BLAZE

A fusion of Paul's earnestness and David's enthusiasm, embodied in a virtuous young woman, is a fitting description of Ashly Miles. Born into a military family in Richmond, VA, Miles—known to many as Blaze—has also called the Carolinas home. As a child, Blaze was forced to grow up quickly, witnessing things at 13 years old that most people only see in the movies--surrounded by drugs and alcohol by way of a family member and friends. "Everyone I was cool with was in some type of pain, so they did drugs, partied, and chased money to forget about it," Blaze recalls. To ensure her safety and well being, Blaze further developed her tough exterior at the expense of experiencing peace and happiness.
But as a teenager, God began drawing her away from self-preservation and towards Him. Blaze remembers feeling God tugging at her heart at 15 and going to church with friends; unfortunately, she resisted the Lord's knocks. The youth pastor of a church in her neighborhood even introduced her to the 116 Clique, but she brushed them off. In spite of her rebellion, God continued to pursue her and as His grace persisted, Blaze's heart was softened, allowing her to build a relationship with a Christian teacher at her school who eventually gave her Lecrae's Real Talk album. After months of listening to the album and mixing it in with her mainstream rap collection, Blaze's eyes and heart were opened to the reality that God would take her as she was.
While she had yet to experience conversion, Blaze's heart was being chiseled, and she was developing a desire for God. The following year, after having performed at a talent show and sharing her newly acquired desire for the first time, Blaze was sitting in a Sunday service when God melted the core of her hardened heart and compelled her to surrender to Christ. Amazed by God's reckless love, Blaze's transformation was immediate, as she spent hours reading scripture and learning of her deliverer. She realized her new life and newfound love didn't mesh with her old life, so she turned her back on the world and found contentment in God.
Since then, Blaze has released her debut album He Reigns and has been hitting stages all over the country offering uninhibited energetic worship and a fresh prospective on the scriptures—all while remaining relevant to today's culture. In recognition of her ministry, Blaze is the recipient of several awards including: the Favorite Gospel Hip Hop Artist Of The Great Northwest Award, Gospel Extravaganza Award, and the ITM Female Hip Hop Artist of the Year Award. Blaze has appeared on TBN, JCTV and Bobby Jones Gospel. She has also acted in Gospel plays, co-hosted a local television show, and is a World Vision Artist Associate.
True to her military roots, Blaze has ministered to the troops on several occasions, She has ministered at Ft. Lee (both at the gospel service and during the Spiritual Fitness Concert Series), Ft. Monroe, and Ft. Eustis. She also ministers at Grace Chapel and at the Annual Freedom Fest, both on Ft. Lewis, with plans to continue her military ministry throughout her career.
Blaze currently resides in Seattle, WA where she attends Christ the King Bible Fellowship serving as the Youth Ambassador. Ultimately, Blaze hopes her listeners realize that there's no life outside of Jesus. She is driven by the truth that the only way to gain life is by surrendering to Christ.