I don't understand why people rank Anita Baker so high

[Mowgli]

No longer livin life in paradise, no fairy tales

The bass player on the album earned his dough for that

 

[rantanamo]

juke joint/chitlin circuit? LOL. Anita Baker's stuff was that pure soul/R&B that white people hated for the most part. For them, the music was too lush, the subject too symbolic. They needed some of the jazz out of it. So the answer is Whitney(not putting her or Mariah down, but this was literally what they wanted. They "love" toned down a little and the melody not so heavy. I was a kid then, so I didn't understand the politics of this or the war on black music from the outside(and inside). I remember an interview with David Bowie saying black music at the time(80s) was unoriginal and uncreative except for Prince(well no shyt, his music sounded most like yours out of black artists). Reading some reviews of some of these albums, these white publications were literally shytting on everything that made music like Anita's soulful and rich. Like it was just too much. From the other side was the attack from Hip-hop that it was too production heavy and not raw enough. I wish I understood more of this back then. Always interesting to read back. I used to love the layers of music and sophisticated arrangements. It never bothered me that it was inaccessible. That was part of the allure, to hear something special that made you feel something besides just dancing. That took crazy skill and ability. That featured classy artists that were well dressed. Can really feel that 'cism towards it all now.

 

[Hacksaw Jim Thuggin]

I love anita baker's music, but her career was too brief to be listed with the all time greats IMO

she retired like 2 years ago breh....

and unless youre 40 or so...shes been singing longer than youve been alive

 

[Booker T Garvey]

When you're losing an argument, just accuse the other person of Googling. Nevermind the fact that I have both their catalogs sitting on my shelf in vinyl tho.

i didn't know we were arguing....and you're not about to tell me that you're just walking around out here and know what EVERY anita baker album has sold in your head

what are you, rain man?

either way that didn't negate my point: anita baker is KNOWN for those two albums - i wasn't really trying to debate, that is a statement that's a matter of fact and really isn't a diss.

she retired like 2 years ago breh....

and unless youre 40 or so...shes been singing longer than youve been alive

not sure you understood what i meant. her career came and went in the late 80's, this is not an opinion it's a matter of fact

yes she recorded more albums, but she shined the brightest during the "quiet storm" era of R&B which only really lasted for 4-5 years like new jack swing.

and as i pointed out, she took a 10 year break from the industry altogether, that's basically retirement in the music business.

 

[Booker T Garvey]

juke joint/chitlin circuit? LOL. Anita Baker's stuff was that pure soul/R&B that white people hated for the most part. For them, the music was too lush, the subject too symbolic. They needed some of the jazz out of it. So the answer is Whitney(not putting her or Mariah down, but this was literally what they wanted. They "love" toned down a little and the melody not so heavy. I was a kid then, so I didn't understand the politics of this or the war on black music from the outside(and inside). I remember an interview with David Bowie saying black music at the time(80s) was unoriginal and uncreative except for Prince(well no shyt, his music sounded most like yours out of black artists). Reading some reviews of some of these albums, these white publications were literally shytting on everything that made music like Anita's soulful and rich. Like it was just too much. From the other side was the attack from Hip-hop that it was too production heavy and not raw enough. I wish I understood more of this back then. Always interesting to read back. I used to love the layers of music and sophisticated arrangements. It never bothered me that it was inaccessible. That was part of the allure, to hear something special that made you feel something besides just dancing. That took crazy skill and ability. That featured classy artists that were well dressed. Can really feel that 'cism towards it all now.

excellent reply right here...although I definitely know that her first album crossed over - this attitude toward black music in the 80's and 90's was very real

and it was definitely rooted in racism...It pisses me off when i hear white people say that they've never heard of new edition, i'm talking about white people my age and older

this only happens when you're purposely dismissive of an entire culture. when anything we do comes on TV or on the radio you tune it out, literally.
but to be fair - i'd never heard of ABBA until I was in my late 20's

 

[chineebai]

I love her music because it puts you in such a mood and it's rare for artist to do that with purely their voice.

 

[Rell84shots]

She always came across as more a juke joint/chitterling circuit artist. unlike Patti

Shut up

 

[Wiles]

 

[patscorpio]

Anita Baker >>>>>>>

 

[Dirien]

i didn't know we were arguing....and you're not about to tell me that you're just walking around out here and know what EVERY anita baker album has sold in your head

what are you, rain man?

either way that didn't negate my point: anita baker is KNOWN for those two albums - i wasn't really trying to debate, that is a statement that's a matter of fact and really isn't a diss.



not sure you understood what i meant. her career came and went in the late 80's, this is not an opinion it's a matter of fact

yes she recorded more albums, but she shined the brightest during the "quiet storm" era of R&B which only really lasted for 4-5 years like new jack swing.

and as i pointed out, she took a 10 year break from the industry altogether, that's basically retirement in the music business.

It's called doing your research. I came to the discussion already prepared to defend my point. Maybe you should hop on Google yourself.

I already negated your point. No one talks about Whitney albums period. They talk about individual songs, her accomplishments, her voice, that's it. Again, her albums were shyt on after her debut. Her output was only "good" for 15 years. Black folks started making a joke out of her selling out. The list goes on. But we wanna revise history and act like she has several classic albums. False.

I don't care what people know her for. Your average music fan doesn't know shyt anyway, as we can see from your comments Her career came and went in the 80s, but she was still topping the charts as late as the mid 90s. What I care about is the catalog of the two artists. And Whitney ain't messing with her album for album.

 

[ridedolo]

Crazy to think artist like her, who were basically household names but not "megastars" in the 80s, won't even be remembered 20-30 yrs from now
I remember when I was young Elvis was a big deal even though he died years before I was born, I barely even hear him mentioned in pop culture now days
We losing recipes

Lol nah fam Anita baker is legendary.
The goat jay name dropped her on his newest album

"Anita bakers u bring me joy slapping outta the toy"

I've heard younger artist like Wayne "while miss Anita baker say you bringing me joy"

And Dave east "I'm in bergdorff Goodman blowing this feature paper. Floating up first ave knocking Anita baker"

She'll remain a legend I think

 

[Free White & 21]

Crazy to think artist like her, who were basically household names but not "megastars" in the 80s, won't even be remembered 20-30 yrs from now
I remember when I was young Elvis was a big deal even though he died years before I was born, I barely even hear him mentioned in pop culture now days
We losing recipes

Elvis is a receipt we can lose

 

[im_sleep]

My favorite female singer, period. Heard her music all the time as a kid so its a lil nostalgic but I really didn't appreciate her music till I hit my mid-20's.

She had a STRONG 11 year solo run. Not too many singers can say that.

Angel is her best song IMO. Nobody can hit that last verse like she did.

 

[Free White & 21]

I always loved how she just stood in front of the mic and had an intense presence and performance live.



Later when white folks were trying give garbage Liam Gallagher of Oasis credit for that - I kept a permanent side eye going

 

[Surreal]

I never understand why this level of music isn't still clamored for. You young people are weird as fukk