Chaka Khan

Khan adopted the African name "Chaka", whilst working as a volunteer for the Black Panthers Free Breakfast For Children Program in Chicago, US. She then took the first steps to global megastardom with soul band Lyfe, before moving onto The Babysitters, and finally teaming up with Kevin Murphy and Andre Fisher to form funk group Rufus. Their eponymous album debuted in 1973 and the band went on to enjoy much success before Khan went solo in 1978 - with self-titled work Chaka, featuring disco anthem, I'm Every Woman. Numerous career peaks and troughs followed before 1984's cover of Prince's uber-popular track, I Feel For You. The Single went platinum, catapulting her into the big time and garnering a Grammy Award. Her rise continued into the late 80s and early 90s, seeing her duet with Ray Charles, bag another Grammy and perform soundtracks for cult movies My Funny Valentine and Too Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything. Albums ClassiKhan and Funk Other albums have since followed, mixing jazz standards, cover songs and some original tracks, along with her autobiography Chaka! Through The Fire.