As a unique talent with a humble heart, Michelle Williams, one third of the multi-platinum-selling Destiny's Child, has become a respected singer and songwriter in her own right.
Expanding into different genres, breaking world records and taking Broadway by storm are just a few the accolades that have made her a household name.
Williams explains that her journey in music began even before receiving the call to become part of the group that would earn the title of world's best-selling female group of all time. In the midst of pursuing a criminal justice degree at the University of Illinois, she stepped out on faith and began her career.
"The journey has been filled with many twists and turns," says Williams, who landed her first professional job singing background vocals for R&B sensation Monica. "The majority of it has been awesome."
It was in the church choir that Williams discovered her passion for music and her love for Christ, and where she developed her vocal style, so when given the opportunity to record her first solo project, a gospel album entitled, Heart to Yours fit the bill. The album proclaimed her dedication and gratefulness to God for the awesome things He had done in her life. When asked about her relationship with God, Williams explains, "A relationship with God is important with anything and any career you have. I just happened to make music my career and the Lord has been with me every step of the way." Heart to Yours would go on to top the Billboard Gospel charts and received a GRAMMY award.
For some artists adjusting to life as a solo act can seem difficult, but Williams has taken it in stride.
"Life as a solo artist has been great. I get to do what I want to do and I really don't have to answer to anybody, except God of course! Life as a solo artist coming out of a group was lonely at first, but I've gotten used to it."
Between the time Heart to Yours became the best-selling Gospel album of 2002, and her second album Do You Know released in 2007, some in the Gospel community were less than supportive. The idea that an artist could produce mainstream music and still show their love and appreciation for God seemed taboo. The GRAMMY Award-winning singer admits, "It's taken me awhile to deal with it without getting angry. But I realized that we all have to stand in judgment one day and I pray for those who judge others here on earth."
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SOURCE: Gospel Music Channel - Martin Williams
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