Chaka Khan
Chaka Khan is one of the world’s most gifted and celebrated music icons. A singer, songwriter, actor, author, philanthropist, entrepreneur and activist, Chaka has influenced generations of music creators during her four decades as an artist. A 10-time GRAMMY ® Award winner, she has the rare ability to sing in a number of musical genres, including R&B, pop, rock, gospel, country, world music and classical.
During her legendary career, Chaka has released 22 albums and racked up ten Number One songs on the Billboard charts, seven RIAA-certified gold singles and ten RIA-certified gold and platinum albums. Chaka’s recordings have resulted in more than 2,000 catalog song placements.
A native of Chicago, Chaka began singing in local groups as a teen before being invited to join the group Rufus. Her fiery vocals on the group’s debut album caught the attention of music icon Stevie Wonder, who penned her first smash hit with Rufus, “Tell Me Something Good” The single from the group’s 1974 platinum-selling album, Rags to Rufus, earned Chaka her first GRAMMY ® Award. Together, Rufus and Chaka Khan racked up five RIAA-certified gold and platinum albums. In 1978, Chaka blazed onto the music scene as a solo artist with the release of the smash hit “I’m Every Woman,” written by Ashford & Simpson.
Chaka Khan’s steady stream of accolades include the Soul Train Legend Award (2009), the BET Lifetime Achievement Award (2006), the GRAMMY ® Honors Award from the NARAS Chicago Chapter (2006) and the World Music Award Lifetime Achievement Award (2003). Previously nominated for the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame four times – twice as a solo artist and twice with Rufus – she has been nominated again as a 2019 inductee candidate. In 2011, Chaka received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and was honored with the United Negro College Fund’s An Evening of Stars Tribute.
Chaka’s latest body of work, Hello Happiness, a 7-track album executive produced by English production powerhouse Switch, was released on February 15th, 2019 under Diary Records/Island Records.
