Chapter 8 is an American soul ensemble formed in Detroit in the late 1970s. The group was established by Derek Dirckson, Michael J. Powell, and David Washington. The band originally performed as the backup ensemble for the Detroit Emeralds. The group released its eponymous debut studio recording, Chapter 8, through Ariola Records in 1979. The album was produced by Dirckson and Powell and featured Anita Baker on lead vocals. The recording included the tracks “Ready for Your Love” and “I Just Want to Be Your Girl”. In 1985, Valerie Pinkston replaced Baker as the lead vocalist for the album This Love's For Real. Powell later produced Baker's studio recordings Rapture (1986), Giving You the Best That I Got (1988), and Compositions (1990). Dirckson produced gospel artists including Fred Hammond, Commissioned, and Mary Mary. He also established the Blackstage Pass Recording Studio in 1999 and released the solo album Dirckson. The ensemble's discography also included the studio recording Forever (1988).
