We are honored to feature the remarkable Annatoria in this exclusive interview. A vibrant voice in gospel music, Annatoria’s journey is one of bold faith, resilience, and divine purpose. From her Zimbabwean roots to gracing international stages, she continues to break barriers and uplift hearts with her authenticity, sound, and unwavering passion for ministry. Her story is a powerful reminder of what God can do with a life fully surrendered.
1. Can you share a bit about your upbringing and how it shaped your love for gospel music?
I grew up in Zimbabwe. I remember before moving to the United Kingdom that music was always a big part of our family. It was always so deeply woven into our culture that we never needed music or instruments or any kind of electrical gear; we used to sing with our mouths, clap with our hands, and make sounds with our feet. I feel that over time, when you hear that often in your home or in your church, it ends up shaping your view of music and home. And of course, God is a big part of my life, and He has since been with my parents, so most of my love for Gospel really comes from being able to witness God in the music, to speak about God, and to understand more stories and testimonies about God and unravel all the experiences other people have had with God.
2.Growing up, who were your biggest musical inspirations, and how have they influenced your sound today?
A lot of my biggest musical inspirations would be Tasha Cobbs Leonard; she was someone I grew up on a lot. I grew up on Kirk Franklin; I grew up on, you know, when I was starting to get older,Mali Music, Brandy, all these people really played a huge part in shaping my heart, my love for singing, and working on my gift. People like Keirra Sheard played a huge role in that as well. I definitely say when it concerns my sound, I’m inspired by the likes of Marley Music and Brandy, and then alongside the fusion of just African artists like Tiwa Savage.
3.You gained recognition after winning The Voice UK how did that experience impact your confidence and career?
I definitely think being able to go on a show, a British show, and win as a non-Brit boosted my confidence a lot in knowing that I was not limited by where I came from, you know. I felt that winning that show helped me realize that my work and my gift can go beyond where I was actually born and raised.It helped my confidence a lot in the fact that I learned how to perform in front of different audiences. You know, I always say I was used to the church congregation, but things changed when I went on The Voice because it gave me experience in how to perform and how to really work on my craft.
4. Your sound blends contemporary gospel with soulful melodies. How would you describe your musical style in your own words?
Trying to describe my musical style, I find, can be hard,but I guess my favorite part about what I do is when I get to fuse Afro with R&B. You know, it’s that meeting in the middle ground of a vibe that also has its soulful hint to it that still, you know, touches your heart but also moves your body.
5. Your latest album is deeply personal what message do you want listeners to take away from it?
I would say Full Circle. Full Circle is a project that required me to be a little vulnerable, I would say, kind of writing about the truth of the ups and downs that I’ve experienced as a Christian. You know, the struggles and then the times when God reels me back in. I was definitely in a season of my life in some of the songs where everything was quite repetitive about life, and I kept feeling like everything felt cyclical and that things weren’t progressing. So it was quite a sensitive time and sensitive topics to discuss for me, but I felt they were necessary to open up about and to be truthful about when it concerns the Christian walk. I think when people listen to Full Circle, I definitely want them to feel that it’s okay to go through these things. These are real things that people who are in the faith can experience. These are real struggles, real emotions that we feel, and then I want them to recognize them so that they can then give them to God and allow God to really help get them through that season.
6. What has been the most rewarding moment of your musical journey so far?
The most rewarding moment,I believe, still happens in present day. It’s always such a reward when I do get responses that help me know that the gospel is being advanced. You know, people who comment on YouTube and Instagram, people who send me DMs, they might say things like, I’ve never come across a Christian video before or I’ve never listened to a Christian song before. Or I’m not Christian, but this, for some reason, is making me feel different. You know, all these things that help me know, oh yes, there is an increase in the curiosity when it concerns the gospel of Jesus Christ. That definitely excites me. Yes, that’s the greatest reward for me, that people are getting closer to that line of salvation, redemption, or repentance.
6. What challenges have you faced as a gospel artist, and how has your faith helped you navigate them?
Some of the challenges that I think I’ve faced as a gospel artist are just trying to find that ground that pleases everybody. Although I am not necessarily responsible for that, I do think at times it is hard to always prove that you are a person of faith. I guess it takes some time to realize that even Jesus had people he had to deal with who didn’t believe he was there for the advancement of God. And so it’s about learning and seeing that it just takes continuing on the journey of what you’re doing, not really trying to make sure each audience is happy but just ensuring that God is present. And that God is pleased with the work and that God is pleased with our hearts. Yes, people can be the biggest challenge that we face in this walk, being a gospel artist, at times as people of faith.
7. Has there ever been a time when you questioned your calling? How did you overcome that season?
I think times where I question my calling can come; that only ever occurred once. I think more so the thing that I at times can find myself questioning is whether I am actually fulfilling the calling, that I am doing it, and I’m doing exactly what God is calling me to do. I don’t question what God has called me to do; I just question whether I’m excelling the way that I ought to, or the way that God envisions me to. And so sometimes overcoming looks like telling the devil he’s a liar; overcoming looks like going back into scripture, understanding this is what fulfillment looks like, this is what we’re called to do, and are you doing it? You know, I don’t think the Bible is vague in the things that God asks us to do, and so as long as I stay aligned with his word and continue on that track, that’s my place of overcoming. Plus the Bible already teaches me that those who are born of God have overcome the world, and so I do have the mindset that tells me that there isn’t anything that I can not overcome.
8. If you could tell your younger self anything about the journey ahead, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to stay on track. God will align everything for you. I do believe I had too many moments of backtracking, slipping up, and falling short. All in the name of trying to largin my testimony. But God always had a bigger story for me. And I never had to do anything to assist him to bring a big story out of me. So, I wish I could tell my younger self, just stay on track. Focus on God. Don’t deviate from the truth. Remain in him. The reward will always come. Yeah, I wish.
8. Are there any collaborations you would love to do in the future?
Man, I really would love to collaborate with Mali Music, Tiwa Savage, Brandy, and Todd Dulaney. Those are definitely top collaborations for me and Disney.
9. Beyond music, do you have any other passions or projects you’re working on?
I definitely am working on, you know, a brand, and I’m sure that will come out in due time. But just working on things that are bigger than me, I want to invest in my home country and see how I can pour into the community and give back to the nation, seeing what differences we can make or what challenges or needs we can meet and fulfill for those who were in the same position as me, trying to pick up their lives, do something with their music, or do something with their talents. So I’m definitely looking at projects that are outside of me, bigger than me, projects that will really help me serve people better.
10. What’s your favourite song in your playlist right now?
My favorite song in my playlist right now has to be I Fear No Evil by One House on their album Up To Something. That song has been blessing me for weeks now and is definitely my favorite song. It’s truly I Fear No Evil because you are with me; your world and stuff, they comfort me as the song says. So, yes, I’m excited.
11. Annatoria,what a verse you live by?
A verse that I aim to live by is”Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” (James 1:22) I think I sometimes find myself falling into that category of the hearers, and then I don’t do so much of the doing. So I’m really trying to make that staple scripture in my life, especially for this year, 2025.
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