Hattie C. Best
Photography by: Niada Dougall Make-up by: Linda Dupree for M.A.C. Cosmetics
Biography
It's a family thing", states Hattie as she explains her emergence from a recent music hiatus. "Life is all about taking care of first things first. I never want to chose between music and family, so I decided to put family first. Now that my children are older, I can pursue my dream with a clear conscience."
Hattie's dream began long ago. Born Hattie L. Cooper in Stamford, Connecticut, this multi-talented musician discovered her gift at a very early age. She sang in the church choir as a child. By grade school, she was leading the young adult chorus and receiving formal instruction in piano and flute. As high school brought on experiences of love, she wrote songs about it. Before graduating, she won the Talent competition in the "Miss Connecticut Teenager Pageant" playing the piano and singing an original song. While attending Howard University's School of Business, Hattie worked as lead vocalist for a local Washington, D.C. Studio. It was during this time that she developed a love for recording. A computer science major, Hattie quickly picked up on studio production and the technical side of music making. "I dreamed of the day that I would make my mark on the industry", she recalls. But, back then, Hattie had an even bigger passion...starting a family. "I knew that there was an age issue in the industry, and that concerned me," she states. "But, I knew that there was an even bigger age issue when it came to starting a family. I stepped out on faith and followed my heart. Music would just have to wait." After graduating from Howard University with a degree in Business, she married her childhood sweetheart and started a family.
As time went on, the passion for Hattie's first love continued to burn. She laments, "Being a mother and wife allowed me to grow as an artist. It provided a new creative source to draw from ... new inspiration. I used to create lullabies as I sang my children to sleep. Now, I'm teaching them to write, play and sing. Most importantly, I've grown spiritually. I've never been more fulfilled. I'm like this totally different person, walking in this awesome, new light."
Today, Hattie is back on top, and is more driven than ever. In 1999, Hattie opened Nu-Lite Christian Entertainment, a home-based studio and vehicle through which she manages a singing group and markets her own material. She also works as a freelance writer, and performs at wedding and other special events around the country. Recently, Hattie served as a member of C.O.R.E., a song-writing team initiated by nationally known play write, Michael Matthews. "I want to be an example to women of all walks of life." Hattie insists. "I want them to know that your gifts will make room for you, no matter what 'man' or 'industry' says. As women of God, we must put family first. God will preserve our gifts until our seasons have arrived. Until then, everything else can and must wait. I can now freely share my gift with the world, knowing that I've taken care of home."
Email Hattie at hattie@nulite-music.com