Annastasia Anneve Baker (born 16 November 1988) is a British gospel singer and songwriter. She first gained notice as a contestant who progressed into the top six female singers in the 2008 edition of The X Factor series 5. In 2010 she rose to the same level in series 7.[1]
Annastasia Baker | |
|---|---|
 Baker in 2013 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | 16 November 1988 Mandeville, Middlesex County, Jamaica |
| Genres | Gospel, R&B, soul |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Years active | 2008–present |
| Labels | T2S Records, Black Grape Records |
| Website | AnnastasiaBaker.co.uk. |
In 2013, Baker auditioned for and won the UK Gospel talent competition Time2shine.[2]
On 24 December 2013, Baker launched the video to her first single release titled "First Love".[3] This was followed on 15 June 2014 by the video for her second single release "Let Me Go".[4] Touched by the tragedy of the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping in Nigeria, this was Baker's contribution to the #bringbackourgirls awareness campaign.[5]
Baker was invited to perform at Barbados Gospelfest, the Caribbean's premier Christian music and arts festival.[6] She also completed the recording of her first album titled "You Turn" which was preview launched at London's Jazz Café to a sold-out audience on 14 September.[7]
Baker was nominated for a MOBO Award in the "Best Gospel Act " category in September 2014.[8]
Early life
editThe oldest of four siblings, Baker was born in Mandeville, Jamaica, West Indies, but grew up in London.
Career
editDuring her time competing on The X Factor in 2008 and 2010, Baker was mentored by Cheryl Cole.
In 2013 Baker won the Time2shine gospel talent search competition and gained access to the development focus she had always craved to best hone her craft.[9]
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]
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]
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]
In 2022, Baker was a contestant and finalist on the ITV talent show Starstruck, impersonating and performing as Tina Turner.
You Turn (2015)
editOn 1 June 2015, Annastasia Baker released her debut album titled "You Turn". A single titled "First Love" was the lead track taken from the album and released some months in advance of this date. The album featured a duet with Sunday Best (TV series) winner Joshua Rogers who also appeared in the video for the track, filmed in Atlanta during Baker's US tour in September 2014.
References
edit- ^ "IMDb: Annastasia Baker". IMDb. n.d. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
- ^ "Music Week Presents: Annastasia Baker". NewBay Media 2014. 23 July 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
- ^ "Annastasia Baker , First Love music video". Whats Good? Online. 9 May 2014. Archived from the original on 18 October 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
- ^ "Annastasia Baker releases powerful new single 'Let Me Go'". itxcaribbean.com. 16 June 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
- ^ "Gospel Singer's Song For Kidnapped Nigerian Girls". GV Media Group Limited. 17 June 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
- ^ "The countdown begins!". Barbados Today. 18 May 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
- ^ "Review: Annastasia Baker At The Jazz Café, Camden, London (14.09.14)". Mi Soul 2014. 1 September 2014. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
- ^ "The countdown begins!". The Independent. 23 September 2014. Archived from the original on 7 May 2022. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
- ^ "Annastasia Baker, MOBO Interview". mobo.com. August 2014. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
- ^ "UK's Soul, Gospel,Inspirational Artist Annastasia Baker Tours the US Sept 19–29". Ideas Unlimited LLC. August 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
- ^ "Annastasia Baker, MOBO Interview". Gospel Touch Music Awards. GT Music Awards 2014 Winners!. September 2014. Archived from the original on 6 October 2014. Retrieved 18 October 2014.
- ^ "Annastasia Baker exclusive interview". Female First Online. 8 May 2015. Retrieved 13 June 2015.