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 numerous 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, and pop standards.
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. Read more about ...