After years of faithfully serving as a worship leader and pastor in Atlanta, gospel artist LaShá Knox is experiencing a breakthrough season. Her powerful single "Right There," featuring acclaimed gospel vocalist Earnest Pugh, recently earned a place in Billboard's Gospel Top 10, introducing a wider audience to a ministry shaped by perseverance, loss, and unwavering faith.
Far more than a chart success, "Right There" is a deeply personal testimony. The song emerged from seasons marked by grief, including the loss of Knox's mother and brother, as well as the ongoing challenge of caring for her husband as he battles kidney failure. Through those difficult experiences, Knox says she discovered a profound truth: even in moments when God seemed silent, He was faithfully present.
That same message of hope, endurance, and divine faithfulness forms the foundation of her forthcoming album, TESTIFY Vol. 1, a project she describes as "the soundtrack of my survival, my healing, and God's faithfulness." In this exclusive interview, Knox reflects on the journey from local ministry to national recognition, the lessons she learned from collaborating with Earnest Pugh, and why her testimony is far from finished.
Q:You've described "Right There" as a testimony of trusting God's timing. Looking back on your journey from worship leader in Atlanta to breaking into Billboard's Gospel Top 10, what moments most shaped your faith and artistry?
"Honestly, the moments that shaped me most weren't the mountaintop moments-they were the seasons when I couldn't see the promise at all. Before the charts, before the recognition, there were years of serving faithfully, leading worship when life was difficult, walking through loss, disappointment, and seasons that tested everything I believed God had spoken over my life.
Losing loved ones, overcoming personal struggles, and navigating seasons where it felt like doors weren't opening taught me that faith isn't just believing God when things are happening-it's trusting Him when nothing seems to be moving. Those seasons deepened my relationship with God and taught me to depend on His presence more than results.
As an artist, I found that those experiences gave me something authentic to sing about. I'm not just singing lyrics; I'm singing a testimony. 'Right There' was born from the realization that even when I felt forgotten, God was right there-guiding, keeping, and preparing me. So when I look at the journey from leading worship in Atlanta to seeing God open doors into Billboard's Gospel Top 10, I see His faithfulness more than my accomplishments. Every step reminded me that God's timing is perfect, and if you stay faithful to the process, He knows exactly how to bring His promises to pass."
Q: "Right There" has clearly resonated with listeners who are walking through difficult seasons. What personal experiences inspired the emotion and honesty behind the song?
"Right There" was inspired by some of the most difficult seasons of my life. The loss of my Biological mother in 2005, then the loss of my brother in 2008. Losing them was extremely devastating! The people I leaned on the most, the people who supported me the most, the people whom I knew, without a shadow of doubt, loved me unconditionally, were gone. Being a caregiver to my husband, who's battling kidney failure (3 failed kidney transplants), has truly tested my faith.
Q: As both a worship leader and pastor, how do you balance ministry and music, and how does preaching influence the way you approach songwriting?
"I've never viewed ministry and music as two separate things. To me, music is ministry. Whether I'm standing behind a pulpit preaching or standing on a stage singing, my assignment is the same to lead people into the presence of God and point them back to Him.
Being a pastor has taught me that it's not about performance, it's about hosting the Presence of God. The focus is solely on what's needed in the room. I've witnessed individuals walk through grief, disappointment, sickness, and seasons of uncertainty, and those experiences have shaped the way I write.
Q: Working with Earnest Pugh on "Right There" brought together two powerful Gospel voices. What did you learn from collaborating with him, both musically and spiritually?
"Working with 'The Masterful Earnest Pugh' on 'Right There' was truly an honor and a humbling experience. I've admired his ministry for years and studied his vocals, so having the opportunity to share a song with someone I respect so deeply was a dream come true.
Musically, I learned the power of patience, excellence, and allowing a song to breathe. Earnest has a unique ability to communicate emotion and conviction through every note, and watching his approach reminded me that it's not just about singing a song, it's about delivering a message.
Q: Your upcoming album TESTIFY Vol. 1 is being described as deeply personal and rooted in your life story. What themes can listeners expect to hear throughout the project, and what message do you hope they take away from it?
"TESTIFY Vol. 1 is more than an album, it's the soundtrack of my survival, my healing, and God's faithfulness. Throughout this project, listeners will hear themes of perseverance, restoration, promise, victory, and the unwavering presence of God in every season of life.
Every song is rooted in a real experience. There are songs born from moments of pain, loss, uncertainty, and struggle. There are also songs that celebrate breakthrough, fulfillment, and the goodness of God. This project is deeply personal because it tells the story of what God can do with a life that has been broken, surrendered, and rebuilt by His grace.
Q: With your first Billboard Top 10 hit now behind you and TESTIFY Vol. 1 on the horizon, what's next for LaShá Knox creatively, and what kind of music do you hope to release in the future?
I truly believe this is just the beginning of what God is unfolding in my life and ministry. While I'm incredibly grateful for the success of 'Right There' and the journey that has led to TESTIFY Vol. 1, on the Horizon is "TESTIFY Vol 2. "The testimony is too big for just one album
"Right There" is available on all digital streaming platforms. The official music video featuring LaShá Knox and Earnest Pugh is available on YouTube.
