Ain’t Nobody Better
Happy Birthday, Chaka Khan
A Small Tribute to Chaka Khan on her Birthday
There’s nothing about this woman I don’t love. She was unapologetically black before that was even a term, her stage presence is fantastic, she’s beautiful and my God, her voice. The impact she has had on all genres of music is incredible.
Chaka Khan was born Yvette Marie Stevens on March 23, 1953. Originally from Chicago, Illinois, she’s the eldest of five children. She described her father as a beatnik and her mother as “able to do anything.” She was raised in the Hyde Park area, “an island in the middle of the madness” of Chicago’s rough South Side housing projects.
She’s been a force in the music industry for five decades. Her career started in the 1970s as the lead vocalist of the funk band Rufus. When she was with Rufus, she achieved four gold singles, four gold albums, and two platinum albums. In the course of her solo career, Khan achieved three gold singles, three gold albums and one platinum album with I Feel for You. Also, I Feel For You not only won a Grammy but also made history as the first rap/R&B crossover song with rap provided by Grandmaster Melle Mel. Overall, she’s won 10 Grammy Awards, sold 70 million record sales worldwide, and was nominated for induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame twice.
I’m particularly fond of seeing her live in June 2009 to kick off Black Music Month.
What’s your favorite song by Chaka Khan?
Yeah, hard to pick one. I get it. So why not enjoy all of them? I mean, it’s Chaka Khan’s birthday, and what could be better than playing her hits on SoundCloud, MixCloud, and Spotify? Check the links below.
Bonus: Chaka Khan’s Best Throwback Style Moments
