Chatting with a Champion: An Exclusive Interview with Beckah Shae on Her New Album

Beckah Shae is poised to release her long awaited album "Champion" on May 6.  Preceded by the singles "Turbo Style" and the "Incorruptible," this seventh release is also Shae's most ambitious project.  The album features a cadre of collaborators including Crystal Lewis, Israel Houghton, T-Bone, Eric Dawkins and Canon.  We are honored to be able to catch up with Beckah for this exclusive Hallels' interview:   

Hallels:  Beckah, thank you so much for your time.  Congratulations on your new album "Champion," what is the take home message you want your hearers to take home from this album? 

I want this to cause others to be encouraged to take new leaps of faith and to help them run their race, and not just run but Finish Strong!  When you listen I hope you feel empowered and reminded that you have your own unique purpose and assignment and God has given you everything you need to Conquer. Ultimately I want you to know God intimately, choose the Incorruptible, be invincible, see the invisible, and do the impossible. Like A Champion. 

Hallels:  You have also worked with a whole bunch of people on this record including Crystal Lewis, T-Bone, Eric Dawkins, Canon and Israel Houghton, how did you connect with them? Is there an interesting story you would like to share working with these notable collaborators?

One of my darkest times as a teenager I was staying with a family not of the Christian faith, and I didn't have a church or have any type of community," she explains. "But one of my friends from back home sent me Crystal's Beauty For Ashes CD and I remember playing it back and forth from my job at the time and having it be the sole source of ministry for me that season. Fast forward all these years later, I saw she was preparing a new project through Kisckstarter I was excited to help! Then I met her at a friends birthday  party, and from here, we just connected and I was able to present a song idea of leaving a 'Legacy' to her and she agreed to be a part of it. She's been a real Champion for me and is a real example of an artist who planted a seed without even realizing it until decades later. And that's exactly what I hope to do with my music- sow seeds in other people and have them bear fruit sometime down the road."

Israel Houghton, He is one of my most favorite people. His music has inspired me and ministered to me for over a decade. It has truly been the soundtrack to my faith. We met when collaborating on (T-bones latest release "Posses my body" for the I'm in Love with a Church Girl Soundtrack) I member the moment he said, "So when are we going to do a song together?" I embarrassed myself and said out loud, " I think I'm going to pee my pants!"  It was definitely a moment! Haha It is undeniable that God has been the orchestrator for everything and I am constantly amazed, in a state of great Thankfulness through this whole process I have claimed myself to be a Blessed Mess.

Hallels:  You also have quite a testimony in putting this album together including your successful Kickstarter campaign.  Would you like to share with us a little about the making of "Champion"? 

Every song, every album I've ever made has been a clear reflection of the journey I'm on in that season. These days I feel like I am in desperate need of Keeping Focused on the Pioneer and Champion of my faith more than ever. When I look around I see a majority clinging to conformity. It is very difficult these days to Stand Up, Stand Out and Stand Firm. So most songs are about keeping an eternal perspective, braving the unknown and finishing strong. When we stay in it to win it, Grateful and faithful God is sure to have your back, He shows up and shows out. He has a History of showing off Strong in our weakness. I have grown up with very little, and have always felt a bit of a misfit. It has been my reoccurring testimony that God is my Provider and Champion! It's not about how many are on your team, but who is on your team. It's not about the greatness of what's in your hand, but the greatness of faith that's in your heart. If the whole world was against me I know where to go, up higher with God, my perspective changes... and my enemies become the size of ants. To see ourselves the way God sees us is the beginning of Freedom. To Know Him first, is how we come to know ourselves as Champions.

Hallels:  I am sure many of these songs are personal to you, can you share with us a song from the album that means a lot to you and how it was birthed out of your own experience? 

Pioneer.Someone coming from a broken home and without the traditional churched background, I've seen it all, and experienced too much to tell. God's unfathomable grace and Love has changed and made me New. Therefore, I Lover and a believer in New things. As an independent artist, we decided to travel down roads that are not paved, but that are long, hard, full of potholes and curves and very rocky. We knew this would not be easy, but we were willing to fail, to grow, to take risks, to make new discoveries, jump over doubt and believe God can use even us to do something extraordinary if we don't give up, pray through and press on. God has called us all to make a difference in this world and I know if we are willing He will grant us a pioneering spirit to do everything that He has called us to expand His kingdom. We all have a role to play, we are all uniquely made, we can't afford to be afraid to go to the unknown. Why not, take the lead and see that you're a Pioneer!

Hallels: I can see churches even singing to songs like "Vision" and "Promises," do you lead worship yourself when you are not recording or touring? 

I am a worshipper! Yes there are times that I'm given the opportunity to lead and when I get them it is such a treat. My favorite place is in God's presence, where He is fully welcomed. There is just something amazing about worshipping corporately. There is strength in Unity and Power. When we all come together on one accord the heart of God is heard and seen much clearer.  It is Kingdom.

Hallels:  For our readers who would like to purchase "Champion" or find out more about you, where can they go? 

It is very simple, Beckah Shae... iTunes, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, BeckahShae.com! As long as you can spell my name right! ;)

 

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