Anita Baker

Anita Baker
Baker in 1998
Background information
Birth nameAnita Denise Baker
Born (1958-01-26) January 26, 1958
Toledo, Ohio, U.S.
OriginDetroit, Michigan, U.S.
Genres
OccupationSinger-songwriter
Years active1979–present
Labels

Anita Denise Baker (born January 26, 1958) is an American jazz and soul singer. She is known for her soulful ballads, particularly from the height of the quiet storm period in the 1980s.

Starting her career in the late 1970s with the funk band Chapter 8, Baker released her first solo album, The Songstress, in 1983. In 1986, she rose to fame following the release of her Platinum-selling second album, Rapture, which included the Grammy-winning single "Sweet Love". As of 2017, Baker has won eight Grammy Awards and has four Platinum albums, along with two Gold albums. Baker is a contralto with a wide range of octaves.