FFS: Thank you for agreeing to this interview. Please introduce yourselves to our readers? Alicia: Hello everyone! My name is Alicia Williams and I am 24 yrs. old. I am from Wilson, NC but have spent my adult life in Greenville, NC. I completed my Master’s of Social Work at East Carolina University in Greenville, NC in May 2008. I currently work as a Clinical Social Worker for a state psychiatric hospital where I encourage and counsel the patients and let them know life doesn’t end due to their mental illness. I am getting married to the love of my life, Henry Woods, on August 15, 2009. At this time I am simply loving life and enjoying the journey that God has set before me!
Paris:What’s up fam! My name is Paris Andrew. I was born and raised in Raleigh, NC and am currently wrapping up my Master’s Degree at North Carolina State University!
Tasha: Hello my name is Tasha Vaughn. I am 26 yrs. old. I am from Wilson, NC but have lived in Greenville as an adult. I completed by Bachelor’s of Arts in Health Education and Promotion at East Carolina University. I aspire to go back to school to get my Bachelor of Science in Nursing.
FFS: When did each of you start rapping?
Alicia: Well actually Paris is the only one that raps. I am a singer by nature and generally don’t rap unless I am just having fun and playing around. Paris, Tasha, and I just thought it would be an awesome experience and blessing to the Kingdom of God to see three young women intertwine their gifts as a form of worship.
Paris: I started writing poetry when I was 12 years old. My style of writing often comes out in the form of rap as I often like to recite my poetry to soft music or to a beat. When I got to college, I began doing spoken word at open mic events, poetry jam sessions and church events.Tasha: I actually do not rap however, I play the clarinet. I started playing in band in 6th grade, but I started playing in church and by ear when I was in the 7th grade.
FFS: How was Partners-N-Rhyme formed and where did the name come from?
Everyone’s Response: Partners-N-Rhyme formed when myself, and a fellow poet in the faith of mine, Mr. Marquice Jones would meet up to collaborate on poetry to minister at church events. Our poetic styles vibe so well together that we called ourselves Partners-N-Rhyme, and we began to identify other ‘Partners’ in the faith who could add their salt to ours in ministry. Our Clarinetist, Tasha Vaughn and our Vocalist, Alicia Williams both exemplify the confluence multifaceted musical ministry infused with poetic passion. Usually, when it is Tasha, myself and Alicia, we often call ourselves, “Rhythm and Praise”, or R&P to redirect the crowd’s thoughts from R&B to R&P.
FFS: If you could ask any woman in the bible one questions what would it be and why?
Alicia: I think I would ask the Woman with the Issue of Blood how she pressed with such perseverance to the hem of Jesus garment. Since I am a worshiper no matter what I want to always touch Jesus with my praise and worship. When I look at her it was such a high level of intensity to her getting to the garment of Jesus because she knew she would be made whole. I feel that at times we get so lackadaisical that we don’t press and do whatever it takes to touch Jesus and truly be whole. I also admire her for her fervent faith.
Paris: I would ask the disciple, Tabitha, also known as Dorcas, what it felt like to be a blessing to so many people in her realm of influence in the town of Joppa. The people loved her ministry so much that when she died, they tracked down Peter to come and raise her up from the dead to live and minister to them again. I would love to talk to Dorcas because I desire to download and enact the qualities that it takes to be an on fire leader in Christ, to the point that when I leave, people will demand an encore of the presence of God.
Tasha: I would ask Sarah about her insight on Faith beyond everything she endured. No matter what Sarah went thorough she still had joy beyond measure so much so to the Lord brought her laughter which was her son Isaac (Genesis 21).FFS: The bible says that life and death are in the power of the tongue. How is that truth displayed through your ministry?
Everyone’s Response: Well to answer this question you can look at the piece that we created “God’s Glamorous Girls”. Through this piece and many more that will be created we touch on the issues of our day and let people know especially women that question “Is anything to hard for the Lord?” (Genesis 18:4) and let them know nothing is too hard for the Lord. Our aim is to let them know it doesn’t matter what type of giant they are facing because God is able to do exceeding and abundantly above all that ask, or think in their wildest dreams (Ephesians 3:20 Message Bible) and he will do just that. That is the epitome of speaking life.
FFS: Have either of you ever dealt with rejection of your gift because you are a woman? If so, how did you handle it?
Alicia: Well I truly can not say that I have dealt with rejection of my gift and for that I am grateful. Generally people embrace me and enjoy hearing me sing and lead them into worship. They especially enjoy when Paris, Tasha, and I come together because they enjoy the unique worship experience that they obtain from us interlocking our gifts.
Paris: Fortunately no, I haven’t. Many men and women tend to enjoy spoken word from a young, talented oracle of God. They tend to like the gift of poetry because it attracts the youth, as well as the older saints to consider the simple things in life. This gift of poetry is often refreshing and cathartic for others.
Tasha: I wouldn’t say rejection. As a musician there are not that many women around or you just don’t see them, especially women horn players. I’ve never felt rejected, just left out sometimes. You feel the need to prove yourself as an equal, but I have been blessed to be around some men who truly love God and the Anointing.
FFS: If you could record a track with anyone who would it be and why?
Alicia: I would record a track with Tye Tribett because I simply love his music but more importantly I love how he ministers the word to people whether it be thorough song or through spoken words. I also love his enthusiasm for the things of God and representing the Kingdom of God. He also has an energy level out of this world and I definitely would like to gain that from him.
Paris: Da Truth. Da Truth is a gospel rap artist who is educated in the faith, challenges the status quo, and collaborates with various artists for one common purpose: To fulfill the great commission, which is to draw all souls closer to Christ to the point of salvation. I would be HONORED to rap on a track, or do a poetic interlude with Da Truth. I’ve never seen him in concert personally, but I’ve followed his music ministry and recommend his music to anyone who is looking to hear the gospel preached to a beat.
Tasha: Tye Tribbett! I am a huge fan of his and Sound Check (The Band). I love the energy, the jazziness, and the beautiful worship.
FFS: Young girls are being pressured more than ever to “drop it likes it’s hot” in sexually explicit videos, magazines, and so on. It seems like the only way to get noticed is to show some skin. If you had to minister to a girl caught between being a video vixen and God’s girl, what would you say?Paris: IMAGE IS EVERYTHING. If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything. Take this time today, to be the trend setter. Make holiness a trend. Everyone gets excited whenever they see ‘NEW’ attached to a thing. Be the ‘NEW’. The N.otably E.xquisite W.omen that everyone else will aspire to be. You can only be “N.E.W.” by accepting Christ in your life, and walking out that relationship in obedience and submission to Him. You can do it. Everyone is waiting on the N.E.W. you…including Partners-N-Rhyme.
Tasha: I would tell her that she is worth much more than showing her body to the world. A true woman who esteems herself to be the top and a real dime piece knows her worth in Christ. She indeed has a worth far more than rubies and diamonds. If you don’t want to be trash, feel like trash, become trash, then don’t do trashy things.
Alicia: After reading and talking with my group members I definitely have noting left to say. They summed it up quite nicely and I agree with what they stated completely.
FFS: Name some of your favorite artists.
Alicia: Tye Tribett, Fred Hammond, Kirk Franklin, Mary Mary, William Murphy, Lisa McClendon, CeCe Winans, Kiki Sheard and a ton of others that would probably fill this page.
Paris: William Murphy, Mary Mary, Mali Music, Tye Tribbett, Da Truth, Ambassador, Lecrae, Tripp Lee, Phanatik, Flame, Stephen the Levite, the list could go on and on.
Tasha: Tye Tribbett, Kirk Franklin, William Murphy, Chris Tomlin. Lisa McClendon, Kirk Whalum and Kenny G.
FFS: No one said Canton Jones! You all lose 4 cool points for that lol (JJ)! Give me 4 bars right now on love.
Everyone’s Response: Give me that love that is rich, something like the top dollar
Surpassing common law because it comes from the Father
Limitless in affection, our praise breeds new direction
Pricking hearts, touching souls to the point of confession
FFS: What’s next for you ladies?
Everyone’s Response: That is definitely a tough question at this point. We all are accomplishing so much in life with marriage on the horizon for one of us (Alicia), one of us finishing up a Master’s Degree and a freshly started marriage (Paris), and then another wanting to pursue a second degree (Tasha). All though we are not sure at this time we know that God will lead and guide us. We also know that we share a covenant relationship and that our paths will forever cross. In the mean time we would love to do further projects together and we know that it will happen.
FFS: A woman’s shoes say a lot about her. What does yours say about you?
Paris: Day by day, I’m walking in and on purpose.
Alicia: Well I am definitely the Stiletto Type. For some stilettos are hard to walk in but not for me. What can I say just as my shoes are high I am definitely going higher and higher in the things of God. I am excited about where God is taking me. No matter how high he exalts me I am confident that my God will allow me to walk with confidence, boldness, and authority! I exalt God because he is the greatest!
Tasha: Classy but comfortable would describe my shoes. I am a down to earth person who is sweet, classy, and beautiful and likes to spread the joy and love of Christ wherever I go. I am also very comfortable with my relationship with God and where I am in life.
FFS: You ladies are an inspiration and I am blessed to have you featured in FFS! Continue to walk in your purpose and I look forward to seeing more of R&P in the future.
To check out some awesome video of Rhythm&Praise in action, visit their Youtube page www.youtube.com/user/PartnersNRhyme.
