Background and Age

Anita Denise Baker was born in Toledo, Ohio, on January 26, 1958. Baker's mother abandoned her when she was two years old, and a foster family raised her in Detroit, Michigan. Baker was raised by her foster sister when her foster parents died when Baker was 12 years old. Baker began singing R&B in Detroit nightclubs when she was 16 years old. Bandleader David Washington spotted her after one performance, and he offered her a card to audition for the funk band, Chapter 8.

Baker joined Chapter 8 in 1975, and the band travelled until 1979 when they signed a deal with Ariola Records. That year, the group's debut album, Chapter 8, was published, with the hits "Ready for Your Love," a duet between Baker and bandmate Gerald Lyles, and "I Just Want to Be Your Girl," Baker led. Arista Records acquired Ariola Records in 1979, and Chapter 8 was dropped by the company, which believed Baker, as the group's lead singer, had "star potential." Baker returned to Detroit and worked as a waitress and receptionist until Otis Smith, a former Ariola partner, persuaded Baker to launch a solo career under his Beverly Glen label in 1982.

Career and Net Worth

Anita Baker started her career in singing when she was sixteen years old. She worked in a Detroit nightclub as a singer. David Washington discovered Anita when he saw her performing and offered her an invitation to audition for the funk band, Chapter 8. Baker released her two most famous and award-winning albums, "The Songstress" in 1983 and 'Rapture,' in 1986. Baker won a Grammy award for Sweet Love from the album "Rapture." She signed a deal in 1979 with Ariola Records, in which she invested a lot of time touring. Some of her famous song releases were "Ready for Your Love," "I Just Want to Be Your Girl," and "Will You Be Mine."

Despite her early success, Baker complained that she hadn't received any royalties from work. By 1984, Baker sought to leave the label but was sued by Smith for breach of contract in 1985. After months in court debating the matter, it was concluded that Baker should be allowed to record for other labels, winning the case against Smith. Baker then signed with the Warner Music Group associated Elektra Records label in 1985 and began working on her next album. Her Elektra contract allowed the singer creative control and produced her music, something she didn't do at Beverly Glen. Baker used her old Chapter 8 bandmate, songwriter, and producer Michael J. Powell on her first Elektra album even though label execs were initially unhappy with her choice of Powell over more established producers.

Baker came up with a new solo, "Giving You the Best That I Got," which was a great hit being at the top list of Billboard 200. All of her releases during this time became one of the top ten songs of Billboard 200. "Giving You the Best That I Got" reached the third position, "Just Because" was in the top twenty, and a third "Lead Me into Love" reached the top ten as well. A few of her other songs, "Talk to me," "Fairy Tales, "Soul Inspiration," also fetched her good numbers.

Baker released a new solo album, 'My Everything, which was in 4th position on Billboard 200 and as number one on R&B charts. Along with R&B albums, Baker also sang Christmas songs and performed the National Anthem. Her track, "Lately," got a Grammy Award in 2013. In 2018, Anita Baker announced that she had decided to retire from her iconic singing career after three decades. Surprise guest Stevie Wonder echoed that sentiment as Baker closed her second sold-out date at the Greek Theatre in Los Angeles with her signature song "Angel.".