Meet Erika Gamble | Lead Vocalist of The Vibes

We had the good fortune of connecting with Erika Gamble and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Erika, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?

Inspired by legendary artists like Etta James, Chaka Khan and Aretha Franklin, Gamble has always kept a positive attitude and has never taken ‘no’ as a final answer. The Goddess strives for greatness, pushing herself beyond thinkable limits, and always keeps in the back of her mind that with great struggle, she will gain great success in uncommon hours. Born Erika Danielle Gamble in Chicago, IL at Northwestern Hospital on January 14th, 1991, changed everyone’s energy. Gamble comes from a musical family. Gambles, Father was the lead vocalist to his band called Dice, back in the early 1980’s. During his musical career he had the opportunity to open for Legends such as Prince, and signed a recording deal to Warner Brothers. But by the time Gamble was born her father’s music career became a hobby, and training for Gamble growing up. At the age of 4 Gamble had the opportunity to sing tunes from The Lion King at her Father’s University Alumni Banquet. From there the music sparked a flame in young Gamble’s heart that she was a songbird that needed to break free out of her own cage. While living in Chicago, Gamble’s Father would host fashion shows of which Gamble and eldest sister Giovanna James would sing together. By 1998, young Gamble and her family made their way to San Leandro, CA where both of her parents started a family business that landed them a healthy 2-year contract. During the family’s stay in California, Gamble sang in the children’s choir, her Father in Men’s Chorus and eldest sister sang in the young adult choir at Allen Temple Baptist church on International Blvd in Oakland, CA. Once the contract ran out, the family moved to Dallas Texas where Gamble sang with a host of school choirs and church choirs. In 2004, the family moved back to California where Gamble had the opportunity to sing with Lenny Williams of The Tower of Power by the age of 13. But that didn’t land Gamble where she is today. It has been nothing but drive, dedication, staying humble and pushing herself when no one would show up, when it was “just her” in the zone, that made it very clear that Gamble is ready to make her BIG BREAK!

“Everything is a stepping stone and I am taking LARGE baby steps. I went from being a solo artist to now having a team of 4 to ride this wave to victory. Walking in your purpose definitely allows an overflow of countless blessings to be given unto you. The power of networking to our net worth is truly REAL!”
-Erika D. Gamble

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?

I am the lead vocalist of The Vibez, currently we are a 4-piece band that is still taking auditions to join. I started out as a solo artist, plugging and playing. Over the course of 8 years in the industry I haven’t stayed consistent to make my big break, until 2019. My Mother set up a studio session with singer/songwriter engineer Kaleb Gary; where we both wrote what was called “Man of The House”. Since then, the name has changed due to suggestions by Candace Gittens. Song now called “I’ll Be” is still getting the attention of music listeners and setting the tone for my musical career. The idea of a band always set in the back of mind, but I never jumped in. Over trial and error, I brought in my co-worker Julian Means from Starbucks to sing backup and met keyboard player Darius Lovelace from a prior band set up. We all came together and branched off and now we are under the direction of my Father Fredrick Gamble, Legend lead vocalist of the band called “Dice”.

Most recent addition to the band is my business partner Suchet P. Louis. The CEO of Laced Fashions and Footwear joined the musical journey as the band’s drummer. We are currently preparing a 10-song set for upcoming bookings for October 2021 and beyond.

Bookings can be made via email:

BookTheVibez@Gmail.com

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
To start your morning off right you have to drop by my cousin’s Soul Kitchen! @SouthernQueenZ_ is the place to get your favorite southern cuisine and the drinks will never fail you. Looking to set trends? After you have dined at the finest in the ATL head north towards Lawrenceville, GA.  Where you can find the latest sports gear only at Laced Fashions and Footwear. Laced is about leadership, achieving your goals through consistency, excellence and dedication. When you’re wearing Laced Gear you walk differently, because it’s more than a brand it’s a lifestyle. Then once you have shopped until you’ve dropped, head downtown to catch a vibe at Escobar Seafood Bar and Grill on Edgewood Ave owned by College Park’s well-versed rapper 2 Chainz. It sits close to the Historical MLK museum and home of the late great Pastor/ Activist Dr. Martin Luther King JR. Here is where you and the family will enjoy his hometown and get to see where it all started. To finish the day off, head down to Centennial Park and ride the now classic fairest wheel to catch the stars in the heart of downtown Atlanta.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
We often find ourselves on a Mary-go-round because we keep doing the same thing over and over again, and you would think by now you would have found out that you are your biggest problem, but you are also your only solution. I want to give special thanks to my Parents Yvonne and Fredrick Gamble, for standing by and doing what they can, when they can. I strive to do better to show an example to my amazing son William Elijah Butler, who keeps me on my toes. As I’m learning, he is gaining knowledge of the business to become the next legendary CEO. I want to send gratitude to my band members for their dedication and commitment to the DREAM. Julian Means, Darius Lovelace and Suchet P. Louis, have added so much value to my life and I am proud to be able to be a blessing to them as much as they have been a blessing to me. Others that have helped me along the way, can’t go unnoticed for their support and guidance throughout my journey, @NovaGhost2.0, William G. Butler, Robert “Uno Da Ghost” Harrison, @KayWilliamsPR, @DoraWhittley, @BeccaChanel AR/PR, @DaRealMontana, @JustRL, @ChanitaFoster, @Lenahuggs, @RayLavender, @LaDasha_Diamond_Speaks, @WillWellPut, @ProofeThePrince, @ChrisColeATL, @EdotRocks, @1055TheKing, @Lady_Falanna, @TakeOffATL, @Neemoneemo, @Escoseafood, @outlawstudio1, @newfameent, @TheBetterVizion, @JayRedtheShooter @echophotographix, and @khicktraxproductions.

Website: www.iamErikaGamble.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iamerikagamble/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100068759084138

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCauQ9lfMb_RlPjjfSAySCfw

Image Credits
Julian “@Hat2DaBack_J” Means (Background Vocalist of The Vibes) Darius “@Eighty_Eight_Keys” LoveLace (Piano Player of The Vibes) Suchet Pierre “@LacedFashions” Louis (Drummer Player of The Vibes) Earl “@E.DotRocks” Hackney (Producer of “YOU” FT Llyod) Christian “@ChristainNelsonMusic” Nelson (SInger/Songwriter, CEO of Salute) (Red Suit with Cassette Tape Purse) Fashions by @SewCandyLLC