🎤 Artist Spotlight: Annie — Finding Yourself, Releasing, Becoming

The Mixtape Queens
Jan 15
3 min read

by The Mixtape Queens

THE BIRTH OF ANNIE

Born on October 19, 2002, in Manila, Philippines, she spent her early years growing up in an orphanage convent run by nuns. As the oldest child there, she wasn’t just surviving — she was caring for others. She cooked, cleaned, sewed, and became an older sister to many children at Little Mary’s Home, forming deep emotional roots that still live with her today. At 11 years old, she was adopted and moved to the United States, growing up in Springfield, Missouri, before later relocating to St. Louis at 23. Her upbringing was vastly different from most of her generation. She wasn’t raised on technology or social media. English wasn’t her first language — she taught herself by watching television. Even then, music was never a plan. It was something distant, something she didn’t believe she was capable of.

Nicole carried a deep sense of helplessness from childhood — someone who struggled to see the good, who gave up easily, who allowed others to define her worth. Annie was born when that story broke. Annie represents the moment she took control. The moment she chose herself. The name became a symbol of never giving up, of claiming power, and of deciding her future would no longer be written by pain. Annie is soft-hearted, open-minded, and resilient — a young woman who learned early how to survive, and later, how to transform.

VULNERABILITY AS LANGUAGE, MUSIC AS THERAPY

Annie’s music doesn’t romanticize pain — it names it. What makes her voice resonate so deeply is her willingness to sit in the middle of healing, not just the after. She discovered this while writing her first album, when she opened the deepest parts of her trauma and watched people emotionally connect — tearing up, feeling seen, finding themselves in her words. That moment taught her something powerful: vulnerability isn’t weakness — it’s her superpower.

She writes from the bigger picture, intentionally avoiding exposing specific people who caused her harm. As an empath, she feels emotions deeply — often without needing full details — and translates those feelings into music that others can hold onto.

One song in particular, “What If,” surprised her emotionally. It gave voice to the constant internal dialogue of self-doubt and overthinking — questions like What if I’m unlovable? What if no one stays? It wasn’t polished. It was honest. And that honesty is where her strength lives.

Influenced by artists like SZA, Jhene Aiko, Polo G, and Rod Wave, Annie learned that truth in music builds loyalty and trust. Their ability to tell emotional truths taught her that being genuine creates connection — and connection is what keeps people alive through heavy moments. Her music isn’t about having it all figured out. It’s about staying with yourself while you figure it out.

THE CHAPTER AHEAD

Beyond the studio, Annie finds grounding in the quieter parts of her life — cooking, sports, plants, dogs, fashion, and drawing. Sports, in particular, taught her discipline. Her coach reinforced that progress isn’t about winning — it’s about not giving up, staying motivated, and continuing to try even when growth feels slow. That same mindset carries into how she shows up for others. Through live music reviews and Discord conversations, Annie has built deep connections with her audience. Their support fuels her — not just because they value her knowledge of music, but because she knows people are watching, listening, and learning through her journey. She encourages others to follow their hearts, pursue music, and keep going, even when doubt creeps in.

When recognition grows and stages get bigger, Annie is clear about what she won’t sacrifice: her core beliefs. She refuses to change who she is for popularity or fame. Growth matters to her — staying stagnant scares her far more than evolving in public. She wants to grow as a writer and vocalist, and she wants people to witness that evolution so they can grow alongside her.

This chapter of her story is about finding yourself and releasing. She’s just beginning to understand who she is and what she’s capable of as a 23-year-old independent woman navigating a chaotic world. Years from now, Annie hopes people say her music helped them survive — that it reminded them they weren’t alone, that healing is possible, and that brokenness doesn’t disqualify you from creating something beautiful.

As Annie herself says: