You know that feeling when you're just stuck? Like, every door is locked, and you've basically run out of "Plan Bs"? That's the exact nerve VaShawn Mitchell Make a Way hits. It isn't just another gospel track to fill a Sunday morning slot. Honestly, it feels like a rescue mission wrapped in a four-minute urban groove.
When the song dropped in early 2025, specifically around March 7th, it didn't just "release." It sort of exploded. Within a few months, it climbed to the very top of the Billboard Gospel Airplay charts, proving that even after 30 years in the game, Mitchell still knows how to read the room. People were tired. They were coming out of a season of layoffs, weird economic shifts, and just general heaviness. They needed a reminder that wasn't just "hang in there," but something with a bit of teeth to it.
The Shift in Sound: Why Make a Way Feels Different
If you've followed VaShawn Mitchell since the "Nobody Greater" days of 2010, you might have expected a massive, swelling ballad with a 50-person choir. But that’s not what happened here. VaShawn Mitchell Make a Way took a hard left into what people are calling an "urban inspirational groove."
It’s got this crisp, R&B-leaning production—shoutout to the producer Dready—that feels modern but doesn't lose the "church" soul. It’s got a bounce. It’s the kind of song a youth choir can actually lean into without feeling like they’re singing their grandma’s music. Mitchell actually talked about this shift in a few interviews. He mentioned that while he usually writes for the "Sunday morning experience," he wanted this one to be creative visually and sonically. He even switched up his style in the music video, leaning more into fashion and visual art than he ever has before.
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Breaking Down the Lyrics
The lyrics are simple, but that’s the point. When you’re in a crisis, you don’t need a theological dissertation. You need a witness. The hook is basically a mantra: “He gon’ make a way, make a way, make a... I know He will.”
- The "Living Witness" Element: He sings about being "chosen" even when "broken." It’s that contrast that makes it human.
- The Storm Imagery: The bridge references the classic "weeping may endure for a night" scripture, but it pairs it with a modern "don't let the storm dim your light."
- The Hip-Hop Influence: The rhythm isn't just 4/4 time; it’s got a syncopation that feels like a nod to the Chicago gospel-soul roots he grew up in.
Behind the Scenes of Soundcheck
"Make a Way" wasn't just a standalone single. It was the lead-off for his anniversary project, SOUNDCHECK, which hit the shelves (and the clouds) on October 24, 2025. It’s a pretty big deal—it marks three decades of him being in the industry. Think about that. Most artists are lucky to get three years. Mitchell has survived the transition from CDs to downloads to streaming, and he’s still hitting #1.
He wrote the track with a solid team: Nikki Grier, Anthony Jawan McEastland, and Marcus Kincy. It wasn't some isolated "I'm a genius" moment. It was a collaboration. And that’s a theme that runs through the whole SOUNDCHECK album. He even followed up "Make a Way" with a track called "Working Together" featuring Taelia Robinson Jackson, which is a lot slower and more reflective. He likes to play with those two sides—the high-energy groove and the "cry-your-eyes-out" worship.
What Most People Miss About the Success
People see a #1 hit and think it’s just about the marketing. But with VaShawn Mitchell Make a Way, there’s a layer of authenticity that’s hard to fake. Mitchell started as a seat-filler at the Stellar Awards. He was the youngest-ever Minister of Music at Sweet Holy Spirit Church in Chicago at age 20. He’s done the work.
When he sings about God making a way, he’s talking from the perspective of a guy who has seen the industry change a dozen times. He told The Christian Beat that the title of the album, SOUNDCHECK, came to him while he was on a plane. He was asking God, "What’s next? Do I copy the trends?" The answer he felt he got was simple: "Check your sound." Basically, stay true to the foundation but keep the production fresh.
Impact and Cultural Reach
One of the coolest things about this song is how it traveled. It didn't just stay in the "Gospel" box. Because of that urban-inspirational sound, it started popping up on mainstream R&B stations. It’s a "crossover" record in the best way. It offers hope without being "preachy," which is a tough needle to thread.
- Radio Domination: It reached #1 on Billboard, staying there long enough to solidify Mitchell as one of the most consistent hitmakers in the genre.
- Social Media Viral Moments: Similar to how "Turning Around For Me" went viral on TikTok years after its release, "Make a Way" started trending with people sharing their own stories of overcoming obstacles.
- Global Appeal: Mitchell has a huge following in South Africa (he even recorded a live album there in 2016), and this track resonated heavily in the international worship scene.
How to Actually Apply the Message
If you’re listening to VaShawn Mitchell Make a Way and you want more than just a catchy tune, here is how you "use" the song's energy:
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- Acknowledge the Brokenness: The song doesn't say "pretend everything is fine." It says "even when I'm broken." The first step is honesty.
- Create a Routine of Encouragement: Mitchell often talks about reading more than he listens to music. To stay "inspired," you've got to feed your mind with more than just social media noise.
- Look for the Pivot: Sometimes "making a way" doesn't mean the problem disappears. It means you find a new way to walk through it.
The song basically acts as a spiritual reset. It takes the focus off the mountain and puts it back on the fact that you’re still standing. Whether you're a long-time fan or just someone who stumbled upon the track while looking for a "vibe," there's no denying that Mitchell has captured lightning in a bottle once again.
To get the most out of the SOUNDCHECK era, start by listening to the full album in order. Notice the transition from the high-energy "Make a Way" into the deeper worship of "Glory to God." It's designed to be a journey, not just a playlist. If you're going through a tough season, keep the hook of "Make a Way" on repeat—sometimes you have to remind your own brain that a path forward actually exists.