In January, Anita Baker made a number of social media posts that made it look as if she had retired from the music business.
Baker started on Thursday, January 12, saying “Lotta rumours out there. No Tour. No CD. #Retired #BeachBum #ThankUJesus”. She later followed with “Jan 26th will celebrate my 59th BDay (lord willing) retirement was 1 of many goals/dreams #SuchaBlessing” and “I still love 2 write & record music… its part of my DNA?But, im on a different road. #BeachBum”.
Eleven months later, nationally syndicated radio host Tom Joyner has announced that his 2018 Tom Joyner Fantastic Voyage cruise will include an “Evening With Anita Baker”.
The eight-time Grammy Award winner will honor radio pioneer Joyner by performing live aboard his annual benefit cruise sailing April 29 – May 6, 2018. Anita Baker’s performance will be a highlight on the cruise which celebrates Joyner’s 25 years in syndication.
The charitable endeavor is known for featuring over 60 entertainers and comedy acts along with daily empowering seminars, theme nights, morning inspiration, concerts, shopping, beach parties, fitness, late night after-parties, parades and a cavalcade of celebrities celebrating Tom Joyner’s efforts to assist students attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities.
Joyner said “Man do I have a treat! Oooooo…I can’t keep a secret. I’ll explode! She’s coming on the boat…She’s coming out of retirement…Anita Baker is coming on the cruise! Anita’s coming out of retirement as I go into retirement…and she is coming out of retirement for the cruise…Thank you, Lord!”
Also appearing on the 2018 cruise are the O’Jays, the Isley Brothers, Kenny “Babyface” Edmonds, Tamar Braxton, Chris Brown, The Jones Girls Featuring Shirley Jones, En Vogue, SWV, GQ, the Sylvers, A Taste of Honey, Heatwave, the Ying Yang Twins, Bonecrusher, Trillville, Young Bloodz, the Eastside Boyz, Dwele, Raheem DeVaughn, Eric Roberson, the Manhattans Featuring Gerald Alston, Force MDs, 112, Das EFX, EPMD, the Fat Boys, DJ Kool and Melle Mel & Scorpio.
