Elijah Baker: Oakland Made It, E.B. Played It

Elijah Baker

Before the world knew the timeless sound of Tony! Toni! Toné!, there was Oakland—a city where gospel, funk, soul, and family roots created a musical foundation unlike anywhere else. 

Elijah “E.B.” Baker is one of the original architects of that movement. A powerhouse bassist, producer, entrepreneur, and founding member of Tony! Toni! Toné!, E.B. grew up surrounded by music alongside his cousin Raphael Saadiq, helping build the foundation of one of R&B’s most influential groups. 

From Who? to The Revival, Sons of Soul and House of Music, the Tonies brought real musicianship, style, and live energy back to R&B. Alongside Raphael Saadiq, Timothy Christian Riley, and the late D’Wayne Wiggins, E.B. helped create a Bay Area legacy that continues to inspire generations. 

While Raphael became known for his studio bass work, E.B. was a force behind the group’s live identity—the groove, movement, and performance energy that made Tony! Toni! Toné! more than a band; they became a cultural experience. 

Following the group’s breakup, E.B. shared his perspective through Loyalty No Royalty: The Breakup of Tony! Toni! Toné!, shining a light on the sacrifices, business struggles, and untold stories behind the music. 

Today, E.B. continues carrying that legacy forward through 3.T.O.B. (The Original Band), Ambitious Records, his solo music, and creative ventures like EB3 Eyewear and Ambitious Apparel. 

From Oakland roots to R&B history, Elijah “E.B.” Baker remains a keeper of the groove and a guardian of a sound that can never be duplicated. 

The Bay built the foundation. The music keeps the legacy alive.

Q: Growing up in Oakland with Monroe Roos and Gospel Funk Foundations through your father, Elijah Baker Sr., how early did you realize music wasn’t just something you did, but your identity?

Elijah “E.B.” Baker: Basically, I just became musically inclined through my father. It wasn’t really a thought process. Him and his friends would rehearse in the living room, and I looked at the amplifier with the red light like it was a toy.

So I was just intrigued and started playing because it felt fun. I learned “Ring My Bell,” and that was the first song I learned on guitar. From that point on, I was a musician.

Q: With Tony! Toni! Toné!, you weren’t just playing bass—you were shaping movement, sound, and stage energy. When did you realize the group had become a cultural blueprint for R&B performance?

Elijah “E.B.” Baker: I realized that from the first album, Who?, especially with the energy of “Little Walter” and how the industry shifted into a dancing sensation.

Everybody was dancing—MC Hammer, Troop, New Edition, Bobby Brown, Kid ‘n Play, Salt-N-Pepa, Heavy D & the Boyz. These were all artists we toured with.

It was a must back then. It was a natural transition. I was always a great dancer—best dancer in high school—but I never overthought it. I just brought that ability into the group, and that’s how we became part of that performance blueprint.

Q: You were responsible for choreography in the group. How did you merge musicianship and movement into one unified stage language?

Elijah “E.B.” Baker: When I first came into the group, Raphael was the dominant bassist. Dwayne was the lead singer at first, then the record company and producers switched things around.

At that point, I was more like the “Jerome” in the early stage of Tony! Toni! Toné!. Once Raphael became lead singer, I took on bass full time and just did what I always did—dance and play.

There was no forced transition. It was natural.

Q: Oakland funk, gospel quartet, and ‘90s R&B all collided in your sound. How intentional was that blend, or did it naturally come from your upbringing?

Elijah “E.B.” Baker: It came naturally from my upbringing. I was raised in quartet music because my father was a quartet singer. My brother brought home R&B and funk records, so I had the best of both worlds.

I also watched Soul Train constantly.

Bass players like Larry Graham, The Brothers Johnson, The Commodores, Chic, Parliament, Bootsy Collins, and Rick James were major influences.

That was my foundation.

Q: Playing bass on Alicia Keys’ “Diary,” what stood out about her studio approach that reminded you of classic disciplined R&B sessions?

Elijah “E.B.” Baker: She came in with her melody and ideas on piano, and we all just followed.

I was raised on discipline through quartet music—you stay in the pocket. Raphael was also strict about playing the song straight, no overplaying.

At the time, I didn’t always appreciate it, but it shaped me into a more complete bassist. It taught me discipline, groove, and structure.

Elijah Baker

Q: You’ve also worked with Snoop Dogg and Too $hort. How did that collaboration shape your pocket while keeping your signature bass style intact?

Elijah “E.B.” Baker: I just did me.

I was good friends with Too $hort. I played him a track, he liked it, and he took it to Snoop. They just got on it.

There was no switching up. I stayed true to my sound, and they built on it from there.

Q: After Tony! Toni! Toné!, what pushed you to build your own lane through Ambitious Records instead of staying strictly in performance?

Elijah “E.B.” Baker: I’ve been producing since 1990 for a lot of major artists.

I never really set out to be an artist—people saw potential in me that I didn’t see in myself. But I still prefer playing bass. Being a lead singer is a tough job.

I started my own label because I wanted to bring back real R&B and soul—music I felt wasn’t being made anymore. So I invested in myself and built it independently.

Q: Fashion and music both became part of your expression through EB3 eyewear. How does visual style connect to how you hear music?

Elijah “E.B.” Baker: There’s no real connection musically.

But back in the day, stage costumes and uniforms gave artists identity. I liked standing out, being flashy, being seen.

I started making my own eyewear because people always complimented what I wore. So I decided to create my own lane with it.

Q: Your documentary Loyalty, No Royalty revisits the group’s history. What truth needed to be told?

Elijah “E.B.” Baker: The music alone doesn’t tell the full story of how everything was created.

There were more than just three credited members. There were six, including Jubu and others who helped build the sound, look, and foundation.

Tony! Toni! Toné! did not get signed as just Ray, Tim, and D’Wayne. It was a collective effort.

All of us made sacrifices, but only a few benefited from the success—and that’s something I’m still dealing with today.

Q: With projects like 3T.O.B. and Park Avenue, how are you carrying the legacy forward while exploring new sonic territory?

Elijah “E.B.” Baker: It’s a challenge because people don’t really buy music anymore.

I’ve invested more into making music than I’ve made from it, so I’m honestly discouraged at times.

At this point, I’m even exploring tech—something like DigiSmartDisc, where music can be tapped and accessed directly through a phone.

The idea is to remove the middleman so artists can sell directly to fans and actually keep their revenue.

Q: “Love Ain’t Free” carries a classic soul message. What inspired it?

Elijah “E.B.” Baker: Right now, I’m just being transparent.

I’ve lived a full life—seen a lot, experienced a lot. I’m speaking my truth without worrying about approval.

It came from real experience, including a 26-year marriage that ended due to communication issues, immaturity, and selfishness on both sides.

I’m just expressing honesty through my music now.

Elijah Baker

Q: After decades in the game, what keeps you going instead of fully stepping away?

Elijah “E.B.” Baker: Honestly, I am slowing down and stepping away.

I don’t have the same passion I once had. Life changes—kids, grandkids, responsibilities.

Not everyone can keep making sacrifices the same way anymore.

But with technology and AI, I can still create and share music in a way that feels lighter and more sustainable.

Q: If you had to define your full journey—from Tony! Toni! Toné! to now—in one phrase, what would Elijah “EB” Baker’s contribution to R&B and West Coast music be?

Elijah “E.B.” Baker: A God’s gift.

That’s it.

I was more passionate about sports growing up, but music is where I was guided. My father saw that in me and pushed it forward.

I consider it a blessing to be a legendary bassist in a legendary group.

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