Anita Baker

Anita Baker emerged as a member of funk group Chapter 8 in the 1970s, and has since developed an acclaimed solo career spanning almost four decades. A legend of R&B’s ‘quiet storm’ period, she is the winner of an incredible eight Grammy Awards, has released several platinum certified albums, and has been honoured with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Baker began performing in Detroit nightclubs in her teens, and in 1975 joined funk group Chapter 8, providing lead vocals on the group’s debut album.

In 1983, Baker embarked on her solo career, releasing her debut solo album The Songstress. Her second album, Rapture, helped her become an international star, spawning hit singles such as Sweet Love and Caught Up in the Rapture, and going on to sell more than eight million copies worldwide and earn two Grammy Awards. By this time confirmed as one of the most exciting musical acts of her era, Baker embarked on a tour of North America and Europe, and her third album, Giving You the Best That I Got went straight in at No. 1 in the Billboard 200.

In the years since, Baker has continued to tour internationally, released several further hit albums including 2004’s My Everything and the festive record Christmas Fantasy, and received a host of honours and awards in recognition of her work. In addition to her eight Grammy Awards, she has received a further 10 Grammy nominations, four American Music Awards, seven Soul Train Music Awards, and in 2018 was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the BET Awards.