@chakakhan
Chaka KhanOn this day in 1978, CHAKA arrived, marking the beginning of Chaka Khan’s solo recording career while she was still very much a member of Rufus. Released October 12 and produced by the legendary Arif Mardin, the album reached No. 12 on the Billboard 200 and No. 2 on Billboard’s R&B albums chart. Overseas, CHAKA also charted in the Netherlands at No. 50 and Australia at No. 74. At the center of the album was Chaka’s first solo single, “I’m Every Woman,” written by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson. The song became an immediate anthem, reaching No. 1 on Billboard’s R&B chart for three weeks and No. 21 on the Hot 100. Its impact quickly spread internationally, climbing to No. 11 in the UK, No. 15 in the Netherlands, No. 16 in Ireland, No. 18 in New Zealand and No. 20 in Belgium. There are plenty of deep-cut surprises on CHAKA as well. George Benson shares vocals with Chaka on “We Got The Love,” while Rufus guitarist Tony Maiden appears on Chaka’s gender-flipped take on the Stevie Wonder classic “I Was Made To Love Him.” Chaka also co-wrote “Some Love,” while Mardin surrounded her with an extraordinary group of musicians that included Steve Ferrone, Will Lee, Richard Tee, Phil Upchurch and Hamish Stuart. The album was recorded primarily at Atlantic Recording Studios in New York, with additional work in Los Angeles. And of course, “I’m Every Woman” would take on another life in 1992 when Whitney Houston recorded it for THE BODYGUARD, with Chaka herself among the voices heard on the recording. Forty-eight years later, CHAKA still sounds like an artist opening a new door and discovering just how many directions she could go. What’s your favorite track on Chaka’s solo debut? #ChakaKhan #CHAKA #ImEveryWoman
On the profile · Oct 12, 2026