Shelia Moore-Piper: ‘The Love/Soul Session Vol. 1’ Blends Faith and Soul

Music as Ministry

For Shelia Moore-Piper, music is far more than entertainment—it’s a calling. “Music is a ministry, and it is my ministry,” she says. Her catalog carries a universal message of worship, self-love, and hope, delivered through a sound that’s as dynamic as it is heartfelt.

“As an artist I want my music to uplift and inspire. Through the years, the sound of gospel music has evolved to speak to new generations.”

That commitment to evolution is evident in The Love/Soul Session Vol. 1, an EP that weaves gospel, jazz, neo-soul, Hip Hop, and funk into a cohesive message of encouragement and renewal.

Building a Platform for Freedom

In 2004, Shelia and her husband, Glenn “GP” Piper, co-founded Bdm/Ugroove Music, an independent record label and production company designed to expand the reach of her ministry. Since then, she’s released three albums and several award-winning singles, including the fan-favorite “Get Excited” and now her newest body of work.

“I’m glad we have the freedom to create and release what is given. Not many artists have this freedom… for us at Bdm/Ugroove Music; it works.”

This independence allows Shelia to stay true to her vision, creating songs that resonate with both faith-based and mainstream audiences.

A Sound Without Borders

Even with her roots in Christian Soul, Shelia’s sound reflects a lifetime of listening to diverse genres.

“I grew up on all types of different music,” she says. “I’m not stuck in a box, but I love the Lord, so every song He gives comes together and fits.”

That genre-blending approach birthed the lead single Love Is A Beautiful Thing, a track originally written for a wedding years ago. After encouragement from her husband, Shelia recorded and released it—earning chart placements on Smooth Jazz and Soul radio and a partnership with Smooth Jazz Global.

Collaboration in Life and in the Studio

Glenn “GP” Piper’s role as producer brings a unique dynamic to Shelia’s work. “My hubby adds a different flavor… not over-singing a song, giving it what it needs, remembering to tell a story,” she explains. “If it works for us and if God allows it, then it’s a go.”

Together, they shape songs like “Better Days” and “In Time,” both carrying messages of perseverance and divine timing. “Things we go through are seasonal, but joy is fruit that can carry you through… He’s an on-time God so we need to be aligned always with His timing, not ours.”

Standing Out in Modern Gospel

Shelia embraces her distinct place in today’s gospel and soul landscape. “I am unique… the music I do is very different, but it is also effective.” For her, impact matters more than fitting into a trend, and her supporters have responded with unwavering loyalty.

When listeners finish The Love/Soul Session Vol. 1, she hopes they feel both spiritually uplifted and emotionally renewed. “Don’t give up! Success is not a destination; it’s a journey.”

Looking Forward

From her debut Tha Story Told Twice to her current work, Shelia credits experience as her greatest teacher.

“We never arrive, but we get stronger and stronger every day.”

The Hype Magazine got Sheila to weigh in more in depth on a few things…check out the full interview below!

Your latest EP, The Love/Soul Session Vol. 1, beautifully blends genres like Jazz, Hip-Hop, Neo-Soul, and Gospel. What inspired the soundscape of this project, and how did you ensure each track stayed true to your message of worship, self-love, and hope?

Thank you! Even though I am a Christian Soul Artist, I grew up on all types of different genres of Music! So; I love blending different sounds and genres to create and build melodies the Lord allows. I am NOT stuck in a box, but I love the LORD, so every song he gives comes together and fits! I am glad to be able to share experiences of the songs off this EP (some were written years ago) and some of the songs were written maybe a year before the EP came out, but in the end it came together to bless people and that’s the goal!

The single “Love Is A Beautiful Thing” has already made a mark on Smooth Jazz and Soul charts. What was the creative process behind this track, and why did you choose it as the lead single?

The LORD gave me this song to write years ago! I sang it at my sister-friend’s wedding. The people loved it and every time a wedding or an anniversary came up in her family; I was asked to sing it. Around 2021 my husband said to me I needed to record it. So, I changed a few words, recorded it and we released it as a single. I was a little worried about how it would be perceived since I love high energy tracks, but the public loved it and Smooth Jazz Global reached out to us about partnering with them to make it pop world-wide and the rest is history! We made the right choice! Yay!!

As a multi-award-winning Christian Soul artist and co-founder of Bdm/Ugroove Music, how does your role as a label owner influence the creative freedom in your music?

I am glad we have the freedom to create and release what is given. I wanted to be on a Major label but realizing we can do what we want when we want sounded like a NICE way to be your own boss with creative freedom. Not many artists have this freedom. They are in contractual agreements that may or may not be the best but for us at Bdm/Ugroove music; it works.

You’ve spoken about music being your ministry. How do you balance spiritual messaging with mainstream musical elements to connect with both faith-based and general audiences?

It’s a God thing! Staying relevant to what’s needed at the time. It’s not just about me! Others need the love of God too and it’s our job to make sure we stay relevant and appeal to audiences of all genres and not be stuck in a box. I always say, “We can’t do in 2025 what we did in 2015”. We must be open and willing to reach people that may not like your genre but can cross over if a song they like touches them! Jesus knows what you like, and he will give the song needed at the time to bless you regardless of a genre! Evolving is very relevant now!

Your husband, Glenn ‘GP’ Piper, plays a key role in your music as both producer and collaborator. Can you share what that dynamic looks like creatively and personally when working on a project like this one?

We both are producers in our own right, but my hubby adds a different flavor as a producer that helps me to make the song pop. Such as: not over-singing a song, giving it what it needs, remembering telling a story not just vocalizing. It’s gonna go over, but it starts with us. If it works for us and if GOD allows it, then it’s a go. I really love working with my husband in the lab. We work well together!!

Tracks like “Better Days” and “In Time” carry strong emotional resonance. Are there specific life experiences that shaped the lyrics or melodies of these songs?

My husband wrote this song and when I first heard it; I didn’t care for it. I recorded it after praying about it! I realized people need to hear it because; we all go through things that seemed like it will last forever but it doesn’t. In the book of Psalms 30 it says: “Weeping may endure for a night; but joy comes in the morning.” Things we go through are seasonal, but joy is fruit that can carry you through it and bring you out to the other side of “Better Days”. In Time was a song the LORD gave me years ago and it was fitted for this EP.  Things don’t always happen right away; sometimes they happen “In Time” Trust God to make whatever you are believing for to happen when it is supposed to not actually when you want to. I was told years ago that you have chapters in your life. It’s important that you are not out of sync with when what happens, not too soon and not too late but right on time! He’s on time God so we need to be aligned always with his timing not ours!

Over the years, gospel music has evolved significantly. How do you feel your music contributes to or stands apart from the modern gospel and soul landscape?

I am Unique! So, what God gives me to sing may be different from other artists but that’s what makes us different. Whomever it is for to listen to; that’s who it’s for. The music I do is very different, but it is also effective! Praise God I have a lane that works for me and the people who listen love it. I thank the many supporters out there for rocking with me and loving it too.

What do you want listeners to walk away with after hearing The Love/Soul Session Vol. 1 — both emotionally and spiritually?

I want them to walk away with a sense of renewal and knowing with GOD on their side, they too can make it. Don’t give up! “Success is not a destination; it’s a journey”.  I hope this EP will also give hope and speak to people that are hurting and let them know they can continue to journey on despite what’s going on and they will eventually be in a better place emotionally and spiritually!

From your debut album Tha Story Told Twice to this new release, how do you feel you’ve grown as an artist and a woman in music ministry?

Whew! Experience is a great teacher! It doesn’t hurt to evolve, but sometimes you need experiences to help you. Glad I have/had those to help me. We never arrived but, we get stronger and stronger every day!

What’s next for you following this EP? Can fans expect a volume two or a tour supporting The Love/Soul Session project in the near future?

Yes; I’m currently working on a new single for Volume 2 of The Love/ Soul Session that we will release soon as well as other things on the horizon that God is doing! Stay tuned! Appreciate all the love and support!! Blessings be upon each of you!

“Stay tuned! Appreciate all the love and support. Blessings be upon each of you!”