Then: Chaka Khan began her career as the lead singer of the band Rufus, which was largely unsuccessful at the start. The band released a self-titled album that saw measured success with a few singles, but didn’t sell well. That changed when Stevie Wonder collaborated with the group on a song he had written for Khan. That song, “Tell Me Something Good”, became the group’s breakthrough hit, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1974, later winning the group their first Grammy Award. The single’s success and the subsequent follow-up, “You Got the Love”, which peaked at No. 11 on the Billboard Hot 100 and No. 1 on the R&B chart, helped their second parent album, Rags to Rufus, go platinum, selling over a million copies. From 1974 to 1979, Rufus released six platinum-selling albums including Rufusized, Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan, Ask Rufus, Street Player and Masterjam. Hits the group scored during this time included “Once You Get Started”, “Sweet Thing”, “Hollywood”, “At Midnight (My Love Will Lift You Up)”, and “Do You Love What You Feel”.
Now: In May 2021, Khan appeared at the season 19 American Idol finale, where she performed a medley of her hits alongside the contestants. In June 2021, Khan joined YouTuber and performer Todrick Hall on his album Femuline for the song “Fabulosity”. In November 2021, Khan participated in a Verzuz battle with singer Stephanie Mills, at which both singers performed hits from their discography.
