R&B Legend Anita Baker Announces Farewell Concert Series
By Rachel George, Billboard
January 3, 2018
Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Anita Baker has decided to retire from her iconic singing career after three decades.
Last year , she defused rumors of a final project in the works with a tweet, saying, “Lotta rumours out there. No Tour. No CD. #Retired #BeachBum #ThankUJesus along with a gift emoji and pictures of the beach."
On New Year’s Day, though, Anita Baker announced the end of her soulful love songs.
sO Much 2 CELEBRATE with you #2018. 60th Bday in 25 days👑... Farewell 🎶Concert 🎹Series, beginning in March... We'll paint pictures together 2 last a Lifetime... "Let's Party!" #OneLastTime🎤abxo❤ damn... "Where does the time go?! pic.twitter.com/dMQpRgmTLY
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) January 1, 2018
Her unique, towering voice has remained an influence in contemporary soul music, mixing jazz traditions and picking up several Grammy Awards throughout her career. The legendary singer has four No. 1 Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums, including Rhythm of Love, Giving You the Best That I Got, My Everything and the platinum-selling Rapture.
“Sweet Love,” “Body & Soul,” and “Just Because” reached the top five of the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and in 2012, she covered Tyrese’s 1999 hit “Lately,” which debuted in the top 10 of the Urban AC chart.
Baker will hold a Farewell Concert Series, set to begin in March. Although no tour dates have been released yet, Baker is set to headline New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival this spring.
Twitter felt her response was bittersweet. One user said, "We need to give Queen Anita Baker her flowers now!! She hasn’t been properly recognized for her contributions to us! And the perfect person to pay tribute is @tonibraxton cuz without Mother Baker, we may not have had a sound like Aunt Toni! #Legends."
Check out other responses to her tweets below:
Me when tickets for Queen Anita Baker Farewell concert go on sale pic.twitter.com/d95TxMTr6G
— Jane Doe (@mS_sMaRtY89) January 1, 2018
I need all the details about Anita Baker’s farewell concert series. That’s an event worth the travel. I would love to see her live.
— ᴅᴏʟʟᴀʀ (@callmedollar) January 1, 2018
whatever anita baker is doing, i’m there.
— Xavier D'Leau (@XavierDLeau) January 1, 2018
she could be singing the damn phone book and i’m there.
Thank You Jesus . WE MISS U MS ANITA BAKER !!!!!!!!! ❤️❤️❤️😭😭 pic.twitter.com/5U58NQPAlj
— B (@byronnn01) January 1, 2018
Me... Going to get tickets for Anita Baker’s concert series... pic.twitter.com/sReBv18KaI
— Hi. I'm EJ (@ItIsMeEJ) January 2, 2018
just found out @IAMANITABAKER is doing a farewell tour?! brooooo I️ MUST GO!!! I️ must see one of the greats LIVE the 1st music I️ recall hearing & loving in my life!!!!! please come to the Bay Area omfg! Ima take my mom & don’t even tell her even tho ion like her sometimes 😂
— t a y t a y🥂 (@TaaySoBreezy) January 2, 2018
I’ve been tweeting @IAMANITABAKER about a concert for the past couple of years and now she’s announced a farewell concert...
— ShakariSBriggs (@ShakariSBriggs) January 2, 2018
This news just blessed my soul... #AnitaBaker pic.twitter.com/fPg5y25I2z
Anita Baker’s voice sounds like what heaven must be like.
— TyreeBP (@TyreeBP) December 29, 2017
Anita baker gonna have me in the audience slow rocking to sweet love, don't play with my spirit I need to see her live.
— Philm Phatagraffah. (@Tavietavie) January 2, 2018
Still listening to Anita baker on my iPad daily
— Gusto green (@Sheglar_GD) January 2, 2018
Anita Baker is really my aunt in my head 😂😂 I’ll be the youngest one at her concert signing all her songs &hitting every note 🎤
— BrianaNicole (@LetsBRI4real) January 2, 2018
Photo: Getty Images