NEW YORK—Appearing before a crowd of hundreds of admirers and fellow entertainment industry luminaries, Chaka Khan was inducted into the Apollo Legends Hall of Fame on June 10.
Khan, a 10 time Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter, was honored for her 40 years in the music industry at the star-studded event that included famous audience members, presenters and performers. Some of them included Patti LaBelle, Mary J. Blige, Sarah Jessica Parker, and host Wayne Brady.
The annual spring gala, now in its 8th year, doubles as one of the Apollo’s biggest fundraising events. According to event organizers, at least $1.5 million was raised. Some of the money will go toward funding the arts, culture, and community work that the Apollo supports in Harlem.
Speaking of the history of the Apollo and the role that it has played in the community, Apollo CEO and President Jonelle Procope lauded its legendary status.
“It is a place that has given artistic brilliance a platform,” Procope told the audience at the beginning of the evening.
Khan, an iconic and legendary American singer, did not perform at the gala event because she was on forced voice rest.
“I was saving my voice all day for this,” she said in extremely brief comments as she stood at the podium to receive her award, which was presented by singer Erykah Badu.
Throughout the evening, singers dedicated their performances to Khan, often singing or speaking directly up to her box seat on the side of the stage. Most commonly heard was, “I love you, Chaka.”
