Annastasia Baker
| Annastasia Baker | |
|---|---|
 Taken from exclusive photo session with Time2Shine 2013 winner Annastasia Baker | |
| Background information | |
| Born |
November 16, 1988 Mandeville, Jamaica, Middlesex County, Jamaica, Jamaica |
| Genres | Gospel, R&B, soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, Songwriter |
| Years active | 2008-present |
| Labels | T2S Records, Black Grape Records |
| Associated acts | Joshua Rogers |
| Website |
AnnastasiaBaker |
Annastasia Anneve Baker (born November 16, 1988) is a British Gospel singer, and song writer, Annastasia first caught the public eye as a contestant who progressed into the top six female singers in the judges round of the 2008 edition of The X Factor (UK series 5). Undeterred by not getting past this stage, Annastasia subsequently auditioned for the X Factor 2010 series, The X Factor (UK series 7) and once again made it to the judges round.[1]
In 2013 Annastasia auditioned for and won the UK Gospel talent competition Time2shine.[2]
On Christmas Eve of that same year, Annastasia launched the video to her first single release entitled “First Love".[3]
This was followed on the 15th June 2014 by the video for her second single release “Let Me Go”.[4] Touched by the plight of the girls seized in Nigeria, this was Annastasia’s contribution to the #bringbackourgirls awareness campaign.[5] Amongst the many highlights to her career during 2014 as a winner of Time2Shine series 3, Annastasia was invited to perform at Barbados Gospelfest, the Caribbean’s premier Christian music and arts festival.[6] Annastasia also completed the recording of her first album entitled “You Turn” which was preview launched at London’s Jazz Café to a sold out audience on the 14th September.[7] The album is anticipated to be on general release from early 2015.
Annastasia Baker was nominated for a MOBO Award in the “Best Gospel Act “ category in September 2014. MOBO Awards.[8]
Beginnings
The oldest of four siblings, Baker was born in Mandeville, Jamaica, West Indies, but grew up in London. South London based, she recalls growing up in a home filled with music. Her father, a multi instrumentalist also sang in a gospel harmony group and his interest in music across all genres had a profound impact upon the musical development of young Annastasia. Although Annastasia has always been driven to sing, she began to publicly display her talent as she became swept up in the emerging television talent contests as a potential platform during her early years.
Baker first attracted the attention of Simon Cowell and other judges on the panel of The X Factor (UK Series) in 2008. She was mentored by Cheryl Cole during this as well as her return attempt in 2010.
In 2013 Baker won the Time2Shine gospel talent search competition and gained access to the development focus she had always craved in order to best hone her craft.[9]
| Preceded by Boma Diri |
Time2Shine winner Time2Shine (season 3) |
Succeeded by Esther Farinde |
Baker undertook her first US tour during September 2014. As with her Jazz Cafe preview launch earlier that month, Baker performed songs from her upcoming album during this tour.[10]
Annastasia Baker was the Critics Choice Award winner, 2014, of the Gospel Touch Music Awards. GTMA is an organisation that celebrates the achievement of gospel artists.[11]
Annastasia Baker became a MOBO Award nominee in the Best Gospel Act category for 2014. In 2015 Anastasia Baker embarked upon a multiple date UK-wide tour, including an appearance at the Copper Box Arena supporting the US Gospel artist Kirk Franklin, culminating in her own headline date at the O2 Shepherds Bush Empire later that year.[12]
New Album
On June 1, 2015, Annastasia Baker released her debut album entitled “You Turn”. A single entitled “First Love” was the lead track taken from the album and released some months in advance of this date. The album will featured a duet with Sunday Best (TV series) winner Joshua Rogers who also appeared in the video for the track, filmed in Atlanta during Annastasia’s US tour in September 2014.
References
- ↑ "IMDb: Annastasia Baker". IMDb. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
- ↑ "Music Week Presents: Annastasia Baker". NewBay Media 2014. July 23, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
- ↑ "Annastasia Baker , First Love music video". Whats Good? Online. May 9, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
- ↑ "Annastasia Baker releases powerful new single 'Let Me Go'". itxcaribbean.com. June 16, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
- ↑ "Gospel Singer's Song For Kidnapped Nigerian Girls". GV Media Group Limited. June 17, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
- ↑ "The countdown begins!". Barbados Today. May 18, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
- ↑ "Review: Annastasia Baker At The Jazz Café, Camden, London (14.09.14)". Mi Soul 2014. September 1, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
- ↑ "The countdown begins!". independent.co.uk. September 23, 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
- ↑ "Annastasia Baker, MOBO Interview". mobo.com. August 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
- ↑ "UK's Soul, Gospel,Inspirational Artist Annastasia Baker Tours the US Sept 19-29". Ideas Unlimited LLC. August 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
- ↑ "Annastasia Baker, MOBO Interview". Gospel Touch Music Awards. GT Music Awards 2014 Winners!. September 2014. Retrieved October 18, 2014.
- ↑ "Annastasia Baker exclusive interview". Female First Online. May 8, 2015. Retrieved June 13, 2015.