R&B songstress Anita Baker isn’t playing around when it comes to her artistry and legacy.
Last week, the Detroit native posted on Twitter that she’s overdue for the rights to her work, and she asked her fans not to purchase her music.
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“Miraculously, I have out-lived *ALL, of my artist’s contracts.
They no longer “Own,” My Name & Likeness. And, by Law…30 yr old, Mstrs are 2B Returned, 2 Me.
Unfortunately, They’re gonna make me Fight 4 it. I’m Prepared 2 do that. Please Don’t advertise/buy them ABXO.”
🎁Miraculously… i have out-lived *ALL, of my Artists Contracts🎈 They no longer “Own”, My Name & Likeness. And, by Law…30 yr old, Mstrs are 2B Returned, 2 Me🎼 Unfortunately, They’re gonna make me Fight 4 it. I’m Prepared, 2 do that. Please Dont advertise/buy them ABXO🎈💓 pic.twitter.com/PXe9xzsJK0
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) March 9, 2021
Fans showed up and out for Baker.
I will gladly wait till you own your Masters again. And than I will buy the deluxe editions released by you.
Fight for it.
Prince once fought for his Masters. So every musician should.
Love your music. Makes me smile everytime I listen to it. Thank you 4 all those great memories— Rabom (@Rabom71) March 9, 2021
Go get them!!! ❤️❤️
— Mario Cantone (@macantone) March 10, 2021
Would NEVER do that! You and all other artists deserve what is due you! Have much respect for the work of the artist! Totally willing to pay for a work of art! 🙂 Long live the Queen! 🙂
— Valarie King-Bailey (@vkbailey) March 15, 2021
It’s despicable that artists have to fight so hard and long to have their art in their possession. Praying you are successful in your fight even though it’s crazy you have to fight them at this point 😑😒
— Careese (@ReeseCareese) March 9, 2021
Baker is an eight-time Grammy Award-winner with an illustrious career spanning four decades. The contralto has ten solo albums total, including six studio albums with hits like “Giving You The Best That I Got,” “You Bring Me Joy,” “ You Belong To Me,” and “Body and Soul.”
Her first album ever distributed was with a Detroit-based band called Chapter 8 in 1979. Baker’s standout vocals on “I Just Wanna Be Your Girl” made the group’s single an instant hit.
The 63-year-old singer’s masters can lawfully be transferred back to her, but most record companies do not do so willingly. A legal stipulation defined in the Copyright Revision Act of 1976 stated that an artist with albums released after January 1, 1978, can submit paperwork to reclaim ownership of their masters and music copyrights after 35 years.
Although musicians and singers should own their music outright, there is no financial benefit for the record company to give recording artists their music freely– hence the legal battle.
According to Reuters, singer legend, Ray Charles was the first Black artist to own his masters, but he negotiated the clause into his contract with Atlantic Records during the 1960s.
Other artists who have possession of their master recordings include Rihanna, Jay-Z, Ciara, Frank Ocean, 21 Savage, Chance The Rapper and LL Cool J, to name a few.
