• 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.

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