Legendary soul singer Anita Baker gave a special shoutout to Chicago rapper Chance The Rapper for helping her regain ownership of her masters.
“You should say hello to a friend of mine by way of the music industry and by way of helping me, helping me to get a hold and ownership of my master recordings,” Baker said while pointing to the Chance as the audience clapped.
It seems Baker was unaware that Change would be in attendance. After the performance, she further expressed her gratitude.
“Had no idea you would be in our Midst. Such a nice Surprise. Brought Tears, to my eyes. Hope Ms. Essence enjoyed her Birthday ABXO,” she tweeted.
Last March, Baker urged her fans not to stream or download her music online amid her fight with her record label over her masters.
According to Baker, she had outlived all of her recording contracts and that all rights to her masters should have legally reverted to her.
“🎁Miraculously… i have out-lived *ALL, of my Artists Contracts🎈 They no longer “Own”, My Name & Likeness,” the soul singer tweeted.” 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🎈💓”
However, the reversion rights are not automatic and artists have to embark on a lengthy process to regain their masters.
“They no longer own my name and likeness. And by law, 30 year old masters are to be returned,” she wrote on social media.
At the time, the singer also called the streaming platform Spotify out: “Thank you for sending me your love but let’s not advertise Spotify Streaming, which is a publicly traded company with $50 million valuation but doesn’t pay artists/creators their worth.”
Baker has eight albums: seven studio albums and one live album. The bulk of her studio albums were released through Elektra, including her four platinum albums “Rapture,” “Giving You the Best That I Got,” “Compositions,” and “Rhythm of Love.”
