Chaka Khan

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Chaka Khan
Khan performing at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California
Khan performing at the Chumash Casino Resort in Santa Ynez, California
Background information
Birth nameYvette Marie Stevens
Also known asChaka Adunne Aduffe Hodarhi Karifi Khan, Queen of Funk
Born (1953-03-23) March 23, 1953 (age 71)
Chicago, Illinois, United States
Genres
Occupation(s)
  • Singer
  • songwriter
InstrumentsVocals
Years active1973–present
LabelsABC (1972–1978)
Warner Bros. (1978–1998)
MCA (1979–1982)
NPG (1998–2001)
Burgundy (2005–2010)
Websitewww.chakakhan.com

Yvette Marie Stevens (better known as Chaka Khan and born March 23, 1953 near Chicago) is a ten time Grammy Award winning American singer and songwriter. She first became famous in the 1970s as the main singer for the funk group Rufus. Khan went solo around 1978, and her hit songs include I Feel for You, I'm Every Woman, Sweet Thing and Through the Fire. She also got several nominations for American Music Awards.

On May 19, 2011, Khan was given the 2,440th Hollywood Walk of Fame star plaque on a section of Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.

Personal life[change | change source]

Khan has been married twice and is the mother of two children, daughter Indira Milini and son Damien Holland. Khan's first marriage was to Hassan Khan, in 1970, when she was 17. They divorced a short time later. Milini's birth was the result of a relationship between Khan and Rahsaan Morris.[1] Khan married her second husband, Richard Holland, in 1976. The marriage reportedly caused a rift between Khan and several members of Rufus. Khan dated a Chicago-area schoolteacher in the mid-1980s in the middle of her solo stardom. Following their separation, Khan moved to Europe. She first lived in London, later living in Germany.

In the past, Khan struggled with drug abuse and alcoholism. Her drug use, which at times included cocaine and heroin, ended sometime in the early 1990s. Khan would have an on-again, off-again struggle with alcoholism. In 2005 she said she was sober. In 2006, her son Damien Holland was accused of murder after 17-year-old Christopher Bailey was shot to death. Khan testified on her son's behalf defending her son's innocence. Holland said the shooting was an accident and was found not guilty.[2] Though she sang at both the 2000 Democratic and Republican conventions, Khan says that she is more of a "Democratic-minded person".[3]

In December 2011, Khan won permanent custody of her granddaughter, Daija Jade Holland. Khan said the mother was unable to raise her due to her drug addiction. It was reported that Khan's son was also addicted to drugs.[4]

Awards[change | change source]

Grammy Awards[change | change source]

To date, Chaka Khan has won 10 Grammy Awards, including two as a member of Rufus. She has received 22 Grammy Award nominations, including three as a member of Rufus.

Year Nominated work Award category Result
1975 "Tell Me Something Good" (as Rufus) Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus Won
1978 Ask Rufus (as Rufus) Best R&B Vocal Performance By A Duo, Group Or Chorus Nominated
1979 "I'm Every Woman" Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female Nominated
1982 What Cha' Gonna Do For Me Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female Nominated
1983 Echoes Of An Era Best Jazz Vocal Performance, Female Nominated
1984 Chaka Khan Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female Won
"Ain't Nobody" (as Rufus) Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal Won
"Be Bop Medley" (with Arif Mardin) Best Vocal Arrangement For Two Or More Voices Won
1985 "I Feel For You" Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female Won
1986 I Feel For You Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female Nominated
1987 Destiny Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female Nominated
1991 "I'll Be Good To You" (with Ray Charles) Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal Won
1993 The Woman I Am Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female Won
1996 "Love Me Still" (with Bruce Hornsby) Best Song Written Specifically For A Motion Picture Or Television Nominated
1997 "Missing You" (with Brandy, Tamia & Gladys Knight) Best Pop Collaboration With Vocals Nominated
"Never Miss The Water" (with Meshell Ndegeocello) Best R&B Performance By A Duo Or Group With Vocal Nominated
"Stomp" (with Luke Cresswell, Fiona Wilkes, Carl Smith, Fraser Morrison, Everett Bradley, Mr. X, Melle Mel, Coolio, Yo-Yo, Charlie Wilson, Shaquille O'Neal & Luniz) Nominated
1998 "Summertime" Best Female R&B Vocal Performance Nominated
2003 "What's Going On" (with The Funk Brothers) Best Traditional R&B Vocal Performance Won
2007 "Everyday (Family Reunion)" (with Gerald Levert, Yolanda Adams & Carl Thomas) Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals Nominated
2008 "Disrespectful" (with Mary J. Blige) Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocals Won
Funk This Best R&B Album Won

Soul Train Awards[change | change source]

United Negro College Fund Award[change | change source]

  • 2011 UNCF: Award of Excellence (Recipient)

American Music Award nominations[change | change source]

To date, she has had four American Music Award nominations.

  • 1985 Favorite Female Artist - Soul/Rhythm & Blues (Nominee only. Award recipient was Tina Turner)
  • 1985 Favorite Female Video Artist - Soul/Rhythm & Blues (Nominee only. Award recipient was Tina Turner)
  • 1982 Favorite Female Artist - Soul/Rhythm & Blues (Nominee only. Award recipient was Stephanie Mills)
  • 1981 Favorite Female Artist - Soul/Rhythm & Blues (Nominee only. Award recipient was Diana Ross)

References:[2][5]

Discography[change | change source]

References[change | change source]

  1. "Chaka Khan (I)". IMDb. Retrieved 2010-08-24.
  2. 2.0 2.1 Arnold, Chuck (2007). "Chaka Khan Through the Fire". People. pp. 115–117. Retrieved 2010-05-18.[permanent dead link]
  3. Rosen, Craig (2006-11-06). "Chaka Khan Siding With The Democratic Ticket".[permanent dead link]
  4. "Chaka Khan Awarded Custody of Granddaughter". Essence. 2011-12-16. Retrieved 2012-05-28.
  5. Chaka Khan @ The Envelope Awards Database