VaShawn Mitchell Releasing Ninth Album 'Elements'
Hailed as Gospel music’s connector, VaShawn Mitchell is releasing his ninth album 'Elements'. He has spent a career being the plug for established and emerging artists, the real energetic, creative source for artists both as a writer, and producer all while charting a path of his own as an exceptional talent.
Combining impassioned lyrics, and stellar musicianship, VaShawn Mitchell has cultivated a hallmark sound that has always been and continues to be affirming, inspiring and produces power-filled songs. It’s these attributes that endure on ELEMENTS, Mitchell’s first full project in three years.
Born in Harvey, Illinois well regarded as the ‘birthplace of Gospel music,’ the imprint of Chicago is clear throughout Mitchell’s life and music. “God has allowed me to go on a musical journey from the choir director and teacher, to writing music and writing for other artists and working behind the scenes,” he said. “That was all training ground for what I experience today. From the choir to praise and worship, to traveling the world internationally, it has definitely been a huge journey. I attribute the process to God … He has allowed me to see everything, experience everything, and grow from everything I’ve been through to this moment.”
Mitchell’s music has evolved, and it was his career-defining hit, “Nobody Greater,” that gave him not only his most significant hit but the vision for reach beyond the walls of the church. It is ELEMENTS that offers a culmination of the full breadth of his 20-year career with a fusion of pop, rock, gospel, and the signature Chicago gospel sound that has defined him.
The multiple Grammy, Dove & Stellar Award winner and nominee said, “I was looking back at the twenty years, and thinking about my start in music, and what I’ve accomplished. I realize there are specific elements in life and elements of God that allowed me to get to where I am.” “I purposely want to write music regarding my personal story, and how God used elements like fire, wind and rain to speak to me at times in my life that needed to be spoken to.”
ELEMENTS presents listeners with captivating, high-energy, and creative songs that point to God’s omnipotence. From the standout singles “God Can Do Anything,” “Wind of God,” and “Anything Is Possible,” to “Oh My God,” “My Praise,” “In Control,” the songs weave together the overall message of God’s unending, and limitless reach.
“When I talk about ‘elements’ most people think of the periodical chart or nature, or things of that sort … I think of the elements of life �" like depression or joy, or rejection or love … the ups and downs of life,” explained VaShawn. “So over the last 20 years, those elements have played a big part in my development personally and musically. But it is also GOD’s elements that He sends. The wind to move a situation; the fire to purify; the water to cleanse … so when you listen to every song, it incorporates all of that together.”
Driving home the theme of God’s ultimate power, the 13-track project kicks off in high gear with “Anything Is Possible,” a signature call and response track, ideally suited for today’s praise & worship teams. “It proclaims the total message of the project … The POWER of God. We should praise God at all times, understanding that with Him, anything IS possible.”
Other noteworthy highlights include the deeply personal “In Control,” and CCM leaning “Oh My God.” Written by Curtis Glenn & Freedom Movement, Mitchell heard this song and thought about how often we say or hear the phrase ‘oh my God.’ “This song makes me think about how God surprises us … you know when we need Him to step in, and He does!” The song features Khaya Mthethwa, one of South Africa’s rising stars.
The two current singles are already making an impact on radio and online, “God Can Do Anything,” and “Wind Of God,” work in tandem as tentpoles holding up the album. “I want people to understand and to know that God is still in the wind-blowing business. There’s no situation that he cannot move you from. He is in the ‘do-anything’ business.”
“I feel especially connected to ‘God Can Do Anything,’” Mitchell declared. The song is signature VaShawn Mitchell. In the vein of his hits from the past, ‘Turning Around 4 Me,” and “Nobody Greater,” “God Can Do Anything,” is that super-special moment that Mitchell always seems to find. This song and his successful 20-year career remind Mitchell in profound ways that God’s promises are true. “God has shown me HE can do anything. He has allowed me to carry a sound that is bigger than me, and He continues to evolve it over the years.”
“I hope the takeaway from ELEMENTS, is that people not only listen to this music but start to internalize these elements in their life. Build up the notions that God CAN do anything [in their lives]; that God CAN blow their minds,” said Mitchell.
The song, “Wind Of God,” is also where Mitchell shines. It is a powerful and emotional song that captures the core sentiment from the album. “The Wind of God speaks to people who have gotten to a place where they may be stuck,” explained Mitchell. “We always ask “how God can move mountains?” … But we don’t talk about how He crushes them. In the bible, it says, “God sent a great, tremendous wind that destroyed the mountain.” How many people need God to send a wind … to destroy whatever that mountain is in your life … this All- powerful God has the power to send the wind that can destroy that mountain.”
ELEMENTS, VaShawn Mitchell’s ninth album is a beautiful representation of his continued evolution in music as one of the genre’s most essential and impactful artists.
