Biography for
Chaka Khan More at IMDbPro »

Date of Birth

23 March 1953, Great Lakes, Illinois, USA

Birth Name

Yvette Marie Stevens

Height

5' 4" (1.63 m)

Spouse

Doug Rasheed	(2001 - present)
Richard Holland	(14 August 1976 - 1980) (divorced) 1 child
Hassan Khan	(1970 - 1971) (divorced)

Trivia

Sister of singers Taka Boom (of The Undisputed Truth and The Glass Family) and Mark Stevens (of The Jamaica Boys).

Daughter, born in 1973, from a relationship with Rahsaan Morris.

"I Feel For You," one of her signature songs, was originally recorded by Princeon his 1979 debut album.

Her daughter Milini Khan was a member of the group, Pretty In Pink.

Went solo in 1978 and later rejoined Rufus in 1983. During the brief reunion, they recorded the album "Rufus and Chaka Khan Live! Stompin' at the Savoy" which included the top ten hit "Ain't Nobody."

Was 18 years old when she joined Rufus, the band that made her famous.

Her song "Never Miss The Water" was featured in episode #3.15 ("The One Where Ross and Rachel Take a Break") of "Friends" (1994)

Became a grandmother in 1992 at age 39, when daughter Millini then 18, gave birth to granddaughter, Raeven.

She has performed with the SAS (Spike Edney's All Stars) Band.

Chaka means "fire" in many African languages!

Ranked #17 on VH1's 100 Greatest Women of Rock N Roll

Mother of Milini Khan and Damien Holland.

Daughter of Charles Stevens and Sandra Coleman (who is her personal manager).

Sister of Kathleen Burrell and Tammy McCrary (who is her manager).

Friend of Natalie Cole.

Duetted with Robert Palmer when he was recording future hit "Addicted to Love". Even though Palmer was thrilled with the collaborative end product, Khan's vocals had to be erased from the master tape due to the fact that she had two other singles on release at the same time (conflict of interest issues). When "Addicted to Love" topped the American charts in May 1986, it did so without Khan's vocals, though she did receive a vocal arrangement credit for her efforts.

She acquired the name Chaka Khan when she joined the Black Panther Party.

Personal Quotes

[on being called a "diva", 2007] We looked it up in the dictionary. A diva is a distinguished singer, but she's also a chick who throws a fit because she believes the hype. I don't really care, though. I get more pissed about the kind of chicks that pass for divas these days.