Sharon Smith November 30, 2009
Favorite Artist Report Music Appreciation

ANITA BAKER
Anita Baker was an only child born January 26, 1958 in Toledo, Ohio. She grew up in Detroit, Michigan. She was abandoned by her mother child and he was raised by foster parents. At the age of twelve she began singing in her church choir and at sixteen she started a local singing group with some of her high school friends. In 1975 she was approached by bass player David Washington of the group Chapter 8. She audition for the group, became a member and she spent the next few years playing in and around Detroit. Anita Baker begin singing with the group Ariola and in 1979, they released an album. However, when Ariola was bought out by Arista, the group's contract was not renewed.
Anita returned to Detroit and worked at a law firm as a receptionist. In 1981, Otis Smith, who was the man behind Chapter 8, formed his own label called Beverly Glenn. He contacted Anita Baker in 1982 and offered her a deal and she turned it, but when Otis Smith increased the amount of his original offer, and the contract was approved legally, she accepted the contract and she released the album "Songstress" in 1983. In 1986 she signed with Elektra. At this time was also producing her debut album "Rapture", on her new label. “The Rapture” sold over 6 million records worldwide and earned Anita two Grammy awards: Best R&B Female Performance for the album "Rapture" and Best R&B Song for "Sweet Love".
In 1987, Anita began working on her next album, "Giving You the Best That I Got". Anita Baker won three Grammies for the album; one in1989 for Best R&B Female Performance, one in 1990 for Best R&B Song, "Giving You the Best That I Got" and one for Best R&B Song, "Just Because". She became more involved in the song-writing for her third album, “Compositions” and began experimenting with jazz. The album contained seven songs she wrote by herself and most of them were recorded live. The album won her a seventh Grammy award, for Best R&B Female Performance.
On Christmas Eve 1988, Anita married Walter Bridgforth Jr, her boyfriend of two years that she met in her home of Detroit. She gave birth to her first son, Walter Baker Bridgforth in January 1993 and months later Anita started working on her next album, "Rhythm of Love “. She produced of the album and wrote five of the twelve songs on the album. The album was recorded in her home because she was expecting another child. After the birth of her second son, Edward Carlton Bridgforth in September 1994 the album was released. In 1995 she won Grammy number eight Grammy for the song "I Apologize".
Anita’s mother died in 1996 and her father died two years later. During this tragic time she, attempted to record and release a new album. Unfortunately, the tracks were damaged in the recording process and they could not be salvaged. Anita sued Elektra and later signed with Atlantic Records. Anita took time away from her career, to focus on her personal life. Finally, in 2004 Anita Baker released the, My Everything. During her career, Anita Baker has performed with other great artists such as The Winans, Howard Hewitt, and James Ingram. Anita Baker music earned her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Anita is my favorite artist because her music is soulful and inspiring. She is proof that no matter what you go through in life, you can achieve anything. Despite being abandon by her biological, she rose above the ashes and became very successful. I have been listening to Anita Baker since I was a little girl. I never really understood what the words meant until I got older, I just loved the beat. Now that I am older, I understand the words to every one of her songs. They talk about the reality of relationships and how they should be handled. Some of her songs inspired me to write many poems. I love all of her albums but my favorite Anita Baker album, of all time is “My Everything”. I love this album because she expresses love for her family and it shows that is has grown to be a better mother and wife. This album has also taught me that it’s okay to express my feeling about a certain someone in my life that is why he is my favorite artist.