ANNYA LI - A Star on the Rise

I closed my eyes and the smooth rhythm slowly engulfed me; the infectious tone of an angelic voice carried me away and I found myself captivated by the music. The voice of this singer echoed a refreshing blend of genre bending combinations, and the fusion of jazz, rock, R&B and hip hop had this eager listener yearning for more. Annya Li’s début album, appropriately titled Look Closer, invites audiences to accompany her on a musical journey as she explores her various life experiences as an artist. The talented singer/ songwriter started production on this album in July, 2008, and has completed nine tracks to date. She explained that she chose the name Look Closer because she wanted the world to take a closer look at the twin island Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and see how many gifted people there are, as well as the variety of music types represented there. This explanation dispels any notions that this Freeport native has strayed away from her Trinidadian heritage. She is a clear patriot, and with a quick wave of the hand, she brushed aside any misconceptions about her being a foreign based artist.

The music played on… Annya’s current single “Stalker” has gained popularity both locally and internationally and has catapulted the singer further into the spotlight. This song, which is a collaboration with B.Wills, has an intoxicating effect: it leaves the listener subconsciously humming the chorus after hearing it only for the first time. Her track titled “Tryst” is a powerful message on relationships, and a clear indication of the singer’s songwriting capability. As the soulful, refreshing tracks of Annya’s album softly played in the background, the sparkle in the singer’s eyes was evident. She blushed and let out a girlish giggle as she recalled her first performance at age five, “It was at Kiddy Care in Couva where I sang for my nursery school graduation.”

Keen on developing her vocal abilities, Annya is being trained by Craig Derry – one of the best vocal coaches in the entertainment industry. Derry has worked with artists, such as Michael Jackson and Alicia Keys, to name only two. Against the backdrop of her own music, she found it appropriate to recognize two of those who have contributed to her unique style: “My musical influences are Stevie Wonder, for his unique melodies and Alicia Keyes, for her passion in her live performances.” The impact these iconic entertainers have had on the quality of Annya’s musical production is evident. She performed twice in New York, in 2008 and recently (December 16th, 2008) pulled off a dynamic show at the Zen nightclub, in Port of Spain, Trinidad. “I want my music to be lasting and timeless,” she stated, and expressed her desire to work with Nadia Batson, Machel Montano and Maximus Dan, one day. These artists embody the elements of change and positivity, also present in her own work, and she admires that.

Her enchanting sound and larger than life personality were on full display during this interview, but Annya revealed that there was still more! Her other talents include dancing and modeling. As a professional dancer she has performed for renowned international acts, such as Akon; as a model, she has graced magazine pages, billboards, local and international runways. Another asset still – a sound education. Annya, took a break from music and chose to pursue her degree at the University of Hortfordshire, in the United Kingdom; she successfully graduated in 2006. She subsequently settled into a mainstream job, as an account executive, at a marketing agency but continued to advance her singing career at night. Rekindling this bond she had with music was inevitable, and in 2006 when presented with an opportunity to make music her profession, the decision was obvious.

Singer, songwriter, model, dancer. Despite her many professional accomplishments, the glowing reviews her current tracks are receiving, as well as their heavy rotation on many popular stations, the petite singer is the epitome of humility. Forever the optimist, this entertainer, who is presently an independent artist, encouraged emerging performers to cling to their dreams and not be afraid of the fact these dreams may be unconventional. Her parting words echoed the old saying ‘work very hard to achieve what you want’; those words were suitably underscored by the fresh and unique sounds of her music.