When longtime Christian hip-hop artist Da’ T.R.U.T.H. first introduced his company Mixed Bag Entertainment, his mission was to glorify God and bring encouragement to others through music, television, and films that listeners and viewers couldn’t categorize or “put in a box.” Those in the company are focused on creating their own lane and redefining these art forms while using creativity and talent to present the gospel. While society seems to always crave a new flavor, Mixed Bag strives to quench that hunger for a new flavor while also professing the name of the only one who can quench one’s heart forever: Jesus. Released on August 26, 2014, Normal Is Overrated is the long anticipated group album from the Mixed Bag crew consisting of Da’ T.R.U.T.H., TJ Pompeo, Prayz1, and Promise.
There could not be a more fitting title than Normal Is Overrated for the first group album from a label that is seeking to redefine the standards of the gospel and hip-hop industries. With Mixed Bag’s diverse pool of talent between its four label mates, Normal Is Overrated carries a unique sound for nearly each track on the album. Listeners will find themselves replaying tracks just to try to solidify the notion that the artist putting out heat through bars in one song is now carrying the next song along with impressive vocals.
What better way to begin such an album than with the mysterious vocals of Marz Ferrer? The rapidly growing in popularity Marz is the first voice we hear on the album. Having been featured on some of the most notable albums released in the past year, Marz is perfect for the original and beautiful sound Mixed Bag seeks to produce. The opening track, “Stop Playing,” quickly gives listeners their first verse from Da’ T.R.U.T.H. on the album. Da’ T.R.U.T.H. brings an edge alongside his message of the gospel. He outlines the popularity among people to claim having a relationship with God while their lifestyles and actions speak to that statement one way or another. The second track on the album, “Cool Kids,” has another boom-bap feel that shows TJ Pompeo, usually known for his impressive voice, flexing his lyrical muscles as he speeds through his verse. It was only appropriate that Canon (of Reflection Music Group) come along for the second verse and shares some rapid-fire bars of his own. There are certain tracks on albums that leave listeners crossing their fingers with hopes of seeing it performed live one day; “Cool Kids” is a MUST to be experienced live!
A few seconds into “Nightlight,” the third track of the album, and listeners will be fighting the urge to get up and dance. Once again, TJ Pompeo showcases his musical flexibility as he threads the hook and transitions into rapping the first verse. Pompeo shares the reality that all people face the darker chapters in life where it seems more painful and hopeless than ever. However, for those in Christ, believers can know we aren’t alone through these dark times of life, as we know Christ experienced the same pain and heartbreak we have. Just as Christ was struck down and eventually rose again, Christians can find a constant hope in that while our pain and sorrow may last for awhile, we can dance through it, trusting that Christ is using it for our good and His glory. Prayz1 makes his entrance on the album with the fourth track, “Can I Be Me.” Prayz1 begins with a bang as he boldly raps about the indecision many people feel when thinking about listening to new artists. Often times people steer clear of listening to new artists, leaving many artists to deviate from their unique sound to please the people with something their ears are already accustomed to hearing. Prayz1 shares his mindset as well of that of Mixed Bag altogether in that everyone has their own fingerprints for a reason. As long as one pleases God in and through what they do, that should be all that matters. The hook echoes, “What you call me to be, I’ll be,” and Prayz1’s bars reflect his dependency being on Christ alone and what God created him to be.
Prayz1 follows up with another track titled “Lost.” This is a track that initially deviates from the explicit rap sound and begins with an R&B/Gospel feel only to return to the hip-hop rhythm in the second half of the song. “Lost” lays out the spiritual state all people are in apart from knowing their Creator. There are some tracks on the album that directly lay out the gospel and the hope we have in Christ and this is another one that holds true. Prayz1 raps about his complete dependency in Christ and how that carries him through each day. “Make it Work” is the sixth song on the album and features Da’ T.R.U.T.H., Prazy1, and Promise. Da’ T.R.U.T.H. begins this relay in verse one and outlines the difference between of the church and of the world. Prazy1 follows suit in the second verse and speaks to all of the violence and sin that takes place daily while also encouraging the church to use its light to help illuminate the darkness. Promise takes over, saturates the third verse in word play, and ends with this banger: “Formerly known as jaded, now totally motivated, I know that we overstate it, but normal is overrated!”
“Cliché & Trends” is a title that automatically grabs one’s attention when looking at the track listing. The hook initially poses questions surrounding one’s identity and the influence of music on an individual. The sound of a DJ scratching records is laced into the instrumental and feeds the throwback feel of this track. Promise and “Truth” both lay out different fads, clichés, and trends and how their eternal substance is paper-thin because it’s always going to pass away. Even with all that fades away from this world, there is hope for the soul in Christ alone. Promise is featured in his third consecutive track with the single “More.” One of the most personal songs on the album, “More” shines a light into the struggle so many have with their self-image. The hook possesses a beautiful flow that blends with Promise’s verses flawlessly. Altogether, “More” is an uplifting track that encourages all people to love the person God created them to be while loving others in their God given differences.
Track 9 calls on Prayz1 once more and takes the form of a love ballad to our Creator. “Supernatural Love” follows up on the same message presented in “More.” When life gets hard the only love that helps people to truly heal can only come from Christ and those who know Him. This type of love is supernatural and crucial to all healing. Before looking to the next track, be sure to reach back into the “Mixed Bag” to ready yourself for a much faster, heated single. “Focus” is the tenth song on the album as the album jumps abruptly to this upbeat banger. TJ Pompeo uses “Focus” to reach out and introduce himself to all listeners. Pompeo explains that while he is an artist and travels worldwide for concerts, he is just a normal guy using all of his talents to glorify God. Pompeo once again hints to the idea that the tiniest of one’s actions make a much louder statement than what one screams. The striking of piano keys brings in the eleventh track on the album, “I Can.” Once again, Promise brings a simplistic message and transparent flow. He deals with some of the things he was encouraged to do when growing up, yet he always felt held back by the doubt of not knowing if he could succeed. Promise speaks a truth here that so many people struggle to understand: God doesn’t need someone to be the greatest speaker or have the most talent in order to use them. God just needs someone to be faithful and He will use you as He sees fit. A choir fills in the background vocals and the instrumental brings the track to a comfortable close.
As if the album had not already shifted enough from hard hitting rap to a smoother R&B feel to a mixture of the two, TJ Pompeo brings a somewhat contemporary feel into the lineup with “Oh Cherished One.” A much more intimate tune, “Oh Cherished One” is led by the vocals of Pompeo and the playing of piano keys and a violin. The magnificence of God is magnified in this single as the lyrics read: “The beauty of your love, the serenity and peace; raging thunder from above, oh my heart will never fleet! You’re all I see, oh cherished One.” The intimate mood of “Oh Cherished One” is quickly traded for a high tempo track that features all of the artists on the label. “I’m Home” begins with Da’ T.R.U.T.H. exclaiming to others that the label isn’t looking to fit in. Instead, he encourages others to look at them as inspiration to not conform to the sound the music industry is used to hearing. Prayz1 rips apart the second verse and sets the table for Pompeo once more to stun listeners with his raw rapping ability. TJ Pompeo kills his verse as he unpacks the environment he came out of and what shaped his music. Out of wanting to please people, Pompeo originally created songs about things he didn’t have or even experience, later realizing he was living a lie and meant for something bigger. Promise jumps in on the final verse as Da’ T.R.U.T.H. echoes in the background that Mixed Bag isn’t the typical rap group and that they’re “born to be life, not a trigger.”
The final track on the album is titled “Shipwrecked” and features Aaron Cole. However, instead of outlining it for you this time, I’m going to let you reach into that Mixed Bag and enjoy it for yourself!
The diverse talent among the artists on this label as well as the production on this group album is enough to intrigue the masses. With Normal Is Overrated, Mixed Bag has done exactly what they set out to do: make phenomenal music while providing listeners with a new sound and energy to carry out their lives in a way that glorifies God. With all of the major releases already in 2014, this album seems to be flying under the radar. One thing is for sure, even if “normal is overrated,” this album surely isn’t!
