Rufusized

Rufusized is the third studio album by funk band Rufus (billed as Rufus featuring Chaka Khan) on the ABC Records label in 1974, their second album release that year. The album peaked at #7 on the Billboard album chart the week ending March 1, 1975.

History

By 1974, Rufus had gone from a popular local bar attraction in Chicago to a platinum-selling rock band on the strength of one gold-selling album and two hit singles. They also would boost their profile opening for superstars such as Marvin Gaye and The Rolling Stones and appearing on shows such as Soul Train, American Bandstand and The Mike Douglas Show. Their popularity had blown to huge proportions that the media was paying more attention to the band's frenetic, fiery lead singer, Chaka Khan, than the rest of the group. Due to Khan's strong vocals and loud appearance, which included a funky, frizzy redhead Afro and revealing clothing, she was immediately given comparisons to her singing idols, Aretha Franklin and Tina Turner.