Tasha Cobbs Replies critics over collaboration with Nicki Minaj (I'm getting Ready To Sing)

GRAMMY Award-winning singer/songwriter, Tasha Cobbs (now Tasha Cobbs Leonard) released her new album Heart. Passion. Pursuit

It is said to be her most ambitious and intimate project yet. Tasha Cobbs Leonard who is one of the most prominent artists in gospel music, her album as expected is done well both on the commercial and critical acclaim front.

Aside from the usual suspects from her genre, she has also enlisted Nicki Minaj on the song ‘I’m Getting Ready’ which has sparked up a lot of interest both good and bad.

"That was one of the most special parts because I have a huge heart for worship leaders and leaders of our generation around the world and to see so many of us come together was amazing. Everybody’s personality just kind of meshed. You had strong leaders all in one room and there was no confusion or conflict. It was just amazing,” Tasha Cobbs Leonard told ESSENCE.

“We did it live in the studio. Including the band and worship leaders, there were maybe 30 people in the room. We were the singers and we were the audience. It feels very intimate when you listen to it. I’m so used singing in front of an audience and it was such a stretch, but my husband was so great throughout this process. He just told me to do it just like you would in a crowd.”

The album features Pastor William Murphy on “Forever at Your Feet,” and Christian artist Jimi Cravity on “You Know My Name.” She also partnered up with her good friend and fellow gospel maven Kierra Sheard, for “Your Spirit,” a song Leonard wrote with Kim Walker, Matt Redman, and Jonas Myrin. “The Bible talks about iron sharpening iron. Kierra’s definitely one of my iron sharpeners and our friendship comes through on these songs. You put us behind a mic together and there’s a chemistry we can’t explain.”

With all the good vibes which is evident throughout the entire album, much of the attention has been focused on “I’m Getting Ready,” her collaboration with Nicki Minaj.

Gospel fans and Christian leaders have publically criticized her choice to feature the rap artist on her album. While Leonard has decided not to address specific dissent publically, she stands by her decision to feature Minaj on the album.

"I’ve seen the Nicki that is off the stage and that Nicki has a great relationship with God,” Cobbs Leonard said. “My assignment with this song was for a particular audience. Some [of the listeners] have never experienced God ever and she exposed that audience in her way, to the God that she loves.”

“The testimonies that have come because of this —I would absolutely do it again. I’ve had thousands of people say to me ‘This is the first time I’ve ever bought a gospel album. This is first time I’ve ever felt God. I didn’t believe in God until I heard this song.’”

“This is not an assignment that man gave to me. This is an assignment that God gave to me, and He prepared the way for me, as only God could,” she added.

She also said in an interview with billboard "I knew there would be a reaction. I knew that some would agree, and some would not agree, and I believe I'm perfectly fit for that. I always tell people, "There are more people that are for us than are against us." There will always be people who don't understand, and that happens. We're forever evolving, and sometimes people will fight change, but I know that this is something we both had to do, and it gave her an opportunity to share her heart and her story on a different platform. She's said that several times -- in a post the other day, saying, "This is the first time I've been on the gospel chart." She came from a Christian home, and I think this has given her an opportunity to share her testimony. It's been great just to read people's comments that say, "Hey, this song has really been blessing me this week," or "This is the only thing I've been listening to this week." Just to see those comments is huge for me. Everybody can relate to it. It speaks hope, and I believe our world just absolutely needs that. "I'm getting ready to see something I've never seen."

Billboard interview

In addition to celebrating her album release, Leonard is also prepping for a tour. She will be making stops at intimate venues like BB Kings in New York and Howard Theatre in DC, and has plans for larger venues in cities across the nation.

“It is absolutely the joy of my life to be on stage in worship.” She said.

You can purchase Heart. Passion. Pursuit. on Itunes.