Chaka Khan

Born: March 23, 1953

Real name: Yvette Stevens

Quote: "'Ain't Nobody' is one of my favorite songs. It's a song I'll be singing probably for the rest of my life."

Born Yvette Marie Stevens on the South Side of Chicago, Chaka Khan began her singing career at age 11, forming a group called the Crystalettes. At 13, while working for the Black Panthers' school lunch program, she was christened Chaka ("Fire") by an African shaman. By 15 she was performing in local clubs under that name.

At 18, Chaka brought her impassioned contralto to the Los Angeles band Rufus. The band's 1974 Rags to Rufus netted a Grammy for "Tell Me Something Good," written for Chaka by Stevie Wonder. In just five years, Rufus made 11 albums with nine Top 40 hits.

Leaving Rufus for a solo career in 1978, Chaka teamed with Ashford & Simpson on the Quincy Jones classic "Stuff Like That," and released her first solo album with the smash title hit, "I'm Every Woman." Her follow-up album, Naughty, includes Luther Vandross and a 16-year-old backup singer named Whitney Houston.

In 1983 Chaka briefly rejoined Rufus to record Stompin' at the Savoy (Live). This led to the watershed cut, "Ain't Nobody," which was also a Grammy winner in 1984. With another Grammy for "I Feel for You," composed by Prince and featuring Stevie Wonder, and "Through the Fire," 1984 proved a breakthrough year.

Kahn now has her own label (Earth Song), a production company (Raeven Productions), and a line of charity "Chakalates." Proceeds go to the Chaka Khan Foundation, which supports women with HIV, housing, and domestic violence concerns.