Artist description Singing for almost as long as she could speak, Ericka's debut set wastes no time establishing a young talent with all the gusto it takes to one day join the ranks of R&B veterans. Much like those innumerable, soulful greats, Ericka's vocal initiation took place on the church pulpit at the tender age of five. Led by her very spiritual mother, Ericka recalls, "I didn't have a choice of whether to go to church or not, but I'm glad I was made to go, because that's where the singing started. Everybody said they could tell by the way that I sang that I was going to be a singer." In fact, anyone who attended the Missionary Baptist Church knew. Ericka's mature pipes could be heard performing solos every Sunday, and she's quick to tell you that they're all on tape. With the performance bug deeply imbedded, there was no stopping this dynamic show-stopper from singing, and everyone within earshot knew it. Though she admittedly only participated in one talent show, she'll quickly counter, "I've always done weddings and funerals. Whenever we had a cousin graduating, or anything special, I always had to sing." There are also vivid memories of everyone, from family members to the church's pastor, offering her vocal services, for which she'd ambitiously oblige. If it wasn't her favorite gospel selection ("Jesus Loves Me"), she could be regularly heard crooning and wailing her own rendition of "The Greatest Love Of All" by her musical influence, Whitney Houston. "She's my favorite singer because she's phenomenal, with both her voice and her style" Ericka explains. She also loves Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige and many other R&B - Pop Legends

Similar Artists Janet Jackson, Mary J. Blige, Aaliyah, TLC

Press Reviews Vibe (08/01/1997) ...Ericka's angelic voice, a hybrid of Whitney Houston's and Toni Braxton's, caresses notes with a subtle, sweet sensuality rarely heard from young R&B singers nowadays...

Location New York, New York - USA

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