Chaka’s early days in Chicago saw her performing with bands including Baby Huey and the Babysitters and Lyfe, the latter also having Gavin Christopher (who would later team up with Rufus members in High Voltage).
“Chicago is where it all began for me,” said Yvette Marie Stevens, known better to the world as Chaka Khan remembering the strength of her Chicago roots. “Even before Rufus, I sang with local groups such as The Babysitters, Lock and Chain and Lyfe. As a young girl, growing up on Carpenter Street, my parents introduced me to a very rich musical foundation-starting with jazz and opera.”
Another group working at the time went by the name of Ask Rufus featuring vocalist Paulette McWilliams. When the time came for McWilliams to embark on a solo career, she invited her friend Chaka Khan to fill her slot. That band became Rufus.
From her years with Rufus, and going on to a solo career that has garnered her a handful of Grammy’s and numerous other industry awards, Chaka had become an international music legend.
In 2013, the City of Chicago honored her with the unveiling of Chaka Khan Way on South Blackstone Avenue between 50th and 51st Streets.
Here’s a list of other awards she’s received:
1974 – Grammy – Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
“Tell Me Something Good” (award shared with Rufus)
1983 – Grammy – Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
1983 – Grammy – Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
“Ain’t Nobody” (award shared with Rufus)
1985 – Grammy – Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
“I Feel For You”
1986 – Grammy – Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
“Destiny”
1990 – Grammy – Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
“I’ll Be Good to You” Chaka Khan and Ray Charles
1992 Grammy – Best Female R&B Vocal Performance
“The Woman That I Am”
1992 – International Association of African American Music – Diamond Life Award for Excellence
1993 – ASCAP Pop Award for Most Played Song
“Sweet Thing”
1995 – Grammy – Best Song Written Specifically for a Motion Picture or Television
“Love Me Still” (Clockers) Chaka Khan and Bruce Hornsby
1995 – Capitol Radio Listener’ Poll for London’s Best Actress
For the role of Sister Carrie in Mama, I Want to Sing
1996 – Best Pop Vocal Collaboration
“Missing You” Chaka Khan, Gladys Knight, Brandy & Tamia
1996 – Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
“Never Miss the Water” Chaka Khan and Me’Shell NdegeOcello
1996 – Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal
“Stomp” Chaka Khan & Quincy Jones
1997 – Bet Female R&B Vocal Performance
“Summertime”
2002 – Grammy – Best R&B Vocal Performance
“What’s Going On?” Chaka Khan and the Funk Brothers
RUFUS/ASK RUFUS with Chaka Khan discography
1973 Rufus (ABC 783) – Billboard #175 Pop Albums & #44 Black Albums
“Feel Good” #45 Black Singles
“Whoever’s Thrilling You (Is Killing Me)” #40 Black Singles
1974 Rags to Rufus (ABC 809) – Billboard #4 Pop Albums & #4 Black Albums
“You Got the Love” #1 Black Singles (Ray Parker, Jr. & Chaka Khan)
“Tell Me Something Good” #3 Black Singles
1974 Rufusized (ABC 837) – Billboard #7 Pop Albums & #2 Black Albums
“Once You Get Started” – #4 Black Singles & #2 Disco Singles
“Please Pardon Me’ -#48 Pop Singles & #6 Black Singles
1975 Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan (ABC 909) – Billboard #7 Pop Albums & #1 Black Albums
“Sweet Thing” #1 Black Singles & #5 Pop Singles
“Dance Wit Me” #5 Black Singles & #39 Pop Singles
“Jive Talkin’” #35 Black Singles
1977 Ask Rufus (ABC 975) – Billboard #1 Black Albums & #12 Pop Albums
“At Midnight” #1 Black Single & #30 Pop Singles
“Everlasting Love” #17 Black Singles
“Hollywood” #3 Black Singles
1978 Street Player (ABC 1049) –
“Stay” #38 Pop Singles
1979 Masterjam (MCA 5103)
“Do You Love What You Feel” #1 Black Singles & #30 Pop Singles
“Any Love” #24Black Singles
1981 Camouflage (MCA 5270) – Billboard #98 Pop Albums & #15 Black Albums
“Better Together” #66 Black Singles
“Sharing the Love” #8 Black Singles
1982 The Very Best of Rufus with Chaka Khan (MCA 5339)
1983 Stompin’ at the Savoy (Warner Bros. 23679) – Billboard #55 Top 200 & #50 Pop Albums & #4 Black Albums
CHAKA KHAN discography
1978 Chaka (Warner Bros. 3245) – #12 Pop Albums & #2 Black Albums
1980 Naughty (Warner Bros. 3385) – #43 Pop Albums & #6 Black Albums
1981 What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me (Warner Bros. 3526) – #17 Pop Albums & #3 Black Albums & #35 Jazz Albums
1982 Chaka Khan (Warner Bros. 23729) – #52 Pop Albums & #5 Black Albums
1982 Echoes on an Era (Elektra 60021) – #105 Pop Albums & #38 Black Albums & #11 Jazz Albums
Elektra/Asylum project produced by Lenny White featuring jazz interpretations of material from Billie Holiday, Sarah Vaughan and Ella Fitzgerald
1984 I Feel For You (Warner Bros. 25162) – #16 Top 200 & #4 Black Albums
1986 Destiny (Warner Bros. 25425) – #72 Top 200 & #25 Black (R&B) Albums
1988 CK (Warner Bros. 25707) – #125 Top 200 & #17 R&B Albums
1989 Life is a Dance: The Remix Project (Warner Bros. 25946) – #1 Hot Dance Music/Club Play
1992 The Woman I Am (Warner Bros. 26296) – #92 Top 200 & #9 R&B Albums
1996 Epiphany: The Best of Chaka Khan (Reprise 45865) – #84 Top 200 & #22 R&B Albums
1998 Come 2 My House (NPG 62183) – #49 R&B Albums
2004 Classikhan (Earthsong 87524) with London Symphony Orchestra
2007 Funk This (Burgandy 09022)
2019 Hello Happiness (Island 29647)
2020 Homecoming (BMG 538557302)