Celebrate Gospel With Anita Baker

A timeline of the iconic songbird's illustrious career.

An Angel Is Born - In June of 1983, former Chapter 8 lead singer Anita Baker released her debut solo album, The Songtress. The LP's lead single, "Angel," peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard charts and the album went on to become a cult classic. (Photo:  Ebet Roberts/Redferns)

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An Angel Is Born - In June of 1983, former Chapter 8 lead singer Anita Baker released her debut solo album, The Songtress. The LP's lead single, "Angel," peaked at No. 5 on the Billboard charts and the album went on to become a cult classic. (Photo:  Ebet Roberts/Redferns)

And the Winner Is... - After the release of her platinum-selling sophmore album Rapture, Baker won her first two Grammy awards in 1987. One was for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female and the other for Best Rhythm & Blues Song for the smash single "Sweet Love."  (Photo: Ebet Roberts/Redferns)

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And the Winner Is... - After the release of her platinum-selling sophmore album Rapture, Baker won her first two Grammy awards in 1987. One was for Best R&B Vocal Performance, Female and the other for Best Rhythm & Blues Song for the smash single "Sweet Love."  (Photo: Ebet Roberts/Redferns)

A Gospel Celebration  - In addition to winning two AMA awards in 1988, the "You Bring Me Joy" singer also made waves in the world of gospel after bringing home her third Grammy for the spiritual duet "Ain't No Need to Worry" with The Winans. (Photo: Jan Persson/Redferns)

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A Gospel Celebration  - In addition to winning two AMA awards in 1988, the "You Bring Me Joy" singer also made waves in the world of gospel after bringing home her third Grammy for the spiritual duet "Ain't No Need to Worry" with The Winans. (Photo: Jan Persson/Redferns)

Photo By Jan Persson/Redferns

A Legendary Duet - Anita Baker's sultry vocals proved to be the perfect magical ingredient for music legend Frank Sinatra, who tapped the singer for his 1993 Duets album cut "Witchcraft." (Photo: Trish Tokar/Getty Images)

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A Legendary Duet - Anita Baker's sultry vocals proved to be the perfect magical ingredient for music legend Frank Sinatra, who tapped the singer for his 1993 Duets album cut "Witchcraft." (Photo: Trish Tokar/Getty Images)

Photo By Trish Tokar/Getty Images

Hollywood Serenade - In 1994, the eight-time Grammy Award winner's vocal prowess earned her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (Photo: Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Hollywood Serenade - In 1994, the eight-time Grammy Award winner's vocal prowess earned her a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (Photo: Raymond Boyd/Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

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Lately  - Anita Baker snagged her 17th Grammy Award nomination this year for her sultry rendition of Tyrese's 1998 hit "Lately." (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

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Lately  - Anita Baker snagged her 17th Grammy Award nomination this year for her sultry rendition of Tyrese's 1998 hit "Lately." (Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images)

Photo By Photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images

The Return of the Songstress - After a 10-year hiatus, Baker re-emerged in 2004 with her gold-selling opus My Everything. The highly anticipated album peaked at No. 4 on the BillBoard 200 and was nominated for two Grammy Awards. (Photo:  Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

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The Return of the Songstress - After a 10-year hiatus, Baker re-emerged in 2004 with her gold-selling opus My Everything. The highly anticipated album peaked at No. 4 on the BillBoard 200 and was nominated for two Grammy Awards. (Photo:  Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

Land of the Free - Although her hometeam (the Detroit Tigers) eventually lost in Game 5 of the 2006 World Series, the seasoned singer did help cheer on the ball club by singing the National Anthem at Game 2 in Detroit. (Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

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Land of the Free - Although her hometeam (the Detroit Tigers) eventually lost in Game 5 of the 2006 World Series, the seasoned singer did help cheer on the ball club by singing the National Anthem at Game 2 in Detroit. (Photo: Jamie Squire/Getty Images)

BET Honors - In true iconic fashion, R&B veteran Anita Baker proved that her talents only get better with time and gave a memorable performance at the 2009 BET Honors. (Photo: Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

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BET Honors - In true iconic fashion, R&B veteran Anita Baker proved that her talents only get better with time and gave a memorable performance at the 2009 BET Honors. (Photo: Sean Gardner/Getty Images)

R&B Legacy  - While Anita Baker has served as an influence to many over the course of her 30-plus year career, Queen of Hip Hop Soul Mary J. Blige says she was "honored" to share the stage with one of her all time favorites, Miss Rapture herself, at the 2011 BET Awards in Los Angeles. (Photo:  Joe Scarnici/WireImage)

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R&B Legacy  - While Anita Baker has served as an influence to many over the course of her 30-plus year career, Queen of Hip Hop Soul Mary J. Blige says she was "honored" to share the stage with one of her all time favorites, Miss Rapture herself, at the 2011 BET Awards in Los Angeles. (Photo:  Joe Scarnici/WireImage)