Biography
Spensha Baker, an urban gospel and country-soul singer-songwriter originally from Virginia, now makes her home in San Antonio, Texas. She first stepped into the spotlight in 2004 as a child contestant on Star Search, and by her late teens she had become a contracted recording artist with Interscope. A series of favorably received singles plus a complete album issued in 2008 helped solidify her standing in gospel music, yet her participation on season 14 of The Voice in 2018 ultimately lifted her to wider recognition.
Born in Hampton, Virginia, in 1993, Baker experienced a childhood of repeated moves across the United States because of her parents’ military assignments. By age seven her commanding voice had already surfaced, and her mother pressed the youngster to cultivate and apply that singular gift. An appearance on The Inspirational Network’s Christian Artist Talent Search program followed, which in turn placed her on CBS’ Star Search at twelve years old. Ron Fair, then chairman of Geffen Records, served as a judge; although Baker did not win, he noted her considerable promise and signed her to Interscope. Her first release, a cover of the Clark Sisters’ “Hallelujah” produced by Warryn Campbell, arrived in 2008 and was followed later that year by the full-length debut Outloud!.
When the recording contract ended, Baker and her mother relocated to Nashville, where she developed a deep appreciation for country music; she later returned to Texas and earned her real estate license. In March 2018 she auditioned for The Voice with the Beatles’ “Blackbird,” drawing warm reactions from Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton. She joined Shelton’s team, advanced to the finale, and finished fourth after performing her original composition “Old Soul,” which was issued as a single afterward.
Born in Hampton, Virginia, in 1993, Baker experienced a childhood of repeated moves across the United States because of her parents’ military assignments. By age seven her commanding voice had already surfaced, and her mother pressed the youngster to cultivate and apply that singular gift. An appearance on The Inspirational Network’s Christian Artist Talent Search program followed, which in turn placed her on CBS’ Star Search at twelve years old. Ron Fair, then chairman of Geffen Records, served as a judge; although Baker did not win, he noted her considerable promise and signed her to Interscope. Her first release, a cover of the Clark Sisters’ “Hallelujah” produced by Warryn Campbell, arrived in 2008 and was followed later that year by the full-length debut Outloud!.
When the recording contract ended, Baker and her mother relocated to Nashville, where she developed a deep appreciation for country music; she later returned to Texas and earned her real estate license. In March 2018 she auditioned for The Voice with the Beatles’ “Blackbird,” drawing warm reactions from Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton. She joined Shelton’s team, advanced to the finale, and finished fourth after performing her original composition “Old Soul,” which was issued as a single afterward.
Albums
Singles
