Chaka Khan (meaning "fire" in many African languages) came onto the music scene like a warrior. No one sounded like her. Chaka and Rufus created a new sound. It was rock, soul and gospel. Hits were " Tell Me Something Good" penned by Stevie Wonder, "Whoever's Thrilling You Is Killing Me", "Once You Get Started", and many more hits before Chaka stepped out on her own. Then there was the Ashford and Simpson classic, "I'm Every Woman", Chaka could do no wrong, or so we thought. Then there were the years of drugs, and hard living, all the makings of a true diva. And like most divas, there's a younger sister. Chaka birth name: Yvette Marie, her younger sister, Yvonne aka Taka Boom.

Taka Boom was the lead singer for Motown recording artist, The Undisputed Truth, who had a club hit, "You Plus Me" and Taka also sang lead for The Glass Family, another group that never really got off the ground. During the 80's the club kids were excited to discover that Chaka's had a younger sister, Taka. She, like her sister, a small woman with a big, loud, strong, power voice. The unique thing was that she didn't sound like her older sister, whereas a lot of the other divas, the younger siblings reminded you of the older. But Taka did borrow the wild hair and sexy warrior look.

If you go onto "YouTube", check out Taka (Swahili word for "love of my people") listen to her sound and you may wonder why she was not allowed to have an unique career like her sister. Perhaps its because of the bad pairing of second rate song writers and 80's music. Her first solo album was released in 1979. Also interesting is that the two sisters have never recorded together but maybe one day. Many may not know Taka Boom, here in the states but in Europe, where you are known based on talent and not your latest recording, she's a superstar in her own right.

The wonderful thing about the sisters is that as they have matured, they have made their careers a family business, as Chaka's mother is her manager and Taka has the other sister, Tammy, as her manager- all live in Europe and here in the United States.

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