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Biography
Raised into an artistic household, when Kjan was young her grandmother introduced her to jazz music and as a pre-teen started her own all-female singing group with her sister Taka named the Crystallites. Whilst still in high school the singer joined the Afro-Arts Theatre through which had the opportunity to tour with Motown star Mary Wells.
In 1967 Khan joined the Black Panther Party and worked on their breakfast program, during her membership she was given a name change by a African shaman to Chaka Adunne Aduffe Hodarhi Karifi. Khan would perform with small groups around the Chicago, U.S., area including the group Lyfe, which featured her then boyfriend Hassan Khan whom she would later marry and change her stage name to Chaka Khan.
Another group Rufus spotted Khan in 1972 and asked her to replace their current singer, the band signed to ABC Records a year later. The 1973 self-titled album from the group had limited success despite a powerful cover of Stevie Wonder’s “Maybe Your Baby”. However, a year later in 1974 Stevie Wonder himself collaborated with the band on the song “Tell Me Something Good”, which he had written for Khan and the band broke out into the mainstream reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band’s subsequent albums “Rufusized”, “Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan”, “Ask Rufus”, “Street Player” and “Masterjame” all achieved platinum status and highlighted Khan’s vocal talents.
1978 brought Khan’s solo career and her debut album “Chaka” which achieved platinum status in the U.S. largely due to the success of the singer “I”m Every Woman”. Her follow-up album titled “Naughty” was released in 1980 on Warner Bros. Records and went gold with the help of disco single “Clouds”. Khan released a number of albums from 1980 onwards but it wasn’t until 1984’s sixth studio album titled “I Feel for You”, written by Prince, featuring a harmonica solo by Stevie Wonder, and an introductory rap by Grandmaster Melle Mel, that the singer once again came to the forefront of the charts and hearts of people.
The singer has since released the albums “Destiny” (1986), “CK” (1988), “The Woman I Am” (1992), “Come 2 My House” (1999), “ClassiKhan” (2004) and “Funk This” (2007), has won no fewer than 10 Grammy Awards, two Soul Train Awards and has been inducted into the SoulMusic Hall of Fame.
Live reviews
Chicago born singer and songwriter Chaka Kahn is an American soul and funk singer. The multi Grammy winner has experienced an incredible musical career ranging several decades and has garnered an incredible amount of fans over the span of her career. The dedication and devoutness of her fans was clear when going to see her live: they turned up in full force to see the legend perform, some carrying home-made banner and painted signs hoping to get spotted by their idol. Fans ranged from the old to the young, with parents and children to couples and groups of old high school buddies who had reunited to see the queen perform live. Despite her age, Chaka Khan proved that she still had it in her and blew everyone away. She was charismatic and powerful on stage, her voice as brilliant as ever. She sang all the classics that everyone had come to hear as well as a few less known songs and some new ones thrown in. When she started singing ‘I’m Every Woman’ the arena went wild with cheers and everyone, from parents to OAPs, were wiggling their hips and belting along. The energy was fantastic and only got better with every hit, from ‘Ain’t Nobody’ to ‘I Feel For You’.
sabraziz
Dubbed 'The Queen of Funk', we owe many of the greatest soul records of the 70s and 80s to the legend that is Chaka Khan.
Despite being a Chaka fan for as long as I can remember as my parents played her music around the house as grew up, I was only blessed with the opportunity to see the queen live last year. And it was definitely worth the wait! We hopped aboard the soul train as Chaka sang us through the decades with huge hits such as "Ain't Nobody", "I Feel For You" and "I'm Every Woman".
With a career spanning four decades, you would think that she would be long gone from the world of touring. But to the delight of fans like myself, Chaka makes performing one of her top priorities so there are plenty of opportunities to experience a live show!
Her music is timeless and enjoyed by people of all ages, from those who were around at the height of the Funk/Soul movement in the 70s and 80s, to those of younger generations, like myself, who can still appreciate just how great it is. With ten Grammy Awards and 70 million record sales worldwide, her track record speaks for itself. Chaka Khan is one of the greats.
lhulbert1
Yvette Marie Stevens better known by her stage name Chaka Khan enjoyed huge success with her disco/pop in the 80s and 90s. She has a handful of iconic hits and was often dubbed the queen of funk during her heyday. Although with an energetic and vibrant live show that incorporates the values of soul and funk, the nickname is very apt to this day.
Her gigs are always sell out as fans who have followed the singer since her beginning pack out as well as the new fans who simply adore the classics such as 'I'm Every Woman'. This particular track achieves huge cheers during a jazz heavy introduction and the crowd are ready to sing along with the beaming front woman. The instrumental influence of the show is fantastic as it feels like a classic jazz show as all the disco numbers have been laced with extra percussion and brass.
'I Feel You' sounds so wonderful in the venue and the saxophone notes resonate as Stevens' synonymous vocal does not appear to have faltered with age. A finale of 'Ain't Nobody' with that warm brass is a perfect send off to the true queen of funk.
sean-ward
Last night at the WARNER THEATRE in Washington, DC, Chaka Khan was in better form than she was for her summer concert at WOLF TRAP in Vienna, VA, proving to her beloved public that "age" is just a number! Right from the beginning Chaka Khan had the audience singing along with her on her age old hit, "This Is My Night". Even though she was late to this performance, Chaka Khan exhibited unusual politeness when she offered the audience an explanation for her tardiness ... her driver and his name! Chaka Khan's performance and singing were exhilarating, as they always are, and she gave a special tribute the late & great artist, PRINCE, as well as a playful stab at STEVIE WONDER; therefore, the audience had a joy filled evening. The only sad note to this performance and her summer performance at WOLF TRAP was that Chaka Khan has dropped the hit, "At Midnight" ... . LIVE LONG & PROSPER, Yvette Stevens!
hbtpt3
The opening video grabbed my attention and pumped me up for Chaka's appearance on stage. Her opening vocals were awesome. After 30 minutes she left the stage with no explanation and was gone for about 20 minutes. The band carried on as the crowd got increasingly more restless. Many left the row I was sitting. Chaka returned at the end of a song. She sang two more songs and ended the concert. She may have performed between 35-40 minutes and the total performance was about an hour and 15 minutes. It was short and much of her performance was getting the audience and her backup singers to fill in the concert. It was disappointing. I traveled from upstate NY and stayed overnight. I would not recommend a Chaka Kahn concert. It appeared that she may not have been feeling well. I would have appreciated a more honest explanation for such a short performance.
daniel-rugg
WOW!! Queen Chaka was AMAZING!!
She looks happy, healthy and in total peace. The band and her back up singers complimented her to perfection. I am so proud that Chaka has enough wisdom as to not overwork her instrument, that being her voice. With closed eyes, I was awed at how much each of the ladies "replicated" her "sound".
Total symmetry.
I am also a fan of Ro James. I was excited to see his name on the venue. Very talented young man.
Peace, love and blessings to them all.
GO CHAKA! YOU ARE TRULY "EVERY WOMAN"
Alisa ☮
sipit66
Chaka Khan gave an absolutely amazing show at the Paradiso in Amsterdam. This was my first time experiencing Chaka live and the only thing was that the show wasn't two or three hours longer. She belted very good funk covering her early career with the band Rufus and some of her solo anthems. A great evening of ver um good music, amazing entertainers, top notch musicians and powerful energy from singer, band and crowd.
Definitely a can't miss.
Pedro
Aspirinas
We thought Chaka was great and her band, especially the drummer, was excellent. Fun to hear some of her old tunes, but the show was too short! She came on at 8:15, left the stage for about 10 minutes during the show, and we were out by 9:30. Our seats were great, but for us to come from CT to Staten Island three hours each way and $187 for two tickets was a little disappointing that she didn't perform longer.
Roxsesh
She is my FAVORITE artist. ...case closed! We even look quite alike....Her stage presentation is EPIC too! She is the QUEEN OF FUNK....I would love to see more of her. .. And would like if she made some new music....so talented. SMOOCHES CHAKA
lesa-b-carter
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