As Anita Baker prepares to take her final bow and retire from music, the Grammy-winning singer will add another honor to her long list of awards: BET Lifetime Achievement recipient.
“Anita Baker is a legendary R&B singer whose soulful voice takes control of any room she’s in,” the network said. “Baker’s music resonated with audiences of all ages and races alike. With her extensive body of work, which spans decades, Baker continues to be one of the most legendary artists of all time.”Over the course of her 40-year career, Baker has released seven albums, won eight Grammys, and sold millions of records worldwide. Earlier this year, she announced a farewell tour, to celebrate the end of her dynamic career.
In addition to Baker, BET will also honor activists and heroes who have advocated for Black folks throughout the year. Waffle House hero, James Shaw, Jr., will receive the humanitarian award. Other honorees include: Parkland shooting survivor Anthony Borges; anti-gun violence activists 11-year-old Naomi Wadler and 16-year-old Justin Blackmon; French “Spiderman” Mamoudou Gassama, and writer Shaun King. This year’s BET Awards will take place on Sunday, June 24, in Los Angeles. And we can’t wait to see who’ll be hitting the stage to honor Baker’s legacy.