Lively and engaging, she was willing even to talk about the challenging aspects of her great family legacy. The daughter of Karen Clark-Sheard, a founding member of the Gospel legends, the Clark Sisters, and granddaughter of the late Dr. Mattie Moss Clark, one of the most defining influences in gospel music, Kiki carries a heavy load in terms of expectations.
"A lot of people may compare me to what my mom or my aunts can do," she admits. "They sing so wonderfully! But I'm Kierra. It's kind of hard to get out from being Karen Clark-Sheard's daughter, but I want people to know it's me, I'm Kiki." She's quick to add, "I love my mother to death but sometimes I do feel the pressure of different people' expectations, from the family's fans. Maybe they expect me to sound like this one or that one, but I'm me."
Of course, this makes the title of her wonderful new project, "This Is Me," very understandable, so I ask her what she'd like her fans to take way from the music. Her response is quick and to the point. "Most of all I'd like them to know that if somebody tells you that you can't be what you want to be, but you feel like you have a vision, don't let them saying it's impossible stop you. Talk about your vision with the Lord, and if it's His will, ask Him to please bring it to pass. If it is His will, He'll do that. If it's doesn't happen," and she laughs here, "It's probably for your own good. I've asked Him for a lot of things that I thought I wanted, and He didn't give them to me. But it was for my own good."
Kiki's heart to teach is revealed as she continues, "Once you get further on in life, you realize that having a relationship with God is the best thing that could ever happen to you. As for trying to live saved, I'm not perfect," she acknowledges. "We all make our mistakes. Trying to live the Christian life can be somewhat of a task, but still, a relationship with God is the best."
Her voice is soft as she goes on, "People may say you can't do this or that, but if you hold on to Him, you'll come through it and say, hey, this is me, the same person you said couldn't do it. It's all about accomplishing goals, with the Lord in the center of your life, helping you to get to what He has planned for you."
Kiki finishes strong with, "For me, most of it is about sending out the gospel message, letting people know that with God you find that all things are possible. But it's all in this new record. These songs were written from the bottom of my heart." Her heart is clear; could the new album be called anything but "This Is Me?". Click here to view my review.
