Chaka Khan is the latest woman to be inducted into the coveted Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s Class of 2023. She is a global music star that has served as an inspiration for generations of singers, songwriters, recording artists, storytellers, and musicians. Aside from being a singer, she is a distinguished songwriter, producer, visual artist, author, actress, humanitarian, activist, and mother.

While her birth certificate may say Yvette Marie Stevens, in many ways, Chaka Khan is one of a kind.

She is a trendsetter, a fighter, and a survivor. She redefined pop, soul, jazz, and funk, and has helped mold the contemporary music landscape into what it is today.

Although Chaka has affectionately been referred to as the “Queen of Funk” and is also known as the “Empress of Funk, Rock, and Soul,” she prefers to ditch the genre-limiting monikers. After all, she has the rare ability to sing in eight different music genres, these include R&B/soul, pop, rock, gospel, country, world music, dance, and classical music.

Chaka has developed a vast and loyal international fan base, and she has performed on six continents.