #51
R&B #22		 Gold "Never Miss The Water", "Your Love Is All I Know"
Dance Classics Of Chaka Khan (Japan Release Only) March 16, 1999 Warner Music Japan
The Platinum Collection June 26, 2006 Warner Music Group
Chaka Khan Greatest Hits Live 2007 March 4, 2008 Cleopatra (According Chaka Khan's web site, this is an illegal bootleg)[8]

[edit] Singles

  • 1978: "I'm Every Woman" - US Pop #21, US R&B #1, UK #11
  • 1979: "Life Is a Dance" - US R&B #40
  • 1980: "Clouds" - US R&B #10
  • 1980: "Papillon (Aka Hot Butterfly)" - US R&B #22
  • 1980: "Get Ready, Get Set" - US R&B #48
  • 1981: "What Cha' Gonna Do for Me" - US Pop #53, US R&B #1
  • 1981: "We Can Work It Out" - US R&B #34
  • 1981: "Any Old Sunday" - US R&B #68
  • 1982: "Got To Be There" - US Pop #67, US R&B #5
  • 1983: "Tearin' It Up" - US R&B #48
  • 1984: "I Feel For You" - US Pop #3, US R&B #1, US Dance #1, UK #1
  • 1985: "This Is My Night" - US #60, R&B #11, US Dance #1, UK #14
  • 1985: "Eye To Eye" - UK #16
  • 1985: "Through the Fire" - US Pop #60, US R&B #15, US AC #16, UK #77
  • 1985: "(Krush Groove) Can't Stop the Street" - US R&B #18, UK #80
  • 1985: "Own the Night" - US Pop #57, US R&B #66
  • 1986: "The Other Side of the World" - US R&B #81
  • 1986: "Love of a Lifetime" - US Pop #53, US R&B #21, UK #52
  • 1986: "Tight Fit" - US R&B #28
  • 1986: "Higher Love" (with Steve Winwood) - US Pop #1, UK #13
  • 1987: "Earth to Mickey" - US R&B #93
  • 1988: "It's My Party" - US R&B #5, UK #71
  • 1988: "Soul Talkin'"
  • 1989: "I'm Every Woman" (remix) - UK #8
  • 1989: "I Feel For You" (remix) - UK #45
  • 1989: "Baby Me" - US R&B #8
  • 1990: "I'll Be Good to You" (with Quincy Jones and Ray Charles) - US Pop #18, US R&B #1, US Dance #1, UK #21
  • 1992: "Love You All My Lifetime" - US Pop #68, US R&B #2, US Dance #1, UK #49
  • 1992: "You Can Make the Story Right" - US R&B #8
  • 1992: "I Want" - US R&B #62
  • 1993: "Feels Like Heaven" (with Peter Cetera) - US Pop #71, US AC #5
  • 1993: "Don't Look At Me That Way" - UK #73
  • 1995: "Watch What You Say" (with Guru) - UK #28
  • 1996: "Missing You" (with Brandy, Gladys Knight and Tamia) - US Pop #25, US R&B #10
  • 1996: "Never Miss The Water" (with Me'Shell Ndegeocello) - US R&B #36, US Dance #1, UK #59
  • 1998: "Spoon"
  • 1998: "This Crazy Life of Mine"
  • 1998: "I'll Never B Another Fool"
  • 1999: "I Remember U"
  • 2000: "All Good" (with De La Soul) - UK #33
  • 2007: "Disrespectful" (with Mary J. Blige) - US Dance #1
  • 2007: "Angel" - US Pop #121, US R&B #28
  • 2007: "You Belong To Me" (with Michael McDonald) - US Contemporary Jazz #18
  • 2008: "One For All Time" - US R&B #35

[edit] See also

Rufus discography

[edit] References

  1. ^ Rosen, Craig (November 6, 2006). Chaka Khan Siding With The Democratic Ticket.
  2. ^ http://www.imeem.com/chakasworld/music/pTr-AJWB/chaka_khan_let_go/
  3. ^ Murray, Jawn (August 30, 2005). Jubilant Journey. AOL Black Voices.
  4. ^ McGee, Celia. "The Many Shades of Chaka Khan, Now in ‘Purple’", New York Times, 2007-12-30. Retrieved on 2008-01-09. 
  5. ^ Chaka Khan @ The Envelope Awards Database
  6. ^ "You Belong To Me" Hot Contemporary Jazz Songs Chart Positions - Feb 9, 2008
  7. ^ "One For All Time" Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs Chart Positions - Feb 9, 2008
  8. ^ Statement Regarding Unauthorized Live DVD/CD. Chaka Khan (March 7, 2008). Retrieved on 2008-04-28.

[edit] External links