Class Acts: Chaka Khan

The legendary vocalist hits the stage at UNCF!

Class Acts: Chaka Khan - In 1971, Chicago native Chaka Khan is recruited to be the vocal lead for Ask Rufus, a local band. Because of her extraordinary singing, Ask Rufus is offered a record deal with ABC/Dunhill Records. Upon signing with the label, the group shortens its name to Rufus. Now 21 years later Chaka is set to grace the stage at the 2012 UNCF: An Evening of Stars celebration. (Photo: GAB Archive/Redferns)

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Class Acts: Chaka Khan - In 1971, Chicago native Chaka Khan is recruited to be the vocal lead for Ask Rufus, a local band. Because of her extraordinary singing, Ask Rufus is offered a record deal with ABC/Dunhill Records. Upon signing with the label, the group shortens its name to Rufus. Now 21 years later Chaka is set to grace the stage at the 2012 UNCF: An Evening of Stars celebration. (Photo: GAB Archive/Redferns)

A Wonderful Help - Changing its name to Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan, the band releases its second studio album, Rags to Rufus. This time the group's LP gains sales and acclaim because of the smash single "Tell Me Something Good," a song Stevie Wonder wrote solely for Chaka. The song also wins Rufus a Grammy. (Photo: ABC Records)

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A Wonderful Help - Changing its name to Rufus Featuring Chaka Khan, the band releases its second studio album, Rags to Rufus. This time the group's LP gains sales and acclaim because of the smash single "Tell Me Something Good," a song Stevie Wonder wrote solely for Chaka. The song also wins Rufus a Grammy. (Photo: ABC Records)

Masters of the Jam - Between 1974 and 1979, Rufus release hit LPs like Rufus: Featuring Chaka Khan, Rufusized, Ask Rufus, Street Player and Masterjam. From these albums the group produces Chaka classics like "Sweet Thing," "Hollywood" and "Dance With Me." (Photo: ABC Records) 

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Masters of the Jam - Between 1974 and 1979, Rufus release hit LPs like Rufus: Featuring Chaka Khan, Rufusized, Ask Rufus, Street Player and Masterjam. From these albums the group produces Chaka classics like "Sweet Thing," "Hollywood" and "Dance With Me." (Photo: ABC Records) 

The New World of Chaka - Signing to Warner Bros. Records as a solo artist, Chaka releases her debut solo LP, Ckaka, in 1978. The album goes gold with the help of the Ashford & Simpson-written classic "I'm Every Woman." That same year, Chaka is also a featured performer on the Quincy Jones hit "Stuff Like That." (Photo: Warner Bros Music)

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The New World of Chaka - Signing to Warner Bros. Records as a solo artist, Chaka releases her debut solo LP, Ckaka, in 1978. The album goes gold with the help of the Ashford & Simpson-written classic "I'm Every Woman." That same year, Chaka is also a featured performer on the Quincy Jones hit "Stuff Like That." (Photo: Warner Bros Music)

Naughty and Nice - In 1980, Chaka releases her second solo disc, Naughty. Once again, Chaka's singing turns songs like "Clouds," "Get Ready, Get Set," and "Papillon" into soul music standards.  (Photo: Warner Brothers Music) 

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Naughty and Nice - In 1980, Chaka releases her second solo disc, Naughty. Once again, Chaka's singing turns songs like "Clouds," "Get Ready, Get Set," and "Papillon" into soul music standards.  (Photo: Warner Brothers Music) 

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Lifting Her Voice  - Chaka makes her film debut in 1980 with her cameo appearance as a church choir soloist in The Blues Brothers, starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. (Photo: Universal Studios)

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Lifting Her Voice  - Chaka makes her film debut in 1980 with her cameo appearance as a church choir soloist in The Blues Brothers, starring John Belushi and Dan Aykroyd. (Photo: Universal Studios)

Chaka in Double Time  - The year 1981 is another busy period for Chaka, who releases both a Rufus and a solo LP. The Rufus disc Camouflage produced hits like "Music Man" and "Secret Friend," while the title track from Chaka's third LP, What Cha' Gonna Do for Me, becomes another R&B classic.  (Photos from Left to Right: Courtesy MCA, Courtesy Warner Bros)

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Chaka in Double Time  - The year 1981 is another busy period for Chaka, who releases both a Rufus and a solo LP. The Rufus disc Camouflage produced hits like "Music Man" and "Secret Friend," while the title track from Chaka's third LP, What Cha' Gonna Do for Me, becomes another R&B classic.  (Photos from Left to Right: Courtesy MCA, Courtesy Warner Bros)

Echoes of the Past - Given Chaka's vocal style being heavily influenced by jazz, she accepts an invitation to be the lead vocalist for the 1981 jazz album Echoes of an Era. Her fourth studio LP, which self-titled, is released the same year. Both win Chaka Grammys.   (Photo: Elektra Records)

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Echoes of the Past - Given Chaka's vocal style being heavily influenced by jazz, she accepts an invitation to be the lead vocalist for the 1981 jazz album Echoes of an Era. Her fourth studio LP, which self-titled, is released the same year. Both win Chaka Grammys.   (Photo: Elektra Records)

Stompin' at the Savoy - In 1983, Rufus and Chaka release their last LP together, Stompin at the Savoy — Live. The double album yields the hit single "Ain't Nobody" and wins the team a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal.  (Photo: Courtesy Warner Bros)

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Stompin' at the Savoy - In 1983, Rufus and Chaka release their last LP together, Stompin at the Savoy — Live. The double album yields the hit single "Ain't Nobody" and wins the team a Grammy for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group With Vocal.  (Photo: Courtesy Warner Bros)

Chaka Khan Wanna Rock You - Chaka releases her biggest selling (and most pop-sounding) album, I Feel for You, in 1983. The title track is a remake of a Prince tune and features a rap by hip hop pioneer Melle Mell (from the Furious Five). The song is a massive hit and earns Chaka her second Grammy.  (Photo: courtesy Warner Bros)

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Chaka Khan Wanna Rock You - Chaka releases her biggest selling (and most pop-sounding) album, I Feel for You, in 1983. The title track is a remake of a Prince tune and features a rap by hip hop pioneer Melle Mell (from the Furious Five). The song is a massive hit and earns Chaka her second Grammy.  (Photo: courtesy Warner Bros)

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Quincy's Muse - For his 1990 LP, Back on the Block producer Quincy Jones has Chaka duet with Ray Charles for a remake of the Brothers Johnson hit "I'll Be Good to You." The song earns the veteran vocalist another Grammy.  (Photo: Courtesy Qwest)

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Quincy's Muse - For his 1990 LP, Back on the Block producer Quincy Jones has Chaka duet with Ray Charles for a remake of the Brothers Johnson hit "I'll Be Good to You." The song earns the veteran vocalist another Grammy.  (Photo: Courtesy Qwest)

The Lady's in Control - Chaka, for the first time, assumes the role of executive producer when she releases her 1992 disc, The Woman I Am. Hit singles from the album, which wins Chaka another Grammy, include "Love You All My Lifetime" and "You Can Make the Story Right." (Photo: Courtesy Warner Bros)

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The Lady's in Control - Chaka, for the first time, assumes the role of executive producer when she releases her 1992 disc, The Woman I Am. Hit singles from the album, which wins Chaka another Grammy, include "Love You All My Lifetime" and "You Can Make the Story Right." (Photo: Courtesy Warner Bros)

Chaka's House - After departing from Warner Bros. Records, Chaka signs to Prince's NPG label in 1998 and puts out the album Come 2 My House. Afterward she embarks on a hugely successful tour with his Purple Highness.  (Photo: courtesy NPG Records)

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Chaka's House - After departing from Warner Bros. Records, Chaka signs to Prince's NPG label in 1998 and puts out the album Come 2 My House. Afterward she embarks on a hugely successful tour with his Purple Highness.  (Photo: courtesy NPG Records)

The Lady Is a Classic - For her 10th studio disc Chaka releases the jazz-inspired ClassiKhan — featuring the London Symphony Orchestra — on the then indie label Sanctuary Records. She also publishes her memoir Chaka! Through the Fire. (Photo: Sanctuary Records)

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The Lady Is a Classic - For her 10th studio disc Chaka releases the jazz-inspired ClassiKhan — featuring the London Symphony Orchestra — on the then indie label Sanctuary Records. She also publishes her memoir Chaka! Through the Fire. (Photo: Sanctuary Records)

Funky Diva - When Chaka put out her 2007 LP, Funk This, critics hail the project as her comeback album. Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, it features the singles "Angel" and the Grammy-winning Mary J. Blige duet, "Disrespectful." Chaka is also honored at the 2006 BET Awards with a Lifetime Achievement Award.  (Photo: Courtesy Burgundy Records)

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Funky Diva - When Chaka put out her 2007 LP, Funk This, critics hail the project as her comeback album. Produced by Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis, it features the singles "Angel" and the Grammy-winning Mary J. Blige duet, "Disrespectful." Chaka is also honored at the 2006 BET Awards with a Lifetime Achievement Award.  (Photo: Courtesy Burgundy Records)

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Chaka Hits Broadway - After starring in the musicals Mama, I Want to Sing and Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Chaka Khan makes her Broadway debut in the production of The Color Purple at the Broadway Theatre in 2008.  (Photo: Jemal Countess/WireImage)

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Chaka Hits Broadway - After starring in the musicals Mama, I Want to Sing and Signed, Sealed, Delivered, Chaka Khan makes her Broadway debut in the production of The Color Purple at the Broadway Theatre in 2008.  (Photo: Jemal Countess/WireImage)

A Star Is Confirmed - In 2011, Khan is honored with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star plaque on a section of Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.  (Photo: Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

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A Star Is Confirmed - In 2011, Khan is honored with a Hollywood Walk of Fame star plaque on a section of Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles.  (Photo: Valerie Macon/Getty Images)

Chaka Khan - Singer Chaka Khan peforms onstage at day 2 of the 2012 BET Awards rehearsals held at The Shrine Auditorium on June 29, 2012 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo: Michael Buckner/Getty Images For BET)

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Chaka n' Awe - Chaka and Rufus are jointly nominated to be inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. The nod comes primarily because of Chaka's work with the band as well as her solo projects.