Chaka Khan, singer and songwriter

Chaka Khan’s unmistakeable voice and musical versatility have made her one of the most influential musicians of the past six decades, with an estimated 70 million records sold. Whether fronting the band Rufus or performing as a solo artist, she's moved effortlessly between funk, soul, jazz, and pop, creating era-defining hits including I'm Every Woman, Ain't Nobody and I Feel For You.

She grew up in Chicago, in an artistic family where she was surrounded by music. As a teenager, she became involved with the Affro-Arts Theater, where she was given the Yoruba name Chaka, and a political awakening led her to join the Black Panther Party.

By her late teens, she had joined Rufus, whose breakthrough hit Tell Me Something Good launched the band to international success and marked the beginning of her recording career. She has since won 11 Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Award in 2026, been inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and collaborated with some of music’s modern greats, including Stevie Wonder, Miles Davis, Joni Mitchell and Prince.

Chaka lives on a farm in Georgia, surrounded by family.

DISC ONE: What Is and What Should Never Be - Led Zeppelin
DISC TWO: Good Times - Aretha Franklin
DISC THREE: Tomaas - Miles Davis
DISC FOUR: California - Joni Mitchell
DISC FIVE: Tell Me Something Good - Rufus, Chaka Khan
DISC SIX: A Woman in a Man's World - Chaka Khan
DISC SEVEN: Cool Water - Joni Mitchell (duet with Willie Nelson)
DISC EIGHT: Precious Is Your Name - Richard Smallwood featuring Chaka Khan

BOOK CHOICE: The Prophet by Kahlil Gibran
LUXURY ITEM: A gigantic sandalwood and oud candle
CASTAWAY'S FAVOURITE: Precious Is Your Name - Richard Smallwood featuring Chaka Khan

Presenter: Lauren Laverne
Producer: Hannah Hufford & Tim Bano

Desert Island Discs has cast away other music legends to the island over the years including Nile Rogers and Cher. Chaka Khan’s records have been chosen by previous castaways including Simon Pegg and David Harewood. You can hear their programmes if you search through BBC Sounds or our own Desert Island Discs website.