Mention the name Chaka Khan in a group of people and more than likely, everyone will have a different favorite song. Go to one of her concerts and you’ll probably hear the audience singing most of the lyrics. Born Yvette Marie Stevens, in Chicago, Illinois, Chaka Khan is a true diva. It’s a bit cliché, but she really does make each song her own with her incredible voice and unique range of musical styles.
Her song “I’m Every Woman” is a Dance music classic. Chaka could belt out some mind-blowing Funk on songs like “Tell Me Something Good,” (penned by Stevie Wonder) or “You Got The Love,” (co-written with Ray Parker Jr.) or melt your heart with ballads like “Sweet Thing” and “Through The Fire.” Of course, her biggest hit was the cover of Prince’s “I Feel For You,” on which Stevie Wonder played harmonica and Grand Master Flash’s Mele Mel kicked the flow on the song’s popular rap–a part of the song that Chaka did not like initially, but allowed it to remain.
Her songs have been covered by a countless number of artists and she’s been nominated for over 20 Grammys and snagged 10 of them. Not only was she a Soul Train Lady of Soul Lena Horne Award recipient in 1998, but she also received Soul Train’s Legends Award in 2009. Not bad for little Yvette Stevens. Would that have worked in the rap? “Yvette Stevens, let me rock you, let me rock you, Yvette Stevens…” No, we think we can all agree that “Chaka Khan” works just fine.
– Montrose Cunningham
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Montrose Cunningham is an independent funk/rock/soul artist and devoted music aficionado residing in Dallas, Texas. When he isn’t digging through the crates–digital and analog–he’s jamming with his band or hanging with his daughter; sometimes both at the same time. Visit him online at www.MontroseMusic.com and on Facebook.
