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The story starts the same as many you’ve heard before. Talented kid grows up playing music in church, discovers his passion for writing and creating, and decides music is what he wants to do. But for EMI Gospel artist Aaron Sledge, sprinkled among the typical story elements is an array of life experiences that gave him an early deposit, from which he still finds himself drawing today. Growing up singing in the choir and playing drums at his local Chicago church, it was the faith of his parents that was the grounding force in his life for many years. But when Sledge was in the 8th grade, the realization of the need for his own faith in Christ became very real to him. “I started seeing friends actually die from trying to be in the streets, and it shook me,” he says of this period in his life. “Suddenly, my parents’ faith wasn’t enough, and I found a life in Christ for myself, which was the only place I could find a foundation.” It was around this same time when Sledge began dabbling in writing and producing for local artists and stumbled upon what he knew he was called to do. “I was always into music, but it wasn’t until I began to see my abilities take shape and my ideas come to life while working with other artists that I knew this is what I was here to do,” says Sledge of his musical journey. “Once that happened, I was hooked and haven’t wanted to do anything else since.” Regularly using his musical gifts at church turned out to be the training grounds that would sharpen his skills and prepare him to work with artists that would span from Ramsey Lewis, Smokie Norful and Yolanda Adams to Mario, Tyrese and Nelly. Written out of a variety of personal experiences and life challenges, Sledge believes the songs on his self-titled EMI Gospel debut echo the heart of God to this generation in a sound and language they understand. “God is so much bigger than the boxes we try to put Him into, and in spite of where you are in your life, God is always present in your situation,” says Sledge. “I hope people hear that theme through all the songs on the project.” From a message of perseverance on “Hold On”, a desire to reflect Christ in everyday life on “Closer” and a testimony of repentance and God’s faithfulness on “Da Light”, Sledge’s lyrics resonate with listeners of all ages while the radio-friendly R&B/pop grooves are on par with he contemporary sounds of the day. Two standout cuts on the project are the powerful testimonial ballad “Did It All for Me” and the guitar-laced high-energy lead single “Extra Mile”. While Aaron Sledge’s writing, arranging, producing and performing credentials are already extensive, he knows that he is here simply to be a conduit to draw people to real life in Christ. “I believe that God is using my music to rescue and recover those who are lost, wounded and have exhausted themselves in a search for change,” he says. “I have found my life in Christ, and I hope that is reflected in these songs.”