The “Queen of Funk,” Chaka Khan, thrilled her admirers at the Tiny Desk with a performance of her hit song “Sweet Thing,” and the overwhelming response from the crowd highlighted her continuing impact on music. Beginning her career with the funk group Rufus in the 1970s, Khan’s career has included 22 albums, 10 Grammy Awards, and partnerships with legendary artists like Quincy Jones, Prince, and Stevie Wonder. Her 2023 admission into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame marked the culmination of her 50-year career in the music business.

With bassist Melvin Davis, drummer Jay Williams, and guitarist Rob Bacon on the talk box, the group opened with a groovy version of “Tell Me Something Good.” The crowd at the workplace couldn’t help but groove to hits like “Ain’t Nobody” and “What Cha’ Gonna Do For Me.” One of Khan’s backup vocalists, Tiffany Smith, was pleased with how she handled the difficult passages of “Sweet Thing.”

Khan sang “I’m Every Woman,” an anthem that has empowered women for decades and was composed by Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson, to end the concert. Khan’s strong voice and ageless appeal made the song the ideal capstone for a month honoring Black women’s contributions to music.

The performance had Melvin Davis on bass, Jesse Milliner on keys, Rob Bacon on guitar, Euro Zambrano on percussion, Jay Williams on drums, and Audrey Wheeler-Downing, Tiffany Smith, and Trina Broussard on backup vocals. The Tiny Desk crew, with Joshua Bryant directing and editing and Neil Tevault handling the audio, produced a faultless production under the direction of producers Bobby Carter and Mitra I. Arthur. Chaka Khan captivated audiences with her intense and emotional performances during her Tiny Desk concert, solidifying her place in music history.