By the time gospel performer VaShawn Mitchell achieved widespread recognition in 2011 through his enormous hit single “Nobody Greater,” the Illinois native had already built a substantial career as a vocalist, composer, record producer, and musical director, having issued four albums. After spending the late 1990s and the bulk of the 2000s serving at two Chicago congregations while developing a multifaceted practice that encompassed songwriting for artists including Smokie Norful (“Just Can’t Stop”), Vanessa Bell Armstrong (“Help”), and Bishop Paul Morton (“Cry Your Last Tear”), he later settled in Atlanta. There, subsequent releases such as Created 4 This and Unstoppable extended his reach onto the R&B charts, paving the way for larger-scale endeavors including the 2016 album Secret Place, captured in South Africa.
Born and raised in Chicago, Mitchell became assistant music director at St. Mark Baptist Church during his early teens, collaborating with choir director Lonnie Hunter. In 1996, at age 20, he assumed the role of Minister of Music under Bishop Larry D. Trotter at Sweet Holy Spirit Church, a post he held for the following decade. His recorded debut, So Satisfied, appeared at the close of 1998 and included accompaniment by the New Image Chorale. Over the ensuing years he remained central to every facet of the church’s music program, producing well-known pieces for Bishop Trotter such as “Don’t Last” and “My Worship is for Real.” Mitchell’s second album with the New Image Chorale, Another Chance, arrived in 2002. Three years afterward Tyscot Records issued his third album, Believe in Your Dreams, which climbed to number 26 on Billboard’s gospel chart. Promises, credited to VaShawn Mitchell & Friends, followed in 2007 and peaked at number 20.
That same year Mitchell moved to Atlanta, Georgia, to lead the music ministry at Higher Living Church. It was there that he captured his breakthrough release, the Grammy-nominated Triumphant, issued by EMI Gospel in 2010. The album’s single “Nobody Greater” dominated Billboard’s gospel chart and ranked as the most-played gospel track of 2011. The 2012 LP Created 4 This duplicated that success while also crossing over to the R&B chart, broadening Mitchell’s audience. After the 2014 live album Unstoppable, he documented another live performance, this time in South Africa. Secret Place, released at the end of 2016, marked Mitchell’s seventh album. Three years later he delivered the substantial gospel collection Elements in 2019. His next project, the 2020 holiday EP Home for Christmas, contained the single “Everlasting Joy” featuring Taelia Robinson.
