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Home // Photos // Chaka Khan: Through The Fire // Humble Beginnings
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  • Chaka Khan has come along way since teaming up with Rufus. Here's a long at all the major moves she has made since breaking into the industry.
  • Before Chaka Khan became an R&B legend, she was a member of the Crystalettes at the age of 11 with her sister Yvonne and a group of her teen friends. Khan was dubbed “Little Aretha” after her performances with the group at local Chicago talent shows.
  • Yvette Marie Stevens became Chaka Khan at the age of 13 after joining an African music group called the Shades of Black. She officially became Chaka Adunne Aduffe Yemoja Hodarhi Karifi after a naming ceremony by a Yoruba priest.
  • After joining Rufus in 1971, Chaka Khan released her debut self-titled album in 1973. But it was their 1974 hit “Tell Me Something Good,” that made Rufus and Chaka Khan household names.
  • Rufus would eventually become Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan. Despite the name change, it didn’t slow down the quality of hits the Chicago-based band was cranking out on the Billboard charts. Albums “Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan,” “Ask Rufus” and “Street Player” would all reach the top of the R&B Billboard chart.
  • Chaka Khan embarked on her solo career in 1978, releasing her debut solo project, “Chaka.” The “Chaka” album was best known for the disco hit, “I’m Every Woman.” Not only was it a smash hit but it was one of the first music videos ever.
  • In 1983, Chaka Khan recorded her last album with the group Rufus, “Stompin’ at the Savoy – Live.” The double record was a collection of live performances, singles by Khan and new recordings from the group. Rufus members went their separate ways shortly after the release of the album.
  • One of Chaka Khan’s biggest and most groundbreaking singles came in 1984 with “I Feel For You.” Prince wrote the song that featured rapper Melle Mel, starting the trend of merging R&B and rap vocals on the same track.
  • Singing wasn’t enough for Chaka Khan, who added the title of executive producer to her resume for her 1991 album, “The Woman I Am.” It won a Grammy for Best R&B Vocal Performance and the album featured six singles, including “I Want,” “Give Me All,” and “Facts Of Love.”
  • Chaka Khan proved she was more than just a singer in 2008 as she joined the cast of “The Color Purple,” on Broadway. Acting alongside fellow artists BeBe Winans and LaKisha Jones, Khan played Sofia.
  • Thirteen solo albums in and Chaka Khan is still going strong. Her latest CD, “Funk This,” won two Grammy Awards for Best R&B album and Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group.

Humble Beginnings

Before Chaka Khan became an R&B legend, she was a member of the Crystalettes at the age of 11 with her sister Yvonne and a group of her teen friends. Khan was dubbed “Little Aretha” after her performances with the group at local Chicago talent shows.

Published 12/22/2009

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