Anita Baker Rapture Album Turns 40 Years Old

Anita Baker is one of the greatest singers of all time. She got her start in the late 1970s with the funk band Chapter 8. In 1983, she released her debut solo album called The Songstress. The Songstress was released on Beverly Glen Music and wasn’t a commercially successful project. There were a few hits like No More Tears, Angel, and You’re the Best Thing Yet from the album. Anita Baker went on to sign with Elektra Records in 1984. Elektra Records offered a considerably better recording contract, and she started working on the new album.

Anita Baker worked with Michael Powell, whom she teamed with as part of Chapter 8. Beverly Glen Music then attempted to sue Baker and subsequently Elektra/Warner to prevent the release of any new recordings by her. The legal actions by her former label failed and the case was decided on March 19, 1986.

Rapture was released on the following day, and the album turns 40 years old today. In 1989, Rapture was ranked number 36 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 greatest albums from the 1980s. The same publication would later include the album as number 404 on their 2020 list of 500 Greatest Albums of All Time. Sweet Love was the official first single from the Rapture album. Sweet Love” won the Grammy Award for Best R&B Song at the 29th Annual Grammy Awards. It was one of the many highlights from the album. Caught Up in the Rapture was the follow-up to the Sweet Love single. Caught Up in the Rapture was Baker’s third top ten R&B single. It was also a minor success on the Billboard Hot 100 charts, reaching #37 on the week of February 14, 1987.

Same Ole Love (365 Days a Year) became Anita Baker’s next single from the Rapture album. Same Ole Love peaked at #8 on Billboard’s Hot Black Singles and #6 on Billboard’s Adult Contemporary Singles. Once again, Anita Baker had another great record from the album. The final single was released in July of 1987, and it was called No One in the World. No One in the World peaked at number five on the Billboard Hot Black Singles chart. No One in the World wrapped up the album and it either won or was nominated for a few awards.

The Rapture album went on to sell over eight million copies worldwide. This is one of my favorite albums from any genre of all time. Check out my top 5 tracks from the Rapture album below. After that, check out the track listing and stream link to Rapture.