Review Fix chats with singer Keith Mitchell about his new single, “He’s Alive,” as well as his new musical approach as a soloist following his legendary run with After 7.
A powerful showcase for Keith’s ultra-infectious vocal, rap and songwriting talents, “He’s Alive” – the lead single from his upcoming debut album Food for Your Life – is an overflowing expression of the singer’s great joy over the living presence of God in his life. While the song is his personal testimony, it’s also an invitation for others to invite Christ in and experience the emphatic change for themselves.
In verse one, he reminds us of the first of many great Truths: “No need to feel despair…God will meet you on the road/He’ll never leave you on your own.” All it takes is that we “make a sacrifice today/and learn to love and pray.”
Then Keith shares the essence of a relationship with Jesus: “He wants you to live/He’ll give you all you want/And all you have to do is follow the word and praise and thank him and glorify/Lift his name in all you are.”
In Verse two, the singer reminds us, “He’ll make you give your love to him/Make you sing his praises when/He will make you change…Glorify the name.” In the dynamic rap section, Keith asks pointedly, “When you find the Lord. . .Will you testify what he did with your life?” before sharing the greatest spiritual reality of all: “Jesus, we know you’re alive…”
Review Fix: Let’s hop into this latest single, “He’s Alive,” — Tell me about this particular track; how did it come to fruition?
Keith Mitchell: HE’S ALIVE was born out of a deeply personal revelation I had as a child. At the age of seven, I began to understand that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He came to earth, went to Calvary, and hung on the cross to pay the ransom for my sins and the sins of the world. I came to believe in His resurrection and His ascension to the Father.
As a child, the concept of Jesus rising from the dead was difficult to fully grasp. But with time, as I grew older and my faith matured, I came to understand that the Spirit of Christ—the Holy Spirit—is the living manifestation of the resurrection. He is what lives on in us today as Believers.
This song reflects that realization. I had to echo the foundational truth of Christ’s sacrifice and the fact that He is alive. Jesus still lives! His Spirit dwells in us, empowers us, and continues to transform lives. In HE’S ALIVE, I am able to praise, acknowledge, and glorify Him in a big way. It’s more than just a song—it’s my personal celebration of the risen Christ.
Review Fix: How then does “He’s Alive“ either differ and / or compare to previous KEITH MITCHELL / After 7 entries?
Mitchell: There’s a distinct between singing secular music and singing spiritual or gospel music. With secular music, we’re often expressing human emotions—love, heartbreak, joy—shared between individuals. After 7 has spent over 30 years interpreting and delivering lyrics (primarily written by Babyface and his team) in a way that makes those emotions believable and relatable. The group honed the ability to connect with listeners through the depth of feeling embedded in those songs.
But when it comes to singing for Christ, while the tools are the same—my voice, my body, my emotions—the purpose and the message are profoundly different. This time, I’m singing about the Most High God. The One who created the heavens, the earth, and all of us. The One who gives us purpose and carries us through this life.
That difference is everything.
The conviction remains, but now it’s centered around a deeper, eternal truth. I’m singing about someone I love so deeply, so passionately, that words alone can’t describe the value of what I’m offering. It’s more than just a song—it’s a testimony. It’s worship. And while the craft of performance is still present, what I’m communicating is on a completely different spiritual plane.
To be able to share what His presence means to me—publicly, through music—is an honor I don’t take lightly. It’s a breathtaking experience, one I wouldn’t trade for anything in the world.
Review Fix: What was it about now in 2025, specifically, that prompted not only your return to music, but even more so you being a soloist?
Mitchell: What’s propelled me to push forward in 2025 is the deep desire to step into a solo presentation.
Much of this drive comes from my time with After 7. Over the course of more than 30 years, I’ve gained invaluable experience in recording and stage performance. Being in a group like After 7 was both a blessing and a lesson. While I cherished the brotherhood and musical synergy with Kevon and Melvin—both incredible talents in their own right—group dynamics can sometimes limit how fully one’s individual light can shine.
In many ways, I believe I positioned myself to be the best third member of a three-man group—the cream between two chocolate cookies, if you will (laughs). But even with the sweet moments, there were bitter ones, too. Still, I stayed the course. As a loyal team player and a proud member of Kappa Alpha Psi, I kept showing up.
God, however, had planted something deeper in my heart long ago. Twenty-five years ago, He spoke to me, stirring the inspiration that would eventually become the music on my new album, Food For Your Life. These songs were born out of pain—through despair, a divorce I didn’t want, and the difficult decision to walk away from After 7.
All of that brought me back to my roots. Looking back, the journey has been amazing. And now, nearly three decades later, I’m both humbled and in awe of the music that’s emerged. The lyrics are deeply personal, and the performance? Simply astonishing.
This is more than a solo project—it’s a spiritual mission. And I’m ready.
Review Fix: Does this new solo material in any way signify your departure or perhaps, worse, an After 7 break-up?
Mitchell: No, I don’t think the new music signifies a departure—or worse, a breakup with After 7. This new music is just me finally getting the chance to share my own talent with the world.
When you’ve sung with two other guys for over 30 years and never really been out front, there’s a certain kind of anxiety that builds up. You start to wonder what people really think of your voice, your gift. I think folks appreciated what I brought on stage and what they heard on the records, but let’s be honest—the impact was small. I never had the space to really share how I feel or sing from the soul as a lead.
Over time, you start to ache for that opportunity, especially when you know you’re capable. But if you’re not given the shot, there’s not much you can do about it. It’s like a train rolling down the track, and every now and then it stops to refuel. Sometimes that’s also the place where you get off. And when that stop came for me, I was ready.
I had already started working on this gospel album before that moment even arrived. I was looking forward to the freedom—the freedom of not having to answer to anyone but myself and God.
I’m grateful for the ride I had with After 7. I really am. But I’m even more in love with this next chapter. I’m in love with the opportunity to do God.
Review Fix: That said, what all else had / have you been up to, both personally and professionally speaking, during your musical hiatus?
Mitchell: During this musical hiatus, I’ve been deeply focused on completing my upcoming album, Food For Your Life. In April, I had the opportunity to perform in Atlanta (DeKalb County)—my very first performance as a solo artist. It was a unique and empowering experience, sharing the stage with just me, myself, and I. Funny, funny, funny—what a moment!
This journey marks a shift for me—from working within a collective to stepping out as an individual. I’m drawing from all the lessons I’ve learned over the years, not just creatively, but also from the business side of the music industry. This new chapter is all about growth, independence, and elevating my artistry to the next level.
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