Chaka Khan - "Smoking Room" (1974)

Rags To Rufus is the gold-selling second studio album by funk band Rufus, released on the ABC Records label in 1974. It reached #4 on both the Pop and Black Albums charts. It is notable for the hit singles "Tell Me Something Good" (US Pop #3, US R&B #3), written by Stevie Wonder, and "You Got the Love" (US Pop #11, US R&B #1), written by lead vocalist Chaka Khan and Ray Parker, Jr.. In 1975 "Tell Me Something Good" earned the band its first Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals

Chaka Khan, the stage name of Yvette Marie Stevens (born March 23, 1953) is an American singer-songwriter who gained fame in the seventies as the front woman and focal point of the funk-rock band Rufus. While still a member of the group in 1978, Khan embarked on a successful solo career. Her signature hits, both with Rufus and solo, include "Tell Me Something Good", "Sweet Thing", "Ain't Nobody", "I'm Every Woman", "I Feel for You" and "Through the Fire".

Khan was born Yvette Marie Stevens in 1953 in Chicago, Illinois. Raised in Chicago's rough Southside projects, Khan, who is of African American and Native American ancestry, was the eldest of four children to Charles and Sandra Stevens. Raised initially as Roman Catholic by her parents. Khan attributed her love of music to her grandmother, who introduced her to jazz music as a child. Khan became a fan of R&B music as a preteen and at eleven formed her first all-female singing group the Crystalettes. In the mid 1960s, Khan formed the vocal group Shades of Black and joined the Black Panther Party. Khan often was seen around a handgun while a member of the Panthers. While a member, she was given a name change to Chaka Adunne Aduffe Hodarhi Karifi. In 1969, she dropped out of high school and she married Indian bassist Assan Khan and later shortened her name to Chaka Khan in 1970. That same year, she joined a popular Chicago-area band named Rufus initially as a background vocalist. After the departure of the original front woman Paulette McWilliams in 1972, Khan assumed the front woman position, something she'd continue until the departure of the group.

Khan has been married three times and has two children. Khan married her first husband, Assan Khan, in 1969. They divorced following the birth of Khan's daughter Indira. In 1976, Khan married white businessman Richard Holland. Their marriage produced a son, Damien. In 1980, the couple divorced. In 2001, Khan married a third time to Doug Rasheed, which ended in divorce three years later. Khan is also the grandmother of two. In 2006 Khan's son Damien Holland was accused of murder after 17-year-old Christopher Bailey was shot to death. Khan testified on her son's behalf defending her son's innocence. Holland was found not guilty and confirmed Holland's defense that the shooting was an accident.

Khan has struggled with drug abuse, alcoholism and weight over the years. After an on-again and off-again addiction, in 2007, Khan declared herself sober. Though she sang at both the 2000 Democratic and Republican conventions, Khan says that she is more of a "Democratic-minded person". In 1990, Khan immigrated to the United Kingdom where she had a steady relationship. She split her time between Los Angeles and London but has been living mainly in London since 2006.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Chaka
• Khan
• Smoking
• Room
• Rags
• to
• Rufus
• 1974
• soul
• R&B
• funk
• female
• vocalist
• TheBacmaster
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[abetterfoto]

Sooo glad to hear this song! Thank you for posting..gotta play it again

[TheBacmaster]

@abetterfoto This video was requested and made for one of my subscribers. We should thank her also...

It was her idea. Yes, I do take any requests. Thank you

Regards from,

Joe

[qstar304]

I THINK I PUT A HOLE IN THIS SONG I PLAYED IT SO MUCH!! ~~~ NOT TO MANY FOLKS KNOW ABOUT THIS SONG. MY FAVORITE BY MY GIRL

[TheBacmaster]

@qstar304 Not this generation! Nobody even comes close to Chaka Khan! She is just beautiful!!!

[ashlovesherson]

Want this song played at my wedding reception. Will i'm so glad i have the chance to spend right now with you.I love u baby.

[ssbbw00]

I only have four major entertainers that I love dearly chaka is one, pattie labelle MIchael Jackson(R I P) and Prince!!

[starsh57]

Wat great memories..thank u xx

[Venu337]

um what is a smoking room? is it wat i think it is? chaka you are so much fun lol. but not vulgar

[JuiceJapan]

The all time great.....Chaka Khan.

[ztruth4u]

One of my all time favs!

[quavision]

OMG! Can't believe I forgot about this wonderful song. Got me all teary eyed, Beautiful!!!

[LyricLove101]

THIS is total ballad. So sweet, and what a beautiful story . Every instrument is just groovin. Go Chaka!!

SO glad to know this song.. Love ya WM.

[msjmela8271891]

i maybe a baby but chaka was one of my favorite artist!!!!

[doubledelta8085]

one of my all time favorite rufus/chaka khan songs. to me, she proved that she could really sing on this song. love it.:-)