Legendary songstress, Anita Baker, and her ex-husband, Walter Bridgforth, Jr., once had a wonderful marriage, which began in 1988. By 2005, they were separated and by 2007 they were officially divorced. Their divorce came with it’s fair share of drama, but through it all, there is one constant that remains the same, the love they have for their two sons – both of whom look exactly like their mother…and also inherited her musical genes.
Their Past Legal Battle
Following their 18 year marriage, Anita and Walter were headed back to court in 2010. In fact, the “Giving You The Best That I’ve Got” singer was “caught up in the rapture” of the court, when a warrant for her arrest was threatened buy their divorce judge.
Via MyFamilyLaw: Anita Baker faced a potential stint in jail for contempt over her divorce settlement with ex-husband Walter Bridgforth, Jr.. Baker refused to sign documents that could turn over a portion of her music royalties to Bridgforth but ultimately avoided jail after explaining her position to the judge. […] Baker’s divorce settlement with Bridgforth called for 50-50 division of royalties from two albums made during the couple’s 20 year marriage; ‘Giving You the Best I Got” in 1988, and “Rhythm of Love” in 1994.
The family court judge had ordered Baker to explain why she hadn’t followed orders to sign letters giving a court-appointed expert on music industry contracts authorization to seek information from record companies about payments for the music she has written and performed.
The dispute started after Walter objected to the $12K he’d received as 50% of the music royalty payments in 2009, stating that he believes there were way more profits than that. That’s when it was discovered that Anita Baker relied on the clever wordplay of the original divorce settlement she and Walter signed. That agreement did not include the term, “mechanical” royalties, therefore she did not feel Walter should be entitled to them:
Although Baker signed similar letters of authorization immediately after the divorce, the [then] new letters contain demands for “mechanical” royalties, or the inclusion of songs created during the marriage on more recent “best of” albums. Baker objected to the judge that this is an area that wasn’t negotiated in the divorce. … “I think I understand Ms. Baker’s objection,” the judge said before ordering the court-appointed expert to meet with Baker to rewrite the letters with mutually-acceptable language.
Meet Anita Baker’s & Ex-Husband’s Sons
Fast forward to today and here they are- the proud parents of their musical sons, Walter Bridgforth III (25) and Edward Carlton Bridgforth (23).
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As y’all can see, while they both take after their mother, Edward looks like his mother’s male twin! In addition to sharing quality time with their kids, Anita and Walter oftentimes express their proud parent moments about their sons on social media, just like any other parent would…
https://www.facebook.com/walter.bridgforthjr/posts/1666841963384217
my son is on Lockdown at Berklee College in Boston, Singing a Song of Peace…
— Anita Baker (@IAMANITABAKER) April 19, 2013
Peep SONS’ Musical Skills- They Get It From Their MOMMA!
As we previously informed y’all, Anita Baker’s musical genes did not skip her kids- they are both BEASTS as musicians! They also play in their mother’s band, so you KNOW they’ve GOTS to be fire, given their mother’s perfectionist approach for her art. Edward plays the guitar; Walter III plays drums and keyboard…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgfZYiFn3A2/
Although Edward pretty much shies away from posting about his musicianship skills on social media, his big bro,’ Walter, does not, thus let us share with you, his impeccable drums and keyboard abilities…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWgy7SNAKRS/
https://www.instagram.com/p/BWwKE-3FB4D/
In addition to playing in his mother’s band, Walter’s also a professional DJ and sound engineer, who works with many of today’s top rap and R&B artists…
Even though Walter works with his young generation, his mother’s legendary status does NOT go unnoticed by the young brotha, as is evident in his recent post about his mother and her Farewell tour…
https://www.instagram.com/p/BgbbexqH5L2/
By the way, as we previously reported, Anita Baker is retiring from the music biz (I know…we’re depressed by that too), but before she gracefully bows outta the game, you can catch her on her final tour in a city near you!
