Taka Boom

Born Yvonne Stevens, 1954

The sister of Chaka Khan, vocalist Yvonne Stephens forged a new identity by combining the Swahili word for 'love of my people' (Taka) with a last name derived from her ex-husband's occupation (demolitions expert). She worked alongside Khan locally in their hometown of Chicago until Chaka joined Rufus, and Taka moved to Los Angeles. Boom was a session vocalist in the early '70's, singing with the Gap Band and Carl Carlton, as well as being a member of George Clinton's Brides of Funkenstein. She served as lead vocalist for Undisputed Truth in 1975, then signed as a solo singer with Ariola. Her debut LP, 'Taka Boom', was released in 1979, and the single 'Night Dancing' became her only R & B Top 20 hit (at 20). Following that release, Taka joined the Norman Whitfield produced group Dream Machine for one album entitled 'Dream Machine' for the RCA label in 1981. She later returned to a solo career, switching to Mirage, and made the LP 'Climate for Love' in 1985. 'Middle of the Night' received some attention as a single, however the album received less success. After moving to London in the mid-'90's, she began session work and took up consistent live appearances.

Tags: Vocalist

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