Today we’d like to introduce you to A.p. Hardaway And Abriel Hardaway
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Growing up with Pastors as parents, we only had so many things we were allowed to do. We all played basketball along with other hobbies, but the one constant in our home was music. Our mother sang, and still does a little today, but our late father, is the biggest influence on the things we are involved in to this day. He was a singer, songwriter, arranger and musician who passionately exposed us to the gift of music and art of worship. Every week we were in church multiple days outside of typical Sunday mornings. He preached the word of god as well as played the Hammond organ during worship. He was a p.e. teacher vocationally for most of his career, well over 20 years.
Once my sisters and I became of age, and old enough to hold a tune well enough, we were encouraged, but more so passionately compelled into singing and using the talent God had gifted us with. My brothers both played the drums – that’s where A.P. got his start in music. Music workshops, music award shows, and live recordings were all events we were exposed to as young children, not even realizing how they would impact us and come full circle later in our lives.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The greatest obstacle we would face came on March 22nd of 2015. The loss of our biggest influence who had helped strengthen our musical gifts, carried us through our childhoods, and introduced us, along with our mother, to the One from whom we’d received our gifts. I remember for weeks just seeming to be in a daze and not being able to understand how God would give us someone who saw something in us that we didn’t see, only to take him away when we really began to pursue music in our early adulthood years. The challenge would be finishing what he started in his absence. In 2017, we as a family, were able to release our father’s album that he had begun before his passing: Minister A Pervice Hardaway and the Voices of Victory – Bread of Heaven. Produced by A.P. Hardaway and featuring my sisters and I as soloists along with various other members of my late father’s choir. It’s still my favorite gospel album. My sisters and I, also known by our group name “Heiress,” also released “You Are Alive” written by our sister Ashley Hardaway-Espey in 2019.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
Today, my brother and I can be found serving and ministering together every Sunday. I assist as Worship Leader alongside him as he serves as Music Director in the city of Knoxville, TN. His music abilities have afforded him the opportunity to travel the U.S. for over 10 years with various artists on different stages along with countless other experiences. He has helped to mastermind my very first single set to be released this Fall entitled “That’s Just Like Jesus,” which is a spin off of and samples the title cut from my fathers very first live recorded album from 1983. Never would we have imagined the opportunities presented as a result of our earthly father’s influence and our Heavenly Father’s inheritance. We are truly seeds of Abraham and are humbled and grateful to continue this journey in the world of music as God continues to get glory out of our lives.
What was your favorite childhood memory?
One childhood memory of ours was visiting Celebration Station as a family. We never went without sharing beautiful experiences growing up and thankfully, that has allowed us and the rest of our family to remain close throughout the years.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://bio.site/abrielprincess
- Instagram: @abrielprincess_
- Facebook: Abriel Princess Hardaway
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@abrielprincessmusic?si=YrQcblxiWxESqMUH
