Blessing Annatoria first caught our attention at Big Church Day Out 2019 when event headliner; Tye Tribbet, tossed her the microphone to sing. A year later she mesmerised the country with her powerful multi-octave voice on The Voice UK, eventually taking home the crown. The young star recently signed with Island Records and is set to release her debut album; Count My Blessings, on 30 April. The inspirational gospel album which features background vocals by The Kingdom Choir, will include reimagined hymns, modern gospel hits, plus new material. The Voice winner experienced her first major brush with controversy last week after returning to the show to perform her debut single. Viewers flooded social media accusing the young star of miming, prompting a bewildered Annatoria to post: .. I heard people thought I was miming. Eish God is good! Annatoria will grace our TV screens this Easter Sunday on BBC Ones Songs of Praise. 

Salient Sound released their debut single Stand to rave reviews in January this year. "I have been waiting for this true SOUND of British Gospel Music; every chord, melody, vocal, word and arrangement, just speaks of God's heart towards the nation, said MOBO award winner Lurine Cato MBE. Written in response to the social and racial injustice across the globe, the song serves as a cry to God on behalf of the nations. The group have teamed up with Cato for their Good Friday release - He is alive.

Grace Tena had the UK gospel industry buzzing with excitement last month when she dropped her debut masterpiece - In Theory. When asked about the story behind the song Grace said: I found myself in a place where my knowledge of God, His attributes and power just didnt match up with my reality. It was rather the contrary and this started to affect my faith. My hearts desire was to not just accept what I knew of him In Theory, but actually live it out in reality. The message in the song strikes a chord with the masses culminating in over 50,000 Spotify streams within its first month of release.

Nottingham native Sad Ebon seems to have popped up out of nowhere and stolen our hearts. Her debut single Heading was track of the week at Premier Gospel in February. I wrote this song back in 2019, after battling through some of the anxieties I had when thinking about my future and all the unknowns that lay ahead. Although the song addresses themes of doubt, insecurity, and anxiety, it concludes with a message that though my future is unknown to me, God has it all under control, said Sad. 

Written by Akosua DF, Premier Gospel Presenter 

The UK gospel scene has been inundated with fresh new talent lately, much to the delight of gospel pundits. Here are four of our favourite newbies.