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Yvette Marie Stevens better known as Chaka Khan, was born on March 23, 1953 in Chicago, IL.
In the late 1960s, Khan attended several civil rights rallies and joined the Black Panther Party after befriending fellow member Fred Hampton. Though many believe she was given the name Chaka while in the Panthers, she has made it clear that her name, Chaka Adunne Aduffe Hodarhi Karifi was given to her at the age of 13. She married fellow musician, Hassan Khan, in 1970.
Early on, she 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. With Chaka as the group’s dynamic center, Rufus became one of the most popular acts around selling out shows throughout the country and dominating the airwaves with hit after hit with songs such as “You Got the Love,” which Chaka co-wrote, “Once You Get Started,” “Sweet Thing,” “Everlasting Love,” “Do You Love What You Feel?” and “Ain’t Nobody,” Chaka’s second Grammy Award-winning song with Rufus. Rufus and Chaka Khan racked up five RIAA certified gold and platinum albums during their time together.