Color change text by shape underneath

So text and shape are the same color?

Does it need to be white? Or would it OK to be invisible, so that there is just the background?

In that case: Select text and shape and open the pathfinder panel. Press Alt and in the top row click on Intersect.

This will create a compound shape. It will only work if the text doesn't still have an envelope applied. Envelope effect should work though.

jj,

If you actually wish to have the background show through, and presuming it is live Type of a Group or a Compound Path and fully black, you can:

1) Copy the text ACE OF SPADES to the front;

2) Copy the spade shape to the front;

Now you have, from the front: shape/text/text/shape;

3) Select the lower text/shape and Make (Opacity) Mask with both Clip and Invert Mask unticked (Transparency panel), then lock that Mask;

4) Select the upper shape/text and Make (Opacity) Mask with both Clip and Invert Mask unticked (Transparency panel);

5) Unlock the lower Mask.

I believe it could look better to have the pale part of the letters match the background colour, rather than being white. The background could (also) be white.

sorry, this is image