What Cha’ Gonna Do for Me

What Cha’ Gonna Do for Me, released in 1981, is Chaka Khan's third solo studio album and a definitive statement of her post-Rufus identity. Produced by the legendary Arif Mardin, the album solidified Khan's status as the 'Queen of Funk' while demonstrating her remarkable versatility across jazz-inflected R&B and sophisticated pop. The title track became a major R&B hit, but the album is perhaps best known among aficionados for its bold cover of The Beatles' 'We Can Work It Out' and the jazz-fusion sensibilities of 'Night Moods.' The recording features an elite roster of musicians, including members of the Average White Band, which contributes to the record's tight, syncopated pocket. Critically, it is often cited as one of her most consistent solo efforts, balancing commercial appeal with technical brilliance. It occupies a space in her catalog that bridges the gap between 70s soul and the synth-heavy R&B of the mid-80s, maintaining a heavy emphasis on live instrumentation and complex vocal arrangements.