Chaka Khan Mesmerizes Netizens with Stunning Tiny Desk Concert Performance for Black Music Month: ‘She Always Delivers’
In celebration of Black Music Month this year, NPR’s Tiny Desk Concert series is highlighting female musicians. The series featured music icon Chaka Khan in a memorable 35-minute performance on Tuesday, June 18th, where she performed some of her greatest hits.
The 10-time Grammy winner opened with the energetic “Tell Me Something Good” and went on to deliver powerful renditions of “What Cha’ Gonna Do for Me” and “Stay,” all while enjoying a cup of tea. The performance featured guitarist Rob Bacon on a talk box, bassist Melvin Davis, and drummer Jay Williams, providing a funky groove.
Chaka Khan’s Tiny Desk Concert for Black Music Month wows audiences
“It’s tiny, but it’s nice to be so close together with all of you, I can see not only your eyes but your whole face. That’s a really nice thing. You’re not just a whole glob of flesh,” Khan remarked during the performance.
While the live audience enjoyed hits like “What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me” and “Ain’t Nobody,” online fans were blown away by the musical brilliance they witnessed. One fan on X remarked, “Chaka Khan is truly one of the best singers of our time. Watching her sing is one of my favorite pastimes… because it looks so effortless. People will literally pass out trying to keep up with Chaka on stage.”
Chaka Khan is really one of the best singers of our time.
Watching her sing is one of my favorite pastimes… because it looks so effortless. People will literally pass out trying to keep up with Chaka on stage.
Another fan added, “Chaka Khan still has it. She will always have it. This is a Tiny Desk for the ages.” Many others agreed, noting that they got goosebumps hearing Khan sing.
Chaka Khan still has it. She will always have it. This is a Tiny Desk for the ages.
Tiny Desk DJ wrote, “Show @ChakaKhan the love she deserves.”
Keep runnin it up. Show @ChakaKhan the love she deserves. Friday, we go to church. #blackmusicmonth #tinydesk 💐💐💐 📸 @djmradams pic.twitter.com/cYhnPxUHvC
Another X user expressed their excitement, “This Chaka Khan Tiny Desk concert is giving me life.” They continued, “[Khan] remains the crush of my whole fam. FINER THAN FROG HAIRS and the voice is just all the things.”
This Chaka Khan Tiny Desk concert is giving me life. @DJCuzzinB wasn’t lying about it being one of the best.
Also, @ChakaKhan remains the crush of my whole fam. FINER THAN FROG HAIRS and the voice is just all the things. pic.twitter.com/Dx7eOIGazx
Chaka Khan wraps up Tiny Desk Concert empowering women
To conclude the Tiny Desk concert, Khan performed the empowering anthem “I’m Every Woman” penned by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson. This song has inspired women for over two decades and was a fitting close to a performance that celebrated the contributions of black women in music.
The crowd was like, “We got this one…” #ChakaKhan pic.twitter.com/0UdvDilChR
Since her early days with Rufus in the 1970s, where they played funk music, Chaka Khan has had a remarkable career with 22 albums, 10 Grammy Awards, jazz ventures, and collaborations with music icons like Prince, Stevie Wonder, Joni Mitchell, and Quincy Jones. In 2023, she was rightfully inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame for her lasting impact in the music industry spanning over five decades.
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