By 1988, the album had sold over 8 million copies worldwide, 5 million of which were sold in the United States alone. Throughout 19, Baker promoted the album by touring, headlining her first tour, The Rapture Tour, a show from which was later released on home video as A Night of Rapture. The album eventually launched three further hit singles, including " Caught Up in the Rapture", " No One in the World" and " Same Ole Love (365 Days a Year)". While sales were initially slow following the release of the album's debut single, "Watch Your Step", Elektra released the mid-tempo ballad, " Sweet Love", which became her first pop hit, reaching number eight on the Billboard Hot 100 and also reaching the UK Top 20. In March 1986, Baker released her second album, Rapture. Powell on her first Elektra album, though label execs were initially unhappy with her choice of Powell over more established producers. īaker used her old Chapter 8 bandmate, songwriter and producer Michael J. Her Elektra contract allowed the singer to have creative control and produce her own music. Baker then signed with the Warner Music Group-associated Elektra Records label in 1985 and began working on her next album. After months in court debating the matter, it was concluded that Baker should be allowed to record for other labels, winning the case against Beverly Glen label owner Otis Smith. By 1984, after two years, Baker sought to leave the label but was sued by Smith for breach of contract in 1985. In addition, the label delayed work on Baker's follow-up of The Songstress. "You're the Best Thing Yet" followed it in the R&B top 40 early the following year.ĭespite this early success, Baker later complained that she hadn't received any royalties from the work. "Angel" became Baker's first top ten single, reaching number five on the R&B charts in late 1983. The album produced four singles: "No More Tears" and its B-side, "Will You Be Mine", "Angel" and "You're the Best Thing Yet". JSTOR ( June 2020) ( Learn how and when to remove this template message)ġ983–89: The Songstress, Rapture and Giving You the Best That I Got īaker released her debut solo album, The Songstress, in May 1983.Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. Please help improve this article by adding citations to reliable sources. This section needs additional citations for verification. The group's first album, Chapter 8, was released that year and featured the singles " Ready for Your Love", a duet between Baker and bandmate Gerald Lyles, and the Baker-led "I Just Want to Be Your Girl." After Ariola was bought out by Arista Records in 1979, Chapter 8 was dropped by the label who were convinced that Baker, as the group's lead singer, didn't have "star potential." Baker returned to Detroit, working as a waitress and a receptionist until, in 1982, Otis Smith, a former associate of Ariola, convinced Baker to start a solo career under his Beverly Glen label. īaker joined Chapter 8 in 1975 and the group toured until securing a deal with Ariola Records in 1979. After one performance, she was discovered by bandleader David Washington, who gave her a card to audition for the funk band, Chapter 8.
By the time Baker was 16, she began singing R&B at Detroit nightclubs. When Baker was 12, her foster parents died and her foster sister raised her afterwards. When she was two, her mother abandoned her and Baker was raised by a foster family in Detroit, Michigan. Life and music career 1958–79: Early life, career beginnings and Chapter 8 Īnita Baker was born on January 26, 1958, in Toledo, Ohio. 1.5 2010–present: New music, tour, and retirement.1.4 2004–08: My Everything, Christmas Fantasy and tour.1.3 1990–96: Compositions, motherhood, Rhythm of Love and tour.1.2 1983–89: The Songstress, Rapture and Giving You the Best That I Got.1.1 1958–79: Early life, career beginnings and Chapter 8.
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