After years of vocal training and performing in nightclubs, Roberta Flack achieved commercial success on June 12, 1971. Her song "You've Got a Friend" with Donny Hathaway became her first song to appear on the Billboard Hot 100.
"You've Got a Friend" is a cover of a song originally performed by singer Carol King. It was the first single from Flack and Hathaway's duet album, Roberta Flack & Donny Hathaway. The song went on to receive a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Vocal Performance by a Group. 
Soon after Flack released "The First Time I Ever Saw Your Face," "Killing Me Softly With His Song" and "Feel Like Makin' Love," which all reached the top of the charts. Flack went on to win four Grammys including one for Record of the Year. 
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