Music has a special way of touching the soul, and Annatoria is proving this with her latest project. The Zimbabwe-born gospel artist, known for her unique style that mixes R&B with Afrofusion, has released her first-ever Christmas EP, Present Jesu.
This release is part of a new partnership with Motown Gospel, one of the top record labels in Christian and gospel music based in the United States. Motown Gospel is a division of Capitol CMG/Universal Music Group, the world’s leading Christian music company and market leader in recorded music, distribution, and music publishing, Motown Gospel list of artists include Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Smokie Norful, Tye Tribbett, Brian Courtney Wilson, Kierra Sheard, The Clark Sisters and more.
Walter Thomas, Vice President of Artist Development at Motown Gospel, shared his enthusiasm about working with Annatoria: “We’re so excited to partner with Annatoria on the release of her Christmas EP through Capitol CMG and Motown Gospel. Her incredible talent and genuine heart for music make this project something special, and we can’t wait to share it with the world as it brings joy and hope this holiday season in an eclectic way.”
The EP includes five songs that celebrate the Christmas season with an African twist. Annatoria explained her inspiration for the project:
“This Christmas, I wanted to bring glory to Christ by creating Present Jesu, which combines sounds of the holiday season with African roots in order to concentrate hearts on Him. With the help of this EP, I hope to provide an authentic African flavour to the celebration while also bringing Jesus back into the spotlight during this time of year.”
One of the songs, Go Tell It on the Mountain, has already caught the attention of listeners, gaining over 242,000 views on YouTube within two weeks. The song features both English and Shona lyrics, sharing the story of Jesus’ birth in Bethlehem. The music video showcases vibrant African dance and culture, giving it a creative and authentic feel.
Annatoria, born Blessing Annatoria Chitapa in 2022, is a Zimbabwean artist based in England. She has gained recognition as one of the most consistent gospel artists to emerge from Zimbabwe. Her success continues to grow, and she is now nominated for the 2025 MOBO Gospel Awards. The event, taking place in Newcastle on 18 February, will also feature global stars such as Beyoncé, Raye, and Kendrick Lamar.
Annatoria has a strong fan base, with over 574,000 monthly listeners on Spotify. Her music streams in the millions, with tracks like In the Room (Afro Version), a collaboration with Maverick City Music, reaching over 6.2 million streams, and Put It on God, featuring Nigerian artist Limoblaze, earning 1.9 million views on YouTube and 6.1 million Spotify streams.
Her new EP, Present Jesu, highlights her ability to combine faith and music in a way that resonates with people from all walks of life. This Christmas project offers listeners a chance to enjoy the festive season while focusing on the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Christ.
With its African sounds and meaningful lyrics, Present Jesu is set to bring joy and hope to listeners this holiday season. Annatoria’s dedication and creativity continue to shine, making her a strong voice in the world of gospel music.
