Anita Baker
Anita Baker
Anita Denise Baker is an American singer-songwriter. Starting her career in the late 1970s with the funk band Chapter 8, Baker eventually released her first solo album, The Songstress, in 1983. In 1986, she rose to stardom following the release of her platinum-selling second album, Rapture, which included the Grammy-winning single "Sweet Love". To date, Baker has won eight Grammy Awards and has five platinum albums and one gold album to her credit. Baker's vocal range is contralto...
NationalityAmerican
ProfessionR&B Singer
Date of Birth26 January 1958
CityToledo, OH
CountryUnited States of America
I can't go anywhere until I finish this Christmas album, ... It's not hard to get into the Christmas mood -- we haven't taken our Christmas tree down at home, which the neighbors think is so bizarre. And it is. But this is a jazz Christmas album, so I don't have to be too traditional or mind too many rules. That's what's pulling me along.
At home I'm relaxed. I may be in the yard talking to neighbors, or riding my bike, or fishing, making up the bed-and things just come to me. I'll hum a melody, and if it feels real good, I'll play it on the piano and put it on tape, and then develop it later. The music speaks words to me.
You leave home to seek your fortune and, when you get it, you go home and share it with your family.
Completeness? Happiness? These words don't come close to describing my emotions. There truly is nothing I can say to capture what motherhood means to me, particularly given my medical history.
I dont think being black has held me back at all. Being black makes you strong.
I say if it's going to be done, let's do it. Let's not put it in the hands of fate. Let's not put it in the hands of someone who doesn't know me. I know me best. Then take a breath and go ahead.
I don't let people use me. That's why I like a small number of people in my life. The more people in my life, the more complex it becomes, so I just try to keep it at a minimum.
I'd love to be the political voice of my generation, but that's not my gift.
I would make far more money if every song were my own, but I don't write to fill up the album with my songs.
Typically, the theme of my albums, if there is a theme, is, 'How does it feel?' And that always leads to love songs. It just does.
Most artists are notoriously insecure, and I fall into that category.
My father worked on assembly lines in Detroit while I was growing up. Every day, I watched him do what he needed to do to support the family. But he told me, 'Life is short. Do what you want to do.'
Chris Brown is brilliant. That cat is crazy brilliant, and I wish him the best.
Time has nothing to do with the gifts that the gods give you; it's what you do.