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Anita Baker is, by far, one of my top five favorite singers of all time. Not only is her voice unique and strong, but her songs have also been the soundtrack to our love lives: "Sweet Love," "Good Love," "Same Ole Love" -- whatever love you like, she's sung about it in an epic way. And while I wasn't waiting by my streaming service with fingers crossed for new music from the Toledo, Ohio native, the idea that fresh sounds may not be coming at all is a bit sad.
<img src="http://madamenoire.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Anita-Baker-PF.jpg" alt="Anita Baker " width="1068" height="601" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-782727" />
While spending her time soaking up the sun at the beach, Baker addressed alleged rumors that she might be putting out new music. According to <em><a href="http://singersroom.com/content/2017-01-16/aw-man-anita-baker-hangs-up-the-mic-confirms-retirement-on-twitter/" target="_blank">Singersroom</a></em>, Baker hasn't released anything since 2012's <a href="http://madamenoire.com/204145/who-did-it-better-anita-baker-remakes-lately/">cover of Tyrese's "Lately"</a> and a track called "Sweetest Dreams." Both were supposed to be featured on an album called <em>Only Forever </em>that never came to be. In response to questions about future projects, Baker pretty much told fans not to hold their breath in several Twitter posts:
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Lotta rumours out there. No Tour. No CD. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Retired?src=hash">#Retired</a>🎁 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeachBum?src=hash">#BeachBum</a>❤ <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/ThankUJesus?src=hash">#ThankUJesus</a>😆 <a href="https://t.co/Lkmz5rXiPd">pic.twitter.com/Lkmz5rXiPd</a></p>
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) <a href="https://twitter.com/IAMANITABAKER/status/819616995335229440">January 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Jan 26th will celebrate my 59th BDay (lord willing) retirement was 1 of many goals/dreams <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SuchaBlessing?src=hash">#SuchaBlessing</a>🎁 <a href="https://t.co/7m1HTfy6gR">pic.twitter.com/7m1HTfy6gR</a></p>
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) <a href="https://twitter.com/IAMANITABAKER/status/819621926649745408">January 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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<p dir="ltr" lang="en">I still love 2 write & record music... its part of my DNA😊But, im on a different road. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/BeachBum?src=hash">#BeachBum</a>😆</p>
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) <a href="https://twitter.com/IAMANITABAKER/status/819622922172043264">January 12, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Oddly enough, Baker told <em><a href="http://www.billboard.com/articles/news/480401/anita-baker-is-back-with-a-hit-and-a-plan-for-covers-album" target="_blank">Billboard</a></em> back in 2012 that she did the cover of "Lately" in an attempt to actually motivate Tyrese to get back to making music.
"He was off doing movies and stuff, and he was between movies and was like, 'Man, I really need to be doing something," Baker said. "I'm like, 'What are you talking about?! You're a singer, man! You need to sing!'"
And here she is, now set on the idea of hanging up the mic. But can you blame her? There is nothing more alluring than some sun and sand after years of working and working hard (she's been making music since the late '70s by the way). At least we'll always have the classics...
<em>Image via WENN </em>
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