Funk singer Chaka Khan honored on Hollywood Walk of Fame

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Funk Singer and songwriter Chaka Khan was honored with a dedication of a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame held Thursday in west Los Angeles, culminating a 40-plus-year singing career which won her 10 Grammy Awards.

The Queen of Funk was joined by singer Stevie Wonder at a ceremony held in front of the My Studio Nightclub, who chimed in when she was singing her first hit with the funk band Rufus in the 1970s, "Tell Me Something Good."

The tune landed her first Grammy in 1975 as the best R&B vocal performer. It was written by Wonder.

"This is a blessing," Khan, 58, said at the ceremony. She also led Wonder, who is blind, to the new star and helped him touch the letters and recording icon engraved on the miniature monument. This is the 2,440th star that dots the sidewalk of the landmark boulevard in honor of established entertainers.

Born Yvette Marie Stevens on March 23, 1953 in Chicago, Khan began her singing career by forming the all-female vocal group the Crystalettes when she was 11 years old. She later sang for Shades of Black, Lyfe, the Babysitters before joining the group that would first bring her fame, Rufus, as the lead singer at the age of 19.

Her signature hits, both with Rufus and as a solo performer, include "Tell Me Something Good", "Sweet Thing", "Ain't Nobody", "I'm Every Woman", "I Feel for You" and "Through the Fire."

She has won 10 Grammy Awards, including two as a member of Rufus, and received 22 Grammy Award nominations including three as a member of the Chicago-originated funk band.

The singer's most recent album, "Funk This," released in 2007, won her a Grammy for best R&B album.

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