In a world full of themes of misogyny and drugs, singer and songwriter Michelle-Lee aspires to be a light in the darkness with her positive message. She grew up in Delaware singing in her church and, with the encouragement of her loved ones, decided to pursue a career in music doing what she loves.
In her recent single “In Your Hands,” Michelle-Lee connects with her listeners through her worship of Christ.
The first minute of “In Your Hands” is strictly acoustic; a joyful melody is plucked on an acoustic guitar. The noise of fingertips sliding up and down the strings between chords gives the instrumental backtrack its authenticity. Michelle-Lee has a high range giving her silky vocals a feeling of being light as a feather.
As “In Your Hands” continues to progress, a lively and youthful percussion beat is added to the mix. The drumming style is slow-paced and seems to be inspired by jazz and soul genres. “In Your Hands” has a way of warming your heart; it has the same effect as the type of Gospel music that makes you want to sway and clap your hands to the beat.
Additionally, Michelle-Lee continues to inspire through her songwriting. “In Your Hands” is a memento to Michelle-Lee’s trusting relationship with Christ. She first brings attention to the struggles of living in today’s society, then shares that her faith is what gets her through.
Could you tell us more about your Faith, and how it allows you to be the person and artist you are today?
I am a Christian and I study the Bible. Most, if not, all of my artistry stems from my faith walk and relationship with God. I was born and raised in the church. As I got older and began to cultivate my faith, I began to learn more about myself and what my purpose and assignment were in life. Making an impact on the lives of others through my music is a huge part of why I create. If I can encourage another person through my songwriting and connect with them in a way that helps them, proves my "why" behind sharing my gift.
We loved the empowering message of “In Your Hands!” Could you deeper describe the meaning behind your lyrics?
By now, we can all agree that 2020 has been quite a historical year. COVID19 has flipped our world upside down. The pandemic has reconfigured just about every event and the trip we may have had planned and the injustices that we have witnessed time and time again are at an all-time high right now. Social Media has made it convenient to feed ourselves fear, anger, and inequality. Some are even using this time as a green light to express their hatred towards others. Discord in our Nation is reaching its climax and relief seems to feel farther and farther away. "In Your Hands" serves as a reminder that God has a plan and that He has us all in the palm of His hand. Though we may not understand it, I believe that God works ALL things for our good for those that love God and are called according to His purpose. I believe, though this was a HUGE change in our world, we needed this time to stop, take the blinders off, and really deal with what our Nation has been sweeping under the rug for so long. We needed to reset, to reprioritize, and to refocus.
Could you tell us how “In Your Hands” compares to your other songs? How does it stand out?
Aww man, believe it or not, I was hesitant to push this song because of how much of a sore thumb it was compared to my other work! Presenting this song to the world was more of obedience than anything else. It had nothing to do with a brand. This really was just a song that was placed on my heart during the quarantine. I felt led to share it after having to take some time away from social media. Every day, I was being bombarded with a new way of "masked" living, the death toll rising, employment rate plummeting, stores closing, innocent people being killed because of their skin color. I was absorbing all of these things simultaneously and it was creating fear and anger in my heart. The worst part, I knew I couldn't be the only one feeling like this. God placed this song on my heart and I wanted to share it in hopes to remind someone else that in the midst of all of this, God is real and faithful to His word.
We know that you have worked alongside very successful artists, and performed at world-renowned venues. Could you tell us about some of these experiences, and what you have learned from them?
God has been so good with the opportunities that have been set before me. From performing at venues such as The Trocadero and Radio City Music Hall to opening for people such as Sarah Jakes Roberts, The Walls Group, and RealTalkKim, I'm honored to even be considered. These experiences remind me of how far I've come but also how much room I have to grow. These opportunities let me know that I'm in the right place, at the right time in my artistry.
What has been keeping you inspired in 2020?
Believe it or not, the time has been keeping me inspired. Prior to quarantine, it was so easy for me to fill up my schedule with "busy" but now since things have been closed, I've been forced to sit and create. All those moments I prayed to have more time on my hands have now come to fruition and I am taking advantage of it.