For Steven Hickerson, the message behind his new single, "Free," became personal when he confronted the distance between what he sang onstage and what he carried privately. A New Orleans native, artist, and ministry leader, Hickerson has faithfully served as Minister of Music at Grace Community Christian Church in Kennesaw, Georgia, while taking his music and ministry across the United States and abroad. A member of the multiple Stellar Award-winning group Ricky Dillard & New G., he has performed with CeCe Winans, Fred Hammond, Donald Lawrence, Bishop Paul S. Morton, and John P. Kee, among others, and has also shared the stage with legendary entertainer Barry Manilow. He launched his solo recording career with "Reset" in 2018, followed by "It All Belongs To You" in 2019.
Now, inspired by John 8:36, "Free" pairs a celebratory groove with a message of freedom, healing, identity, and renewed faith. Its official music video, directed and produced by James Jackson of I Sound Music Entertainment, captures that celebratory spirit and encourages listeners to live authentically and embrace freedom in Christ. In this interview, Hickerson opens up about the personal struggles behind the song, the musical experiences that shaped his sound, and the everyday passions that keep him grounded.
Q: For those discovering you for the first time, who is Steven Hickerson, and what do you hope people encounter through your music and ministry?
A: I love God, I'm genuine-hearted, and I'm a lover of music, especially gospel music. I'm a New Orleans native who loves the taste of good, authentic food. I'm Steven. I'm still evolving, but I'm grounded in faith, music, and purpose. I care deeply about connection - real connection - and I'm learning more every day about who I am and what I'm meant to do. I'm honest, I'm loyal, and I'm trying to grow into the best version of myself. I'm not perfect, but I'm intentional. If you really want to know me, you'll see that I'm someone who shows up with heart.
Q: How has your journey from church ministry and Ricky Dillard & New G. to becoming a solo recording artist shaped your identity and sound?
A: I came up in the church, so authenticity is in my DNA. New G taught me how to take that authenticity and elevate it and how to deliver with precision, power, and intention. Now, as a solo artist, I'm blending both worlds. My sound is church‑rooted, choir‑influenced, and uniquely mine. I'm not trying to be the next anybody; instead, I'm building the lane God gave me.
Q: Your new single, "Free," is inspired by John 8:36. What was happening in your life when its message of freedom became especially meaningful?
A: The song "Free" came out of a season where I had to face myself - not the version of me people saw on stage, but the version carrying weight, expectations, and quiet battles. John 8:36 hit me differently because I realized I was singing about freedom while still holding onto things God had already released me from.
I was dealing with pressure, identity, and the fear of stepping fully into who God called me to be. In that moment, the scripture wasn't just a verse-it was a lifeline. 'Whom the Son sets free is free indeed' reminded me that freedom isn't a feeling; it's a fact, and truth became the heartbeat of the song. I wasn't writing from victory I had already mastered - I was writing from the freedom I was learning to walk in.
Q: You say that freedom includes release from guilt, shame, trauma, abuse, and hypocritical judgment. Which of these struggles do you believe most often prevents Christians from living authentically?
A: Shame buries people the deepest. Guilt says, "I did something wrong. "Shame says, "Something is wrong with me." And when a believer starts to internalize that lie, it becomes almost impossible to show up authentically in church, in relationships, or even in their calling. Shame makes people hide. Shame makes people perform. Shame makes people pretend to be "okay" while they're breaking inside. And the tragedy is that shame often comes from the very places meant to heal us: church hurt, judgment, comparison, unrealistic expectations, or just being told to "push through" instead of being allowed to be human.
Q: "Free" combines a serious spiritual message with an infectious, celebratory groove. How did you develop the song's sound and translate its message visually for the official music video?
A: I wanted the feeling of freedom, so as God downloaded the lyrics in my spirit, he also gave me the beat, sound, feeling, and structure behind the lyrics. The song 'Free" gives me a feeling of riding down I-75 with the sunroof top back and convertible tops down, cruising, watching the night sky light from the illumination of the skyscrapers, with God's wind blowing through your hair, feeling freedom and peace of God.
Q: Away from the stage and recording studio, what is something about Steven Hickerson that might surprise your listeners?
A: Away from music and ministry, I'm an educator who works with children with autism, and that part of my life keeps me grounded, patient, and compassionate.
It reminds me that purpose isn't just something you talk about; it's something you live. I'm a foodie and a cook at heart.
Feeding people is one of my love languages; it's how I show care, comfort, and connection. Whether I'm trying a new restaurant or cooking a meal for family and friends, food is one way I express love. I'm also a car lover.
I appreciate the design, the engineering, and the freedom of a good drive. Cars are my escape, my hobby, and sometimes my therapy. And I love amusement parks, the rides, the adrenaline, the laughter, the memories. Being there with family and close friends reminds me how important it is to enjoy life, not just work through it. So yes, I'm an artist, but I'm also a teacher, a foodie, a cook, a car enthusiast, and someone who loves having good fun with the people closest to me. That balance keeps me human, humble, and inspired.
WATCH THE OFFICIAL MUSIC VIDEO:
Steven Hickerson - "Free" Official Music Video
