Babyface is joining music legend Anita Baker’s headlining Songstress Tour in 2023. The 11-time Grammy-winning singer, songwriter and producer confirmed the news in an announcement on Instagram.
“I am excited to share that I am joining the iconic and legendary Anita Baker on tour next year! I am looking forward to sharing her stage and seeing all of you for some fun evenings filled with music & love,” Babyface wrote in a caption.
He will support Baker’s Songstress Tour as the special guest at all 15 cities, including the kickoff concert Feb. 11, 2023, in Hollywood, Florida, at Hard Rock Live. The tour will end on Dec. 23, 2023, in Oakland, California, at Oakland Arena.
Like Babyface’s Full Circle Tour setlist, it will likely comprise hits and fan favorites from his career-spanning discography. He and Baker could perform “Like You Used to Do,” a song he produced and co-wrote with Baker for her 2004 album, My Everything.
Babyface will also debut music from his recent album, Girls Night Out. The 13-song set was released Oct. 21 on Capitol Records. It served as the follow-up to his 2015 effort Return of the Tender Lover, which was issued on Def Jam.
Girls Night Out includes Babyface’s radio hit “Keeps On Fallin‘” featuring Ella Mai, which reached No. 1 on R&B radio. It is now nominated for Best Traditional R&B Performance at the 2023 Grammy Awards.
The album features additional guest appearances from Kehlani (“Seamless“), Ari Lennox (“Liquor”), Queen Naija (“Game Over“), Muni Long (“The Recipe”), Sevyn Streeter (“G Wagon”) and more.
Babyface, nominated for Best R&B/Soul Male Artist at the 2022 Soul Train Awards, recently released a video for “Simple” featuring Coco Jones.
In an interview with Rated R&B, Babyface tells how his Verzuz celebration with Teddy Riley inspired the concept for Girls Night Out.
“I ended up getting a lot more fans through Instagram and hearing from people in a different age group that I didn’t realize were fans. I picked up new fans, as well,” Babyface shared with Rated R&B.
“I [wanted] to figure out how to keep writing for a generation that I wasn’t as completely attached to. Doing this record allowed me to be myself, but also allowed me to work with younger artists, hear their voices and write with them. That’s exactly what this album is — a collaboration of with these girls.”
Anita Baker’s 2023 Songstress Tour Dates
Feb 11, 2023 – Hollywood, FL @ Hard Rock Live*
Feb 14, 2023 – Atlanta, GA @ State Farm Arena
Feb 17, 2023 – New Orleans, LA @ Smoothie King Center
May 10, 2023 – Newark, NJ @ Prudential Center
May 12, 2023 – Belmont, NY @ UBS Arena
May 14, 2023 – Baltimore, MD @ CFG Bank Arena
Jun 30, 2023 – Chicago, IL @ United Center
Jul 2, 2023 – Detroit, MI @ Pine Knob Music Theatre
Nov 18, 2023 – Greensboro, NC @ Greensboro Coliseum Complex
Nov 22, 2023 – Memphis, TN @ FedExForum
Nov 24, 2023 – Atlantic City, NJ @ Hard Rock Live at Etess Arena*
Dec 15, 2023 – Houston, TX @ Toyota Center
Dec 17, 2023 – Dallas, TX @ American Airlines Center
Dec 22, 2023 – Los Angeles, CA @ Crypto.com Arena
Dec 23, 2023 – Oakland, CA @ Oakland Arena
Tickets are on sale now on livenation.com.
*Not a Live Nation date