We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Erica Charleston a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Erica, thanks for joining us today. What’s been the most meaningful project you’ve worked on?
The most meaningful project that I have worked on is the current project I am doing right now. This project is ministry through music. I am a Christian artist that has been reedemed to make a public declaration in testimony of what God has done for me. This project not only highlights a lot of my testimony but as well foretells the ending of God’s mysterious plan. This project will touch hearts, heal, deliver, and set many free. It’s important that people hear the Good News of Jesus Christ and I’m glad that God choose me to be a vessel to do it.
Erica, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
I started singing at the age 6. I also went to a performing arts school from 6th to 12th grade. I moved to GA during 2020 and I knew I wanted to have my own label and do acting. However when I began my journey with christ I was a sinner. I wanted to do music for all the wrong reasons. I also did not understand the depths of music influencing a generation. As I turned to christ I actually let go of music. The music that I had put out was not pleasing to christ or a generation. I actually took a long break and started working with children and just building a strong foundation with christ. The children actually taught me so many things. I saw how music really impacts a generation. I honestly thought my music days were over. I made a decision to just live for christ and to really set my eyes and values on what he wanted me to do while I’m here. As Jesus begin to clean me inside and out worship became dear to me. I love being in the presence of God I would have it no other way. As old habits fell off, he begin to make a new path for me. He gave me pure desires, new skills, new joy, a new me. He gave me a new identity changed my name and then he gave me music back. I actually went to a Christian Creative Camp called camp grace. I did not know how I was going to pay to go and I prayed lord if this is what you want me to do please provide for me to go. A unexpected 100.00 came into my account and I was able to go. God made sure EVERYTHING was paid for in full including every item I needed. I learned a lot a camp and even so God let me know that we are partners in this to bring him glory. I don’t do music for money I do it because I’m partners with the father to bring him great glory!! God put all the pieces together at camp I met a pastor there named Danny. He invited me to Bible and beats where we have Bible study and then go into the studio and create. God literally put everything together like a puzzle piece in order for me to worship freely and in a safe place to record! I think what sets me apart from many is simple many are called but “few” are chosen. I believe I have been appointed, anointed, for such a time as this and I’m excited about what God is doing !!
What do you think is the goal or mission that drives your creative journey?
Yes, the goal is to save a generation but the mission is to save souls. When people look back at older music verse the music that I am doing now it will definitely show what the lord has done for me. I pray that a generation can see you do not have to live for the world but can live in freedom in christ boldly unapologeticaly. I am a living breathing witness of what God can do. I am the proof and if he did it for me he can do it for anyone else. This will be a display of what fully surrendered to christ looks like in real time. I pray that it will influence many to follow the path christ has set for them instead of doing things their way. I also know that the songs will save souls. I was born in Chicago heights and raised in Gary,IN. So a lot of people use to say “nothing good can come out of gary” and it reminds me of how people would say “nothing good could come out of Nazareth” God has a since of humor sometimes but I know it will greatly impact and influence my community as well.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect as an artist is now I get to worship God in spirit and truth and record at the same time. As before I love being in God’s presence and now I have a career where I get to do it all the time!!! I just love that and its also rewarding seeing others be blessed and ministering to others in song as well so that God can get the glory. I have treasure in heaven it doesn’t get any more better than that.
As well as God giving me identity “Shabach” is a Hebrew name it means
to shout and praise, to make a loud joyous testimony. A public declaration of a holy roar that unites community not just for the current generation but for those to come, praising Gods work to another!!!
Lastly I love how God is the CEO of Legendary Music Back Entertainment
Contact Info:
- Website: https://legendarymusicback74.wixsite.com/shabach?fbclid=IwdGRjcANp6BVjbGNrA2noAGV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEec2cGhJBdeBFvbBfBs_uXEn4GK9d9A3CgFSXPq3XtXY-ytbUlF8IdAL_sLW8_aem_W-RKC9hezBvg6Hz23V0nQw
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shabachc?igsh=MXFsb3FwNWQ4NTNnOA==
- Other: https://unitedmasters.com/a/shabach?fbclid=IwdGRjcANp84ljbGNrA2nzUWV4dG4DYWVtAjExAAEey3o3Arp-TzBIIMbXDZaaD_lHFJkmRpyFtHTDGzzsJVibRml_iBGLzh1r7Jg_aem_ZRiUltCgR8a3AROjtdOZrg
Image Credits
The Father God, the son Jesus, && the holy spirit
Frontier – Camp Grace – Creative Writing
Pastor Danny -Bible Beats – Restoration Studios
Middle Ridge Elementary School
K- 5th grade of 2024
The Greatest Birth Cast- Director and creator of the Goat (God Over All Things hoodies)
Octavia Pugh