RAMIYAH
Interview conducted by Ashlee Jenkins

What are your individual names?

RAMIYAH: I'm Sherise, I'm DeLaurian, I''m Tracy , I'm Stephanie. We are Ramiyah.

UGN: What RAMIYAH mean?

Stephanie: It means God is exalted.

UGN: We believe that it is important to know and pursue your purpose at a young age. I'd like to ask you some questions about finding your purpose. Do you believe that singing is your purpose? If so, why?

RAMIYAH: We definitely believe that singing is our purpose because we not only sing this music, but this is the life that we live. So it's not just lyrics to us, but it is our life being manifested through lyrics.

UGN: How did you all meet?

RAMIYAH: Well, PAJAM Productions held auditions and that's were we meet. We had never seen each other before. Then we were put together as a group. We were put together by PAJAM. They held auditions 5 years ago and we are the three. We are still standing strong by the grace of God.

UGN: What were some of the obstacles that you had to overcome?

RAMIYAH: Well God has been our strength. We thank God for people like Bishop Merritt. We go to so many venues where the purpose is not to glorify God. It's a place to have a show, play hip-hop music and say God is in the place when God isn't. So, we just thank God that God is real. We want to let the world know that you can be young, saved and worship God in spirit and all of His truth and still have fun. That's what it is all about. It's not about compromising.

UGN: Are there any other artist that inspire you?

RAMIYAH: There are a lot. From the legendary Clark Sisters of Detroit , Mary Mary, of course J Moss, Shirley Ceasar, many more.

UGN: What do you expect from the future?

RAMIYAH: Many blessings. Great things are coming up, because He didn't bring us this far to leave and not manifest His blessings.

UGN: Now I'd like to read you some statistics concerning youth and get your feedback. 8% of 13-16 year olds have had a casual sexual relationships. I believe that it is mainly due to some of the explicit videos that show like BET, 106 PARK show each and every day. What do you think about this?.

RAMIYAH : We agree. One thing that we know is that God is in RAMIYAH. We are a light for those that want to come out of darkness. The music and the videos are totally out of control nowadays. They are of the world so they act worldly. We are of the church so we should be of the church and glorify God. We have to remember that our body is a living sacrifice, a holy temple.

Parents also need to be examples. They need to stand up and say to their children, “you are not going to listen to this in my house, you are not going to speak like this in my house and dress like that leaving out of my house.”

UGN: Over 33 million teenagers live in America alone. Experts predict that at the current rate of evangelism, only 4% of tomorrow's generation, today's teens will hold core Biblical beliefs. As a gospel artist, how can you personally address this issue?

RAMIYAH : We have a song that say's “Here we go.” And it basically means, it doesn't matter how old you are, you can be 10, 12 or 15. I just think young people are so concerned about blending in and compromising and trying to gain the world acceptance. We just need to stand up for God and walk in the path that God has chosen for us. God is going to catch you eventually, so you might as well surrender. Don't wait until you get in to a situation when you really need Him. If you want Him to hear you, you need to be in a relationship with Him. So we want all the young people to know that the there is no better place to be but in the grace of God. We know personally, so don't run, it's a good place to be. Don't run, we're there with you.

UGN: What advise do you give a young person that would like to pursue a singing career?

RAMIYAH : First, pray, pray, pray, pray, pray, pray, pray. That is the most important think. You have to know that this is what God is calling you to do. We go to some many places and fight so many strongholds it is ridicules. It is only through the grace of God that we are able to get through shows and break through all of the that and have God get the victory. You definitely need the Holy Ghost so pray and ask God for that gift.

UGN: What is the most rewarding part of your ministry?

Stephanie: To see young people at the altar surrendering before God. I would not be singing anything if it were not from God and that's the truth.

Sherise: To change somebody's life .

UGN: Are there any parting words you would give to someone about finding the purpose for their life?