Chaka Khan’s story is one of ups and downs, turmoil and redemption. She was born as Yvette Marie Stevens in 1953 on the Southside of Chicago to a middle class family. One of her first experiences in the music industry came when she was 11-years-old and formed the group the Crystalettes with her sister Yvonne.
After spending time involved with the Affro-Arts Theater and participating in the musical group The Shades of Black, Khan became involved with the Black Panther Party and became friends with Fred Hampton.
It was during her involvement with the Black Panthers that an African shaman gave her the name Chaka Adunne Aduffe Hodarhi Karifi. For her stage name, she kept the first name, and her last name came from her husband Hassan Khan.
In the early 1970’s, as part of the band Rufus, Khan had a breakthrough hit, “Tell Me Something Good.” The song reached the third spot on the Billboard Hot 100 and won the group a Grammy Award. The group went on to release six platinum-selling albums between 1974 and 1979.
Khan released a solo album in 1978 which contained her smash hit, “I’m Every Woman.” She went on to release multiple albums, both solo and group. Having battled with cocaine and heroin use as well as alcoholism, Khan struggled with drugs until the early 1990s and declared herself sober in 2005.
Khan has won a total of 10 Grammy Awards including Best R&B Vocal Performance and Best R&B Album. She has been nominated for a total of 22 Grammy Awards.
In addition to her Grammy Awards, she has won two Soul Train Awards, an Award of Excellence from the United Negro College Fund, four American Music Awards and an induction into the SoulMusic Hall of Fame.
The following video is a biography of Khan’s life that reveals information about how her childhood and her parents relationship impacted her and her music. It also explores the ups and downs of both her personal life and her career.
[leadplayer_vid id=”53A532FFE7062″]
GLAD TO KNOW HER HISTORY (HERSTORY)
Didn't Lionel Rchie overcome racism only to become white himself? LOL!
Sorry I digressed. Chaka is living proof that all obstacles can be removed through our passion and dedication. Much love to this incredIble woman!
Lol So True
Hey Queen! You are truly “CHICAGO STRONG”.
Nice write-up. It does shed some light on the concern. By the for those interested in binary options can get an exclusive binary options bonus.
I wish far more individuals would write blogs like this that are truly beneficial to read. With all the crap floating around on the internet, it’s rare to read a blog like yours instead.
Nice Blog, thanks for sharing this kind of information.
I
Hi colleagues, nice piece of writing and fastidious arguments commented at this
place, I am in fact enjoying by these. adreamoftrains web hosting sites
Undeniably believe that which you said. Your favorite reason appeared to be on the net the easiest
thing to be aware of. I say to you, I certainly get irked while people
consider worries that they just don’t know about. You managed to
hit the nail upon the top and also defined out the whole
thing without having side effect , people can take a signal.
Will probably be back to get more. Thanks
You have made some decent points there. I checked on the net for additional information about the issue and found most people will go along with your views on this website.
It’s wonderful that you are getting ideas from this piece of writing as well as from our discussion made
here. cheap flights 2CSYEon
Lovely just what I was searching for. Thanks to the author for taking his clock time on this one.
You have brought up a very fantastic points, appreciate it for the post.
Thanks a lot for being the tutor on this area. My partner and i enjoyed the article quite definitely and most of all liked how you handled the issues I thought to be controversial. You happen to be always very kind to readers like me and let me in my everyday living. Thank you.
I am glad to be one of many visitors on this great website (:, appreciate it for posting.
May I just say what a comfort to uncover someone that actually knows what they’re talking about on the net. You definitely understand how to bring a problem to light and make it important. More and more people must check this out and understand this side of the story. It’s surprising you aren’t more popular because you surely have the gift.|
Great post indeed. My teacher has been awaiting for this info.
I have recently started a website, the information you provide on this web site has helped me greatly. Thanks for all of your time & work.
You are a very bright person!
It’s in point of fact a great and useful piece of information. I’m glad that you just shared this helpful information with us. Please stay us up to date like this. Thank you for sharing.
I very glad to find this site on bing, just what I was searching for 😀 too saved to favorites.
Real superb visual appeal on this site, I’d rate it 10.
I gotta bookmark this site it seems very useful extremely helpful.