Anita Baker

Anita Baker Artistfacts

  • January 26, 1958
  • Born in 1958 in Toledo, Ohio, Anita Baker was abandoned by her biological mother at a young age. Raised by a foster family in Detroit, Michigan, she faced another loss when her foster parents died when she was just 12.
  • She started singing in church choirs, where the gospel sound influenced her powerful and soulful vocal style. By 16, Baker began singing R&B at Detroit nightclubs, honing her skills and developing a passion for the genre.
  • Before her solo career took off, Baker sang with the funk group Chapter 8. They achieved some success, but at the end of the 1970s, their record label dropped the band, with bosses saying Anita "couldn't sing" and had "no star quality."
  • After that rejection, Anita worked as a waitress and receptionist for several years before returning to music in 1982. Within four years, "Sweet Love" had become a worldwide hit and in 1987 earned her a Grammy award.
  • Several of Baker's albums reached Platinum status, and she clocked up five Hot 100 Top 40 hits. Both "Sweet Love" and "Giving You The Best That I Got" became radio staples and fan favorites.
  • Despite her immense talent and success, Baker has always been known for shyness and an aversion to the spotlight. She famously turned down lucrative endorsement deals and rarely gives interviews.
  • Anita Baker is a contralto. Contraltos are the lowest female voice type, and Baker's voice possesses both depth and impressive range. This allows her to deliver those rich, soulful ballads she's famous for.

Comments

Be the first to comment...

Editor's Picks

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat WorldSongwriter Interviews

Jim talks about the impact of "The Middle" and uses a tree metaphor to describe his songwriting philosophy.

Song Titles That Inspired Movies

Song Titles That Inspired MoviesSong Writing

Famous songs that lent their titles - and in some cases storylines - to movies.

Jim McCarty of The Yardbirds

Jim McCarty of The YardbirdsSongwriter Interviews

The Yardbirds drummer explains how they created their sound and talks about working with their famous guitarists.

Ian Gillan of Deep Purple

Ian Gillan of Deep PurpleSongwriter Interviews

Deep Purple frontman Ian Gillan explains the "few red lights" in "Smoke On The Water" and talks about songs from their 2020 album Whoosh!

Superman in Song

Superman in SongSong Writing

Not everyone can be a superhero, but that hasn't stopped generations of musicians from trying to be Superman.

Rick Astley

Rick AstleySongwriter Interviews

Rick Astley on "Never Gonna Give You Up," "Cry For Help," and his remarkable resurgence that gave him another #1 UK album.