Wande Dees owes much of her vibrant faith in Jesus to music. Growing up in a mostly Muslim household, she wasn’t always able to go to church. But she found Christian rap online, which marked the beginning of her journey with Jesus. Today, as a Christian rap artist, she weaves faith, hope and Scripture into her music — without sacrificing quality (with two GRAMMY nominations to prove it). Join us as we chat with Wande about her favorite childhood recipes, her new passions in music and the dangers of people-pleasing.

QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT

There’s much more to food than palate and preference. How does a go-to meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind the web bio?

Smells of tomato and Maggi cubes fill the air. The roaring sound of a blender erupts in the room followed by a sliding splash from freshly blended okra. The combo all comes together to make one of my favorite Nigerian dishes: pounded yam with tomato stew and okra.

For a night, our home in Texas transforms into a Nigerian restaurant. The dish brings back memories from my childhood and the richness of embracing my African culture even on a different continent. The warmth of the food is like a blanket on a cold night. It reminds me that no matter where you are in the world, there are always the little things like food that can make a place feel like home. It reminds me of how traditions can be passed down to younger generations to keep the family heritage alive.

Although I’ve eaten this meal maybe hundreds of times, I will never get tired of the deliciousness and happiness it brings.

QUESTION #2: REVEAL

We’ve all got quirky proclivities and out-of-the-way interests. So what are yours? What so-called “nonspiritual” activity (or activities) do you love engaging in, which also help you find essential spiritual renewal?

There’s a dance class hosted every week on the outskirts of Atlanta. The evening start time might scare away some who are tired from the day. However, once you enter the doors of the building, you’ll often see many people coming to life.

I enjoy dancing because it allows you to feel free. To dance full out, you have to let go and embrace freedom. There’s also a surprise that comes with attending dance classes — you never know what the choreographer is going to create. It’s beautiful to see them express their art through the choreography.

Each week, dancing offers a beautiful release and allows me to embrace the physical activity needed for my body’s health. It also provides the freedom to push myself to learn something new.

I think dancing reflects our walk with God because it parallels how God calls us to freedom. The freedom is available, but many of us are too afraid to step into it. God has placed amazing things inside many of us, but no one will ever know if we are too afraid to be our full selves.

Even the concept of showing up to class is a reflection as well because you never know what’s on the other side of deciding to attend that day. In the same way, you never know what’s on the other side of choosing to step out in faith on any particular day.

QUESTION #3: CONFESS

Every superhero has a weakness. Every human, too. We’re just good at faking it. But who are we kidding? We’re broken and in this thing together. So what’s your kryptonite, and how do you hide it?

African culture is very big on perfectionism and elitism. Our parents often push us to be the best in everything. That may mean getting all A’s; if you do a sport, bringing the best; and going on to have a career as a doctor, lawyer or engineer. At award ceremonies, you’re expected to be one of the ones who wins the most.

Although this mentality often comes from a healthy place of parents just wanting more for their children than was available in their home country, it sometimes creates in their children an unhealthy trait of people-pleasing.

Because I was often praised for achieving, I have a strong drive to achieve in everything, including my relationships and career. However, if this achievement is rooted in other people’s definition of success, it can become unhealthy.

Everyone has their own ideas of who they want you to be. It’s impossible to please everyone. Trying to do so will lead you to live for other people and forget yourself in the process.

One of my lowest moments was when I was working myself to death to please various people in a company. It brought the company a lot of growth in the process, yet at the end of the year, the first thing I was told in a meeting was that I was selfish. It was at that moment that I realized you could work yourself to your limits and put yourself last, and people might still not appreciate you.

People-pleasing is one of the most hidden forms of kryptonite because no one knows about it but you. Only you truly know what your passions and desires are and your motivations for pursuing them. I found that there’s freedom in being yourself and living out the purpose God called you to, not what other people want you to do. There is freedom in saying no, and if others don’t respect you for saying no, that’s their problem, not yours.

QUESTION #4: FIRE UP

Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your current obsession? And why should it be ours?

I’m passionate about people experiencing freedom, and I’m currently working on expressing that with new music. Christian music often has a box, and I’ve found that God is using me to break that mold. I’m a diverse artist who makes Christian hip-hop and pop. Often, I hear people say that my music is what it would sound like if Doja Cat, Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé and Rihanna made Christian/Gospel music.

I’m excited because I’ve been diving into new production, and have been documenting my journey with my relationship with God in real time. I think this new music will help a lot of people connect with God and provide a soundtrack for the day-to-day moments we experience in our walk with God.

I also want to create a soundtrack to inspire confidence in those who are beginning to step out in faith and break free from whatever is holding them back. I have done this with one of my latest songs In the Light, where I pray for the listeners for God’s goodness to go before them, and for them to remember that God loves them so when they look in the mirror, they can remember that they’re blessed.

I’ve recently incorporated some of my other passions as well, such as dancing and fashion, which you can see in my new music videos.

QUESTION #5: BOOST

Cashiers, CEOs, contractors, or customer service reps, we all need grace flowing into us and back out into the world. How does the Holy Spirit invigorate your work? And how do you know it’s God when it happens?

I’ve started keeping a diary to keep track of hearing God’s voice in the everyday, mundane moments. The Holy Spirit inspires my whole life, and I have a desire to put everyday moments into my music.

To pull in those mundane moments whenever I write songs, I now go to my diary, where I keep track of how the Holy Spirit talks to me throughout the day. I often hear the Holy Spirit when I get inspiration for a new song to write. And my journal also helps me remember the things that the Holy Spirit has taught me throughout the week.

It’s beautiful to see the aftermath. I often receive letters from my supporters who talk about how my songs have helped them at a specific moment in their lives. One thing I regularly hear is that many people who are interested in becoming Christians share that my music helped them on that journey. They enjoy how I speak biblical truth while also keeping the quality high.

I’ve also seen the Holy Spirit work through a supporter who was in the hospital. She shared with me that she had memory loss. However, she could remember the lyrics to my songs. My music helped her remember the Word of God despite her not being able to remember anything else during her recovery. The Holy Spirit is beautiful, and I’m glad that he guides me in my music.

QUESTION #6: inspire

Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied habits that open our hearts to the presence of God. So let us in. Which spiritual practice is working best for you right now?

Mid-morning Bible reading has been working the best for me. Early in the morning, I’m usually too tired to process what I’m reading, and nighttime is just a setup to fall asleep. I also see the importance of starting my day off with God, so I don’t want to get too far into my day without reading the Word. So what I’ve started to do is place my iPad on my desk and head to my office after my basic morning tasks like showering and eating but before major tasks like working. This way, I’m awake and mentally alert, but I haven’t gotten into work mode yet.

This routine allows me to start my day with God and still be awake to process what I’m reading. I’ve found that this helps me read for longer amounts of time, have fun doing it, and really study the Scriptures. I enjoy these moments because God will often open my eyes to new things in the Word. I also enjoy it because then it becomes natural to share what I read when people ask what I’ve been up to.

QUESTION #7: FOCUS

Looking backward, considering the full sweep of your unique faith journey and all you encountered along the way, what top-three resources stand out to you? What changed the game and changed your heart?

I would say music, YouTube and small groups changed the game for me in my faith walk.

Music was instrumental for me because it played a role in my discipleship. Christian rap introduced me to a lot of principles, various Scriptures and the Christian lifestyle.

I started my faith journey young when many teenagers weren’t trying to pursue God. Along with this, I had a family that was partly Muslim with a parent who discouraged me from pursuing Jesus. At moments when I had no one to encourage me in my walk, I listened to music and it felt like I had other believers there to encourage me.

YouTube was also very useful because there was a time when I wasn’t allowed to go to church. During this time, YouTube was amazing because I was able to listen to sermons. I’ve also been able to find other Christian creatives to encourage me in my walk on the platform.

Lastly, small groups were very transformational for me because they allowed me to really do life with people. I have so many stories from high school in the beginning stages of my walk with God to post-college when I moved to a new state. In the small group setting, I was able to meet friends who encouraged me in my walk, prayed for me and were exactly what I needed in that particular season to grow as a person and as a Christian.

We all have things we cling to to survive (or even thrive) in tough times — times like these! Name one resource you’re savoring and/or finding indispensable in this current season, and tell us what it’s doing for you.

Immersing myself in the realm of Christian rap and R&B has been a transformative journey, shaping not only my musical preferences but also the core of my identity as a Christian rap artist. The fusion of faith and rhythm has become a powerful force, a soundtrack that resonates with the depths of my spirituality.

Diving into Christian rap and R&B has been a game-changer for me. It’s not just music; it’s like having a conversation with God set to a dope beat. As a Christian rap artist, music has become the backdrop of my life, constantly reminding me of God’s truths and lifting me up when I need it most.

This genre isn’t just about catchy beats; the lyrics hit you right in the soul, infused with messages that speak to your faith. It’s like having a personal encourager in your ear — but with musical talent.

I even have playlists on my website omgitswande.com. It’s my way of saying, “Hey, check out these tracks that have been my go-to in my walk with God.” Maybe those songs will hit someone else the way they hit me.

Being a Christian rap artist isn’t just about looking cool; it’s my way of sharing the Good News and powerful messages that Christ has brought into my life. It’s a creative mission to spread the Word of God and faith through beats and rhymes.

The beats and rhymes have been more than just sounds for me; they’ve been the soundtrack to a deeper connection with faith.

QUESTION #8: dream

God is continually stirring new things in each of us. So give us the scoop! What’s beginning to stir in you but not yet fully awakened? What can we expect from you in the future?

Creating this album is like baring my soul about the crazy rollercoaster year I just survived. It was tough mentally and physically, but I’ve come out on the other side with a bunch of lessons from God. Now, I’m turning those experiences into songs that tell the story of my struggles and victories.

It’s kind of nerve-wracking because I’m laying it all out there, being real about what went down. But you know what? I believe in the power of vulnerability. I’ve been through a lot, and if my story can lift up someone else, then it’s all worth it.

I’m excited for people to hear the music — it’s not just about the beats; it’s about encouraging my brothers and sisters in Christ. I hope my journey becomes a source of encouragement for others who might be facing battles of their own.

There’s something special about putting my experiences into songs. It’s like turning pain into power, you know? I’m excited to see how God works through this album, touching hearts and bringing some breakthrough moments for those who give it a listen. It’s lit!

Earlier in her interview, Wande described her struggles with people-pleasing. She said:

“People-pleasing is one of the most hidden forms of kryptonite because no one knows about it but you.”

It’s true! And while desiring to serve others is good and biblical, research shows that when you’re driven by people-pleasing, you’re at higher risk of burnout.

So what’s the difference? Harvard-trained clinical psychologist Debbie Sorensen says it’s all about boundaries. Not having proper boundaries in place makes it hard to say “no” — and leads to resentment for every “yes.”

For self-reflection: What would it look like to replace people-pleasing with Christ-like love as your motivation for serving others? What boundaries would you set in place? What things would you say “yes” or “no” to?

Wande