Legend: Anita Baker

The extraordinary 'songstress' who gave us hits like "Sweet Love" and "Ain't No Need to Worry" is still as active as ever recording new music | touring and sharing her talents with the Soul Train Awards 2010.

Motor City Beginnings - Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, Anita Baker got her start singing in church and eventually for local area band Chapter 8. <br><br><br><b>Photo Credit: Getty Images</b>

1 / 15

Motor City Beginnings - Hailing from Detroit, Michigan, Anita Baker got her start singing in church and eventually for local area band Chapter 8. <br><br><br><b>Photo Credit: Getty Images</b>

Travelin' Band - After a turbulent time with Chapter 8’s then-record label, Ariola, the band was eventually let go. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Photo Credit: Getty Images&lt;/b&gt;

2 / 15

Travelin' Band - After a turbulent time with Chapter 8’s then-record label, Ariola, the band was eventually let go. <br><br><br><b>Photo Credit: Getty Images</b>

Signing to Beverly Glen Records - After signing with Beverly Glen Records, Baker released her debut album &lt;i&gt;The Songstress&lt;/i&gt; in 1983. Although a minor success, it would prove a classic album.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Photo Credit: Getty Images&lt;/b&gt;

3 / 15

Signing to Beverly Glen Records - After signing with Beverly Glen Records, Baker released her debut album <i>The Songstress</i> in 1983. Although a minor success, it would prove a classic album.<br><br><br><b>Photo Credit: Getty Images</b>

Rapture - After signing with Elektra Records in 1985, Baker released Rapture, which would go on to sell six million albums and win two Grammy awards.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Photo Credit: Getty Images&lt;/b&gt;

4 / 15

Rapture - After signing with Elektra Records in 1985, Baker released Rapture, which would go on to sell six million albums and win two Grammy awards.<br><br><br><b>Photo Credit: Getty Images</b>

Grammy Family - From 1988-1990, Baker continued her steady stream of success by releasing the albums &lt;i&gt;Giving You the Best That I Got&lt;/i&gt; and &lt;i&gt;Compositions&lt;/i&gt;; and garnered seven more Grammy Awards.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Photo Credit: Getty Images&lt;/b&gt;

5 / 15

Grammy Family - From 1988-1990, Baker continued her steady stream of success by releasing the albums <i>Giving You the Best That I Got</i> and <i>Compositions</i>; and garnered seven more Grammy Awards.<br><br><br><b>Photo Credit: Getty Images</b>

ADVERTISEMENT
Pop Star - The release of the &lt;i&gt;Giving You the Best That I Got&lt;/i&gt; would result in the song &quot;Just Because&quot;, one of Baker's best records to date. The album itself would climb to number one.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Photo Credit: Getty Images&lt;/b&gt;

6 / 15

Pop Star - The release of the <i>Giving You the Best That I Got</i> would result in the song "Just Because", one of Baker's best records to date. The album itself would climb to number one.<br><br><br><b>Photo Credit: Getty Images</b>

Jazzin' It Up - &lt;i&gt;Compositions&lt;/i&gt; featured much more jazz influence and saw her taking on a greater role in the songwriting process. Though commercially the album was not as well-received, it helped Baker expand into the genre of jazz.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Photo Credit: Getty Images&lt;/b&gt;

7 / 15

Jazzin' It Up - <i>Compositions</i> featured much more jazz influence and saw her taking on a greater role in the songwriting process. Though commercially the album was not as well-received, it helped Baker expand into the genre of jazz.<br><br><br><b>Photo Credit: Getty Images</b>

Farewell - In 1994 Baker released &lt;i&gt;Rhythm of Love&lt;/i&gt;, a major success, which would be her last album with Elektra Records. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Photo Credit: Getty Images&lt;/b&gt;

8 / 15

Farewell - In 1994 Baker released <i>Rhythm of Love</i>, a major success, which would be her last album with Elektra Records. <br><br><br><b>Photo Credit: Getty Images</b>

Taking Time Off - By the end of 1994, she decided to take a break from recording. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Photo Credit: Getty Images&lt;/b&gt;

9 / 15

Taking Time Off - By the end of 1994, she decided to take a break from recording. <br><br><br><b>Photo Credit: Getty Images</b>

The Blue Note Years - After ten years away, Baker signed with Blue Note Records in 2004. The deal would lead to two releases and once again ignited interest in the decorated vocalist.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Photo Credit: Getty Images&lt;/b&gt;

10 / 15

The Blue Note Years - After ten years away, Baker signed with Blue Note Records in 2004. The deal would lead to two releases and once again ignited interest in the decorated vocalist.<br><br><br><b>Photo Credit: Getty Images</b>

ADVERTISEMENT
The Return - In 2004, Baker released &lt;i&gt;My Everything&lt;/i&gt; which debuted on the charts at number 4. Though the sales did match those of her previous albums, it was considered a success and eventually going gold.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Photo Credit: Getty Images&lt;/b&gt;

11 / 15

The Return - In 2004, Baker released <i>My Everything</i> which debuted on the charts at number 4. Though the sales did match those of her previous albums, it was considered a success and eventually going gold.<br><br><br><b>Photo Credit: Getty Images</b>

Still Strong - Baker continues to perform at Jazz festivals throughout the country treating audiences of all types to her amazing vocals.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Photo Credit: Getty Images&lt;/b&gt;

12 / 15

Still Strong - Baker continues to perform at Jazz festivals throughout the country treating audiences of all types to her amazing vocals.<br><br><br><b>Photo Credit: Getty Images</b>

Entering the 21st Century - As of this year, Baker is working on her next album tentatively titled &lt;i&gt;21st Century Love&lt;/i&gt;.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Photo Credit: Getty Images&lt;/b&gt;

13 / 15

Entering the 21st Century - As of this year, Baker is working on her next album tentatively titled <i>21st Century Love</i>.<br><br><br><b>Photo Credit: Getty Images</b>

Love of the Game - This past June, Baker made an appearance during the NBA Finals tosing the National Anthem. &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Photo Credit: Getty Images&lt;/b&gt;

14 / 15

Love of the Game - This past June, Baker made an appearance during the NBA Finals tosing the National Anthem. <br><br><br><b>Photo Credit: Getty Images</b>

Legendary Status - A true talent, Baker now joins the same hall as Chaka Khan and Charlie Wilson in being honored as a Legend at the the Soul Train Awards 2010.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;b&gt;Photo Credit: Getty Images&lt;/b&gt;

15 / 15

Legendary Status - A true talent, Baker now joins the same hall as Chaka Khan and Charlie Wilson in being honored as a Legend at the the Soul Train Awards 2010.<br><br><br><b>Photo Credit: Getty Images</b>