Anita Baker

Singer songwriter Anita Baker was born in Toledo and grew up in Detroit. She began her career singing in nightclubs when she was only 16 years old. Baker found herself in a group called Chapter 8, which toured before securing their record deal. Ultimately the group was dropped when Arista bought the group's former label as they felt that the group had very little potential with Baker as the lead singer. She worked odd jobs until she was convinced to embark on a solo career. That solo career helped to shape the sound of quiet storm R&B in the '80s and includes seven platinum albums including The Songstress, Rapture and Giving You the Best That I Got. Baker has been nominated for 18 Grammy awards and has eight wins in addition to various other awards. Baker has continued to perform over the years, but as recently as January of last year had announced her retirement from recording. She's embarking on a farewell tour set to make a stop in Cleveland for two nights at the State Theatre. (Emanuel Wallace)