Artist Bio: Chaka Khan

Birth Name: Yvette Stevens.
Born: March 23, 1953.
Raised: Chicago, Illinois.

Chaka Khan was born and raised in Chicago with the birth name of Yvette Marie Stevens. She was the eldest of five children, most of whom would grow up to become involved in the music business. She was introduced to Jazz music as a child by her grandmother, and formed her first all-girl singing group at age 11. Although she grew up singing, she eventually joined the Chicago branch of the Black Panther civil rights group in her teens. It was during this period that she adopted the African name Chaka Karifi.

In 1969, while still in her mid-teens, Chaka dropped out of high school, left the Panthers and devoted herself to singing. The following year, she married musician Hassan Khan, taking his surname. She sung with various bands during this time, but in 1972, she joined the band Rufus, and moved to Los Angeles, where the band was able to land a record deal. Rufus' self-title debut album was released in 1973, and the following year the single "Tell Me Something Good" became a huge hit. Over the next five years, the band released several highly successful albums and singles. In 1978, Chaka released her first solo album.

Chaka's first solo project became a hit in 1978 thanks to the hit disco single "I'm Every Woman," which had been written for her by husband and wife duo Ashford & Simpson. But despite her solo success, she continued to record songs with Rufus until 1983 when the group disbanded after the success of their final hit, "Ain't Nobody." Chaka has continued to record as a solo artist, and has had numerous hit singles over the decades, including "Through the Fire" and the Prince-written "I Feel For You."

2008: Best R&B Album (for Funk This)
2008: Best R&B Performance by a Duo/Group With Vocals (with Mary J. Blige for "Disrespectful,")
2003: Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance (for "What's Going On," from the Standing in the Shadows of Motown soundtrack.
1993: Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female (for the album The Woman I Am.
1991: Best R&B Performance By A Duo/Group With Vocal (with Ray Charles, for "I'll Be Good to You.")
1985: Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female (for the song "I Feel For You," from the album of the same name.
1984: Best Vocal Arrangement For 2 Or More Voices (with Arif Mardin for "Be Bop Medley.")

2007: Funk This
1998: Come 2 My House
1992: The Woman I Am
1988: CK
1986: Destiny
1984: I Feel For You
1982: Chaka Khan
1981: What 'Cha Gonna Do For Me
1980: Naughty
1978: Chaka