Anita Denise Baker (born January 26, 1958) is an American jazz and soul singer known for her rich contralto voice and her success during the quiet storm era of the 1980s. She rose to prominence with a series of acclaimed albums and hit ballads, earning multiple Grammy Awards and widespread critical recognition. Baker was born in Toledo, Ohio, and raised in Detroit, Michigan, after being taken in by a foster family. Following the death of her foster parents, she was raised by her foster sister. She began singing in Detroit nightclubs as a teenager and was discovered by bandleader David Washington, who helped her join the funk group Chapter 8. The group released its self-titled album in 1979, but after being dropped by its label, Baker briefly stepped away from the music industry before launching a solo career.
