Yvette Marie Stevens was born in Illinois (USA) in 1953, but was raised in southern Chicago. During adolescence, Yvette joined the Black Panther movement, and later adopted the African name Chaka Khan.

Her professional career began in 1973 when funk band Rufus, in which she was lead singer, released its first record. After five successful years as group lead, she launched a solo career with the smash single “I’m Every Woman,” which topped the charts around the world a decade later in Whitney Houston’s version.

In almost 40 years on the road, Chaka has gone through styles such as funk, soul, R&B, disco, world music, jazz and even erudite music. Her album “Classikhan”, 2004, was recorded with the London Philharmonic Orchestra. Among colleagues and collaborators, some artists of the caliber of Ray Charles, Quincy Jones, Eric Clapton, Miles Davis, Stevie Wonder, Chick Corea, Stanley Clarke and Bobby McFerrin stand out.

She maintains a philanthropic project through the Chaka Khan Foundation, which helps underprivileged women and children.