Grammy nominated VaShawn Mitchell releases ‘Secret Place: Live in South Africa.’

*“I travel to South Africa…I realized it’s become my secret place where I am not bothered by emails and cell phones…just you and God,” said VaShawn Mitchell, a Grammy nominated Contemporary Gospel vocalist, songwriter and producer (Smokie Norful), about the location of the live recording of his latest album release “Secret Place: Live in South Africa” featuring Tasha Cobbs and Bebe Winans (November 4, 2016). “It was important not to just go and record, and not incorporate South African artists.”

Born in Chicago November 19th VaShawn has been in the Gospel music business for almost 20 years, starting as a member of Youthful Praise which still backs him. His accomplishments are great which includes a street in his hometown named after him; two Grammy Award nominations; six Stellar Award wins, and two Dove Award nominations. This recent live recorded project, “Secret Place: Live in South Africa,” is Mitchell’s ninth album. The current single off of the project is titled “Joy.”

“It came together over time,” VaShawn said when asked if he had a concept for the album when it began. “We invited the South African artists. I personally reached out to the top artist…and he said yes! So it came together over time with South African’s sound.”

“Secret Place: Live in South Africa” was recorded near Johannesburg to a sold out crowd where VaShawn combined his American Contemporary Gospel sounds with the worship sounds of South African artists. American guests on stage with Mitchell included Tasha Cobbs on “Jesus Reigns” and Bebe Winans on “Nobody Greater.”

“It was epic to see the massive worship experience,” VaShawn pointed out. “The energy will transfer to the Word and Spirit. It’s worship from front to back.”

VaShawn said that South Africa is Americanized.

“South African is almost an Americanized country…technologically advanced,” Mitchell stated when I asked. “I spent time in Johannesburg – everyone should visit!”

If you can not visit South African then listen to VaShawn Mitchell’s “Secret Place: Live in South Africa.” Log onto http://www.VaShawnMichell.com for more information about the artist who is noted as Billboard’s “Gospel Artist of the Year” (2011) or about the “Secret Place: Live in South Africa” album release.