With her classy, refined brand of romantic soul, Anita Baker is one of the definitive quiet storm singers to emerge from the ’80s. Gifted with a strong, supple alto, Baker is one of the most popular romantic singers of her time. Baker released her major-label debut, Rapture, in 1986. It was a platinum, Grammy-winning smash, appealing to both urban and adult contemporary listeners and producing two all-time quiet storm classics in “Caught Up in the Rapture” and “Sweet Love.” Baker toured the world in 1987, and her guest appearance on the Winans track “Ain’t Got No Need to Worry” won a Grammy. Her equally stylish follow-up album, Giving You the Best That I Got, appeared in 1988 and won Baker two more Grammys for Best Female R&B Vocal and Best R&B Song. Compositions was released in 1990 and featured even stronger jazz inflections than Baker’s previous work. Following Compositions, Baker took a break from recording and touring. She returned to the studio to craft Rhythm of Love, which was released in 1994. Baker finally returned to the studio in 2003 and issued My Everything, her first album in 10 years. Two years later, she released her first holiday album, Christmas Fantasy. In August 2012, Baker released her version of Tyrese’s hit, “Lately,” and performed it and “Same Ole Love” on Jimmy Kimmel’s show. That same month, she appeared at the Grammys, where “Lately” was nominated for a Grammy Award. Baker continues to tour the globe.
