From singing in church choirs in Philadelphia to sharing the stage with legendary performers and appearing in the background on Saturday Night Live, Shafiq Lamar Hicks journey has been shaped by talent, unexpected opportunities, and a deep-rooted connection to music.
Now, the 28-year-old performer is bringing his talents to the national tour of The Book of Mormon, which will run at the Cadillac Palace Theatre from October 23 to November 1 taking on a character that challenges him to explore a different side of his artistry.
Born and raised in Philadelphia, Hicks discovered his musical abilities early on. His grandmother recognized his gift for matching pitch, introducing him to church choirs, setting the foundation for a career he would eventually embrace despite initially trying to pursue a different path.
After moving to New York, Hicks continued building his career, performing alongside acclaimed artists including Aretha Franklin and Sam Smith. His experiences have taken him from memorable musical collaborations to the Broadway touring stage, where he continues to grow as both a vocalist and actor.
Hicks recently spoke with The Chicago Defender about his Philadelphia upbringing, his experiences performing with music icons, his role in The Book of Mormon, and his plans to release original music while helping others discover their voices.
Finding His Voice in Philadelphia
Marshelle Sanders: You were born and raised in Philadelphia. Can you talk about your upbringing and how you first got into performing?
Shafiq Hicks: My grandmother heard that I could match pitch, so she had me singing in church choirs. After a while, I was low-key sick of singing (laughs).
I applied to an arts school, specifically for its theater program. The theater program had no room, so I thought, “Okay, fine, I guess I’ll sing.”
It ended up being the best decision I’ve made in my entire life. It exposed me to so many genres of music and different types of voices. Those experiences really became the stepping stones of my career.
I later attended Temple University in Philadelphia. While I was there, I auditioned for a show on a whim. I didn’t book that production, but the same cast and director reached out to me about another show: Rent. I ended up booking the tour, and I’ve been doing this ever since.
M.S.: It sounds like you tried to get away from singing, but the music kept calling you back. Looking back, do you feel like it was always meant to be?
S.H.: Absolutely. I think the Black church is actually a conservatory. When you spend 10 to 15 years in that environment, it can become draining.
But I wasn’t necessarily walking away from the foundation. I was stepping away from the experience of singing in church and everything that came with it. Eventually, finding my way back to music awakened my appreciation for the whole experience. I’m now grateful for those experiences from my youth.
Sharing the Stage with Music Legends
M.S.: You’ve had some incredible collaborations throughout your career, including opportunities connected to Estelle, Andrea Bocelli, Aretha Franklin, and Sam Smith on NBC’s Saturday Night Live. Tell us about those experiences and what it was like to share the stage with such accomplished artists.
S.H.: During my junior and senior years of high school and into college, I connected with a really wonderful person named Dr. Donald Thompson. Shout-out to him in Philly! He’s one of the area’s premier choral conductors and organists, and he put me in all these different ensembles.
I met Estelle at a high school event. We sang a tribute to Jon Bon Jovi as he received the Marian Anderson Award.
I met Aretha Franklin and Andrea Bocelli when they visited Philadelphia for a papal visit. They were putting together a concert for the Pope, and several celebrities were involved.
One of those celebrities was Aretha Franklin. That was magical because I had adored her for as long as I could remember singing.
We all know the famous story of Aretha walking onstage with her purse, taking off her fur coat and placing everything on the piano. We actually got to see that happen!
Taking on a Different Role in ‘The Book of Mormon’
M.S.: Let’s talk about The Book of Mormon. For people who may not be familiar with the production, can you tell us about the show and the character you play?
S.H.: The Book of Mormon is about two Mormon missionaries who are stationed in a remote village in Uganda. They go there to spread the gospel, but the villagers have their own concerns, and hilarity ensues.
I play the General, essentially the show’s warlord and villain. He has a pretty funny story arc, but you’ll have to come see the show to find out more!
M.S.: You mentioned that you’re playing a villain. What was the preparation process like, especially as someone whose background is so strongly rooted in singing? Was this one of your first villain roles?
S.H.: I haven’t played a villain since probably high school. The only other villain I remember playing was Gaston in Beauty and the Beast. Otherwise, I’ve generally played leads and romantic roles.
Stepping into my villain bag, if you will, was definitely challenging. In the musicals I usually do, I get to hide behind a song or move somebody with my voice. In this production, I don’t sing very much. I have a few musical lines, but it’s primarily an acting role.
Coming into it with relatively little knowledge meant I had a lot to learn about the story, the characters, and the show’s background.
My character is based on a real person, and as you learn more about his life and see the trajectory of his story, it’s fascinating. Understanding that history and figuring out how to apply it to the role have been important parts of my preparation.
I also have to work on the Ugandan accent. The production provides guides and recordings of certain lines, but I’ll often go to YouTube before a performance and listen to people speaking so I can get the words and sounds into my ear.
I want to approach the character as authentically as possible, and that takes preparation.
Beyond the Stage: Teaching Voice and Creating Original Music
M.S.: After the national tour, what’s next for you? Are you preparing for any new projects in 2027, or is there anything you want audiences to know about?
S.H.: First and foremost, come see the show!
Secondly, I’m a voice teacher. If you’re looking for voice lessons or trying to find your voice, I can definitely help.
My studio is called Vocal Journeys, with the tagline “Finding the You in Your Voice.” I run the studio, and people can find me on Instagram at Vocal Journeys.
I’m also working on some original music, which I’ve never released before, so stay tuned for that.
Now, as he balances his work onstage with teaching and developing original music, Hicks is opening the door to the next chapter of his career, one that lets him share his voice in more ways than one.
For more information on The Book of Mormon, visit Broadway In Chicago
The production runs through November 1, 2026, at the Cadillac Palace Theatre, 151 W. Randolph St., Chicago.
Follow Shafiq Lamar Hicks on Instagram at @shafiqlamarr and learn more about his vocal coaching studio, Vocal Journeys, at @vocal.journeys
