Zimbabwe Shines at the Grammys: Annatoria Earns Nomination, Historic Township Album Recognized
Mhepo News Reporter | Mhepo - Breaking News Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean talent has taken center stage at the music world's most prestigious awards, with UK-based gospel singer, songwriter, and The Voice UK winner Annatoria Chitapa earning a Grammy nomination for her songwriting. Known for her warm and powerful voice, Annatoria uses music to speak life, share faith, and connect with hearts around the world.
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| Annatoria's songwriting talents have earned her a coveted Grammy nomination. |
From humble beginnings to international recognition, her journey has always been rooted in a love for God and a passion for music. Since capturing the hearts of the nation on The Voice UK, she has continued to grow as an artist with powerful performances, original music, and heartfelt ministry — inspiring others to live boldly in faith.
In a double triumph for Zimbabwe, the compilation album “The Modern Sound of Harare Townships” also secured a Grammy nomination, bringing the vibrant sounds of pre-Independence Zimbabwe to a global audience.
Annatoria: A Grammy-Nominated Writer
Annatoria Chitapa, who rose to international fame after winning The Voice UK in 2020, has been nominated as a songwriter for the track “Church” by acclaimed gospel artist Tasha Cobbs Leonard, featuring John Legend. The song is a contender in the prestigious Best Gospel Performance/Song category. Expressing her gratitude, Annatoria wrote on social media, "A Grammy nominated writer. What an honour? Thank you, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, for allowing me to be a part of this amazing project. Writing this was so amazing."
About the Nominated Song: "Church"
Released in July 2025 on Tasha Cobbs Leonard's debut studio album "Tasha," the song "Church" explores the theme of finding moments of faith and worship outside the walls of a traditional church building. Tasha Cobbs expressed her humility at the nomination, stating, "This music came from such a personal and honest place for me. It was healing, it is worship. To see it connect with others the way it has is just refreshing and mind blowing."
A Nod to Zimbabwe's Musical Roots
In a powerful recognition of Zimbabwe's rich musical heritage, the compilation album “The Modern Sound of Harare Townships: Roots Rocking Zimbabwe (1975–1980)” earned a nomination for Best Historical Album. Released by Analog Africa, the collection features 25 songs from the critical pre-Independence era, showcasing the birth of modern Zimbabwean music through a fusion of rock, rumba, soul, and traditional grooves. The album includes never-before-released tracks from legends like Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi.
Mhepo Commentary: A Duet of Cultural Power
These two Grammy nominations represent a profound moment for Zimbabwean arts and culture. They are a duet of recognition, celebrating both the future and the past of the nation's musical genius. Annatoria's success as a songwriter on a global gospel hit demonstrates the power of Zimbabwean talent to transcend borders and contribute to contemporary international music. Simultaneously, the nomination for "The Modern Sound of Harare Townships" is a vital act of cultural preservation, shining a global spotlight on the revolutionary sounds that defined a nation on the cusp of independence. Together, these accolades serve as a powerful form of soft power, showcasing Zimbabwe's artistic history and its vibrant present to the world, proving that the nation's creative pulse is stronger than ever.
Frequently Asked Questions
Annatoria is a US-based Zimbabwean gospel artist who gained international recognition after winning The Voice UK in 2020. She is now a Grammy-nominated songwriter.
She is nominated as a co-writer for the song "Church," performed by Tasha Cobbs Leonard and featuring John Legend, in the Best Gospel Performance/Song category.
It is a compilation album featuring music from pre-Independence Zimbabwe (1975-1980), including previously unreleased tracks from artists like Thomas Mapfumo and Oliver Mtukudzi. It is nominated for Best Historical Album.
No, other Zimbabweans have been nominated in the past, but these two nominations in the same year, representing both contemporary and historical music, are a significant achievement for the country's music industry.
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