Get ready to experience the sound of glory. This sound is coming forth to the nations to change lives and to set those who are held in captivity free. The voice behind this sound is none other than celebrated worshiper, Preashea Hilliard. I had the opportunity to go one-on-one with the gospel songstress to talk about her second live worship album THE GLORY EXPERIENCE, which will be released independently April 21st via Soundefx Media and distributed by New Day Distributors.
It was six years ago that Hilliard’s first album, Live Out Loud was released. That record marked her as a vital new voice in gospel music, finding her favor among the likes of some of the best in the genre and casual listeners all over the world. This time with much spiritual growth, Hilliard readies a well rounded worship record that has all the right ingredients to be a hit.
Hilliard penned ten songs from THE GLORY EXPERIENCE, five co-written by Eric King, Jr., who also served as Co-Producer and Music Director for her live recording. She wants everyone to know that “Glory is coming, so everyone should get you some!” Hilliard is the daughter of Texas-based mega-church pastors Bishop I.V. Hilliard and Dr. Bridget Hilliard and i would say one of the most stylish woman in gospel music.
In this week’s New Music feature, the singer-songwriter talks to us about her new album and her all-consuming love of music. Here goes!
Harvest Magazine (HM) - “The Glory Experience,” How excited are you about this project?
Preashea Hilliard (PH) - I don't know if i can really put words to it. It's been a long time coming since my last record and i have been waiting for this moment to come. So, let's just say that i am just super super excited. I can't wait for the world to have new music and new worship tunes that i pray will be a blessing.
HM - What was the preparation process like?
PH - I would have to say for the past six years i was actively trying to put a record together. It's not like i wasn't thinking of not recording for six years. But it just never worked out. So when the opportunity presented itself, the process was really easy and that's how i knew it was the right time. Everybody just came on board with excellence. They believed in my vision and translated it in their attitudes and posture towards the project. From the singers, to the audio engineers and the band members, this moment was really marked by the hands of God.
HM - Expectation for the album?
PH - You know what, I heard so many testimonies rolling in from my first album LIVE OUT LOUD about people being healed, delivered and saved. So that was one of my goals for this project, to give people a worship tool. I want this record to be the one that you can pull up on your phone and say i just need to hear this song to calm me down, i just need to hear this song before i go into the doctor's office. The bible says, "we run into the tower of the name of the Lord," and i want this record to be one of those things that help people to get there as quick as possible.
HM - What are some of the challenges that you have had to face being a Bishop/Pastor’s kid?
PH - Well, I think the greatest challenge is finding your own relationship with God and not what you see in the church that others do or say. I always tell these kids to find themselves and be what God called them to be. It is a tough place to be in, but it is also a blessing.
HM - How important is the anointing in ministry?
PH - The anointing is very essential, vital and necessary and we can't do what we do without the anointing. It is that oil that defines what authentic worship looks like. I tell my praise team at my home church all the time, we can’t do nothing without His (God's) anointing. I mean, I am so surprised that people still come to church to hear me sing. I would be tired of hearing me by now, but it's the anointing that makes the difference.
HM - Do you think that there is biasness in the gospel industry?
PH - In any industry there are going to be people who are favored. There are also going to be people who are in it for the right reason and those for the wrong reason. But i will say it like Joshua said, for me and my house, I believe the Lord makes your name great and when he makes it great no one can put your name to the ground. He is the one that open doors and he is the one that shuts them. I mean at the end of the day, when one of us wins, all of us win. This (Gospel Music) is the best genre and there is room for everyone.
HM - Who is doing it for you right now in gospel?
PH - Hmmm….who is doing it for me? I would have to say my brother Travis Greene, JJ Hairston & Youthful Praise. I absolutely love Todd Dulaney and of course Tasha Cobbs. Anthony Brown music is hot right now. You know what, i am so proud to be apart of the genre.
HM - Preashea, you are definitely one of the most stylish woman in gospel right now. Where do you get your inspiration from?
PH - Ha ha ha! Thank you so much…… but i will say it to you like this, my mother. I always say to her how do you look younger than me every time. She is always very fashion forward and so I take notes. I remember the days when she use to lay all my clothes out on the bed. She always believed in dressing your best at all times. Even if you are just going to the airport. As a matter a fact, let me let you in on a little secret. I will unashamedly say that over the years, if you’ve seen me on the Stellar Awards red carpet, I am in her clothes. Ha ha ha ha!
HM - What do you prefer: flats or stilettos?
PH - What! Flats of course
HM - Preaching or singing?
PH - This is hard, can i pick both? But you know what, I am going to go with singing. Although, I am always preaching when I am singing.
HM - What would you say to someone who feels like the glory has run out on them?
PH - Hmmm. I would say that there is a unknown worship that i don't think many people preach about and that's the relationship of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Spirit is our helper and I believe that it is the relationship with the Holy Spirit that gives us freshness from the presence of the Lord. So I believe that when you come to the place where you feel like the glory has run out, I don't believe that the glory has run out, I just believe that you haven't tapped into the right place to get the glory. God has already told us where to get the glory, so get to that place. Getting to that place is what will get you your fire and your glory back. God is always working in our lives and worship will give us that perspective of the supernatural power in our lives.