When DJ P, told me there was a new voice on the scene we need to get with, I was not expecting what I got. Shon Hubble, AKA Estee, we were led to interview Estee by her husband, friend, confident, Mr Rick Hubble.

Estee’s latest 17 tracks offering, is her second album, titled ‘Anew’, has been on our playlist since March, its one for the collection, if you don’t already know!

Estee: Hello there Yours Truly, I am blessed to have this interview with you and I am glad that  “Move” has “moved” you! Thank you for this wonderful opportunity.

YT: We know you (Shon Hubble) were making headroom, as a secular artist, where does the name ‘Estee’ comes from?

Estee: Estee is actually my maiden name initials, spelled out.  My maiden name was Shon Thompson.

YT: It has been documented that you first started showing your musical flair at age 3, you have now produced written, played for this project and I won’t be shocked if you are the engineer! In all, what are your fondest musical memories?

Estee: A few of my best memories- well, many come to mind, but I will condense them to three: the time that I stood before the church, with my harmonica, with my teacher and my pastor, rest in peace; I was about ten or so, I was really good, and the three of us rocked and shocked the church.  People still remember that till this day.

The second came a little later- my first classical solo at college. I took voice lessons even though it was not a part of my major simply because I admire the elegance of classical singing.  I made honors recital with quite a difficult number; I hit that high B natural as well as aced the song!  I surprised myself, especially since I had struggled with that note from the beginning.  I will never forget the rush I felt after that standing ovation!

The last memory I will mention is when Ginuwyne came to our city.  My manager at the time booked him to perform at the club she owned, but first there was a little singing competition to set things off. I sang right in front of Ginuwyne, and his jaw dropped and the enormous crowd roared throughout my 10 seconds. We were timed, but he told me “Keep going!”  All my friends were there, falling off of me hugging me, and Ginuwyne actually wanted to work with me!

YT: You have been likened to great names such as Kim Burrell l and CeCe Winans, who has been your biggest influences to your music?

Estee:  I love both Kim and CeCe; it flatters me especially that people compare me to Kim because she has the best voice in the music industry. I think that I bring out a lot of influences: to me, “This and That” starts out with a Take 6 sort of flare. “That’s what” has kind of a throwback style with vocals that are Mary J influenced. “Power of Prayer” has a slight Beyonce feel vocally, and “Tomorrow Will Bring Jesus” whispers Yolanda Adams. When I was little I sounded a little like Stevie Wonder. I think I slightly emulate anyone I listen to a lot.

YT: Are these artists you would like to work with, not because of who they are, but musically?

Estee: I would most definitely love to work with all of them!  It would be nice to do a gospel number with Beyonce or Mary J despite the fact they are secular artists. I just love their style and they don’t do any trashy music (risqué lyrics, yes!)  But all of these musicians’ reputations are remarkable. Who am I to judge? Everyone is different; I decided to only do music for the master.   Sometimes God uses the most   interesting people to spread his message.

YT: Who would be your top two artists to work with, in what capacity and why?

Estee:  I would love to sing with Kim Burrell (no surprise!) and Take 6 most of all, number one just for the challenge of keeping up with them! With take 6, if I can just find a free part to fall into, that would be awesome! LOL Second because they do gospel music with so much finesse and pizzazz, and they can play around with their voices and make the message fun.  Third, I know I would learn so much from them. 

YT: Does the Internet allow you to show your work as you would like does it suit you?

Estee: I am thankful for the Internet; that is the main source of our promotion.  Promoting and networking to me is its best asset.  I don’t think you can get the true sound of an album off of it; the experience is nothing like listening to it in your car with your windows down, but the message still comes across very clearly. The only downside is the vulnerability of your work being downloaded illegally.

YT: Opening for Kelly Price in 2002 you were well on your way to a decorated career. It could be said that you have turned your back on perhaps one of the biggest opportunities in your life thus far; a 5-year in the making, record deal, how have you dealt with this personally? And what advice would you give to young musicians pursuing their gospel music trails?

Estee: To be honest, I never sulked about it, I hardly think about it because I have been blessed more as a gospel artist in this past two years than most of my lifetime trying to be a secular artist. Within ministering to other people I got ministered to, and my life is so not the same as it used to be. Anything that improves my spiritual self-awareness is something I can’t regret.  I don’t calculate success as money- there are a lot of miserable rich people in the world. It would have been a life of serving someone else’s expectations with no or little regard to what the Master is telling me to say, and probably not in the way I would want to express myself if regard was given. But I’d be getting a paycheck----- so what? I feel, God has given his life for me totally, why can’t I give mine back to Him? I am happy just to give His message. He’s still taking care of me. To that gospel artist trying to make it I say this… DON’T SELL OUT. That is what the devil wants you to do. He will come at you with fancy gifts and make you think that you are meant to go in that direction- follow the One who gave you the talent in the first place.

YT: Would you share the stage with a secular performance?

Estee: I feel very strongly about doing music only for the Lord; however the Lord can come through in music that is not labelled gospel. I just recently tried out for a chance to sing the Star Spangled Banner for a game. I don’t have a problem sharing a secular performance as long as God and I are tastefully represented.

YT: Clearly you are family lady, your husband being Rick Hubble the leader of ‘The Word’ - a Gospel Rhythm and Praise band, of which you still play with, outside of music who are your biggest life influences?

Estee: I would look to my mom as my biggest life influence. She took what little she had and stepped out on a wing and a prayer to create a tasteful life for herself and eventually her husband and five kids in a place far from the things and people she knew. She sacrificed for us like you would not believe. Her faith and perseverance are both honourable and hard to emulate. We starving artists know all too well about having to step out on faith. 

YT: You are the chief musician for your life long church, Greater Liberty Missionary Baptist Church, Ohio, but what’s next for Estee, apart from to ‘move and get your blessings’, you see I know the words already?

Estee: What’s next? It would be nice to have some Grammys a year from now (or just go to them!), have Omega 7 become a big production company here in Cincinnati, where people claim “nothing much is goin’ on”, work with those famous people I talked about (and then some), and go back to my other passion, drawing; maybe create a Christian clothing line. The sky is the limit, and it looks like a very promising year is in the making.

YT: Estee, it’s been a pleasure, and we at UKGM look forward to the undoubted success!! I predict your track; ‘All praise’ will be THE ONE!! I know it’s the one I can’t wait to play, ‘Neo-Gospel’ shouts YT!!

Estee: Once again, I thank you for your interest in me and the opportunity to share myself with you. Much love and be blessed!

We at UKGM would like to thank Estee for her time, and word to you worldwider readers... if you love gospel music; you are going to love Estee! Check out http://www.myspace.com/shonakaestee for purchase information

Tune in to Soulcure and Yours Truly to listen to the album, it’s going to ‘Move’ you....www.soulcure.com

 Yours Truly

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