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Artist
Anita Baker
12+ albums
soulfemale vocalistsSmooth Jazzjazzrnb
about
Anita Denise Baker (born January 26, 1958) is an American jazz and soul singer known for her ballads, particularly during the quiet storm era of the 1980s. She began her career in the late 1970s with the funk band Chapter 8, and released her first solo album, "The Songstress", in 1983. She gained wider recognition with her second album, "Rapture" (1986), which included the Grammy-winning single "Sweet Love". As of 2017, Baker has received eight Grammy Awards and has achieved four Platinum and two Gold albums. She is a contralto with a wide vocal range. Baker was born in Toledo, Ohio, and raised by a foster family in Detroit, Michigan, after being abandoned by her mother. Following the death of her foster parents when she was twelve, she was raised by her foster sister. She began singing R&B in Detroit nightclubs at age sixteen and was discovered by bandleader David Washington, who connected her with Chapter 8. Baker joined the band in 1975, and their self-titled debut album was released in 1979, featuring the singles "Ready for Your Love" and "I Just Want to Be Your Girl". After the group was dropped by Arista Records, Baker returned to Detroit and worked outside of music until beginning a solo career under Beverly Glen Records in 1982. Her debut album, "The Songstress", produced four singles, including "No More Tears", "Will You Be Mine", "Angel" and "You're the Best Thing Yet". "Angel" reached number five on the R&B chart. Baker later moved to Elektra Records, where she r
