In order to become famous, African-American singer-songwriter Yvonne Chaka Chaka had to put her heart and soul into her music. Instead of settling for the ordinary, she pursued the unusual, refusing to allow fate or circumstances dictate where her life would go.

Their daughter was born in the central Soweto neighborhood of Dobsonville in 1965. Her father died when she was eleven years old. As a result, Sophie Machaka, her mother, was left as the family’s main breadwinner. She grew up in a three-bedroom house with her parents, two older sisters, and a younger brother.

She was the first black adolescent to feature on Sugar Shack, which premiered in 1981. Being a member of her church choir and having a distinctive singing voice gave her an edge over the competition. In 1985, Phill Hollis of Dephon Records signed her as a 19-year-old newcomer to their roster. About 35,000 copies of I’m in love with a DJ, her debut record, have been sold thus far. Then came Motherland, Who is the Bose?, and Burning Up! on which she made a splash. Sangoma, Mr. DJ, thank you so much! Africa Is A Force To Be Considered! Embrace Your African Identity with Pride! Who’s in Charge? Among the others is Kwenzenjani.

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