Anita Baker: Quiet Storm” R&B Queen who paved way for the new generation of muisc superstars.
Black singers have always had it tough in the entertainment scene, being called unprintable names topped up with not having the luxury of a listening ear. Thankfully however the 80s ushered in a shift in the dynamics of things, many thanks to iconic singers like Whitney Houston and Sade Adu and later on Anita Baker who came on board with unquestionable talent and finesse.
A raw talent in the 80s, American singer-songwriter Anita Denise Baker armed with her three octave vocal range and powerful delivery emerged the most promising act at the time. By the ’90s, the Detroit native was established as one of the most remarkable voices of contemporary Urban music genre.
Sweeping hearts with Sweet Love, Rapture amongst others, Baker went on to engrave herself in the heart of R&B lovers with her powerful husky voice, soulful music and magnetic performances.
Barely 5feet tall, the Grammy winner whose super successful career has applaudably spanned over three decades, commands an uncommon presence on and off the stage with her vibrant personality and spectacular music.
Baker, with four Platinum Albums and two Gold Albums, has won eight Grammy Awards, four American Music Awards, other numerous other awards and counting, including a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Singing has always been the diva’s world right from age 12. She realised her passion real quick and didn’t waste time investing in music, vocal expansion, voice trainings… Baker couldn’t get enough, obviously she was a born star.
Anita Baker, born January 23, 1958 in Toledo, Ohio, to a young teenager who gave her up for adoption to a Detroit couple, everly talented, the music diva started her musical journey after high school, in the late 1970s.
Baker joined to a local Detroit funk group called Chapter 8, which had signed a record deal with Ariola Records. The group only succeded in recording one album before Baker left music and took a job working in a Detroit law office.
In 1983, Baker retraced her steps and returned to the music business after being asked to record an album for Beverly Glen record label. The album titled “The Songstress” was released, gaining a warm reception, luckily it caught the attention of Elektra Records. Thus, Baker landed her first major record deal.
Three years later in 1986, fame came calling many thanks to the release of her Platinum-selling second album, Rapture, which hosted the Grammy-winning single “Sweet Love”.
Baker in 1988 went on to release her third album, “Giving You the Best I Got”- the album earned Baker three more Grammy awards. Two years later saw the release of her fourth album titled “Compositions” The album peaked at #5 on the US Billboard 200 and was certified platinum in 1990, making it Baker’s third platinum selling album. The album also won the Grammy Award for Best Female R&B Vocal Performance at the 1991 Grammy Awards.
In 2005, the R&B icon released Christmas Fantasy, her seventh and final studio album.
The eight time Grammy award winning music powerhouse whose singing prowess, vocal sophistication and endearing personality commands the spotlight with ease is no doubt one of the finest vocalist of all time to have ever graced the music stage.
Deeply passionate about music, her distinct music, a delightful soulful blend of R&B, gospel, jazz, blues and traditional pop is always a delight to the ears. Hiatus or not, passion keeps drawing this diva back to the spotlight and we can’t help but revel.
A hail the Queen ?????
