The UNCF Honors Chaka Khan

The UNCF tribute to Chaka Khan aired last night on BET. The evening was filled with a star studded line of well known artists. Among them included Stevie Wonder, Faith Evans, Ginuwine, Fantasia, and Ledisi.

"This year's UNCF An Evening of Stars is exciting and filled with high-energy performances of Chaka Khan's greatest hits such as 'Tell Me Something Good,' 'What Cha Gonna Do for Me?' and many others from her extensive song book, as we celebrate not only her contribution to the music industry but her dedication to minority education, “ said UNCF President and CEO Dr. Michael L. Lomax. (watch performances below)

Chaka Khan is a big supporter of the UNCF, an organization that raises money for minority students. Since its first tribute in 1979 it has raised over $200 million and has helped hundreds of thousands of students to attend college and graduate.

An Evening of Stars Tribute to Chaka Khan

Chaka Khan will be honored on January 29th, 2011 during the United Negro College fund event, which will be held at the Tulalip Resort Casino. An Evening of Stars Tribute to Chaka Khan is also presented by Target.

“Chaka Khan has consistently supported UNCF throughout her career, inspiring and empowering young people to pursue education,” said Lacie West, Area Development Director for UNCF in the Pacific Northwest. “We honor her for her contributions to the entertainment industry and for her dedication to helping minority students earn the college degrees they need and our nation needs them to have.”

During the event, the UNCF will announce their Star Power Team Challenge Winner and HBCU alum of the Year awards to Keith Toussaint, a graduate of Howard University and Leslie Womack, a graduate of Fisk University.

Chaka Khan will be honored by stars from the world of music, TV, and education. Her songs will be performed by Fantasia, Melanie Fiona, Bettye LaVette, Herbie Hancock, Angie Stone, Ledisi, El DeBarge, Estelle, Faith Evans, Melanie Fiona, Ginuwine, and 25--time Grammy Award winner Stevie Wonder. Performing a duet are Chaka’s brother, Mark Stevens and her daughter, Indira Khan.

“I am honored to be able to contribute to UNCF’s mission of helping kids get a good education from pre-school through college,” says Chaka Khan. “Education opens doors of opportunity and will enable our youth and our nation to have a brighter future.”

About the UNCF:

The United Negro College Fund–is the nation's largest and most effective minority education organization. To serve youth, the community and the nation, UNCF supports more than 60,000 students at over 900 colleges and universities across the country. UNCF supports education through scholarships and other programs, by supporting its 39 member colleges and universities, and by advocating for the importance of minority education. UNCF institutions and other historically black colleges and universities are highly effective, awarding 21 percent of African American baccalaureate degrees. UNCF administers more than 400 programs, including scholarship, internship and fellowship, mentoring, summer enrichment, and curriculum and faculty development programs. The UNCF logo features the torch of leadership in education and its widely recognized motto, "A mind is a terrible thing to waste."® Learn more at www.uncf.org.

Make sure to see this unique tribute on Saturday, January 29th, or Sunday, January 30th:

An evening of Stars Tribute to Chaka Khan presented nationally on more than 40 stations in major markets on Saturday, January 29th and on Sunday, January 30th on BET Networks at 10 p.m. ET and WGN America at 3:00 a.m. CT. 

Chaka Khan and Macy Gray Close Toronto Jazz Festival

The TD Toronto Jazz Festival came to an amazing end with a free concert that drew traffic-blocking crowds to Yonge-Dundas Square.

Chaka Khan and Macy Gray were the double treat for yesterday evening's closing of the festival. Both singers truly impressed the crowd with their stellar performances and voices.

Chaka Khan, who was considered to be the headliner pleased the audience with classics such as “Through the Fire,” “Sweet Thing” and “I’m Every Woman”.

Macy Gray was more laid back, she included microphone feedback and sang songs from her new album "Beauty in the World". The crowd got very excited when she sang her classic track “I Try.”

Chaka Khan To Receive Walk of Fame Star!

Chaka Khan has earned herself a star on the Hollywood of fame. It was officially announced yesterday through the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce.

In 2006, Chaka Khan was honored by BET for her contributions to music at the BET Awards.

Bryan Adams, The Funk Brothers, Alan Jackson, Van Morrison, Marco Antonio Solis, Ringo Starr, ZZ Top and posthumously Roy Orbison are among the other many stars who will be receiving a star in 2010.

This version of the song became a million-selling smash in the U.S. and UK, and it helped to relaunch Khan's career. The song peaked at #3 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart in December 1984, matching her previous highest pop chart position from ten years prior (the 1974 hit single, "Tell Me Something Good", which she recorded with the band Rufus). The single reached #1 on both the U.S. dance and R&B charts in late 1984, remaining atop both for three weeks apiece. In addition, the song also reached #1 on the UK Singles Chart. While touring with Prince in 1998 in support of her collaborative album, Come 2 My House, Khan and Prince performed "I Feel for You" as a duet. (Wikipedia)