Christian artist Blanca is wowing fans with her debut solo album, a project that has taken the young artist in a new and exciting musical direction.
Released in May, the songs on the self-titled album, “Blanca” (Word Records), highlight the artist’s vocal and writing talents and fans have responded positively. The album entered the Top 10 on Billboard’s Christian Albums chart, and the debut single, “Who I Am,” reached No. 1 on Billboard’s Christian Hot AC/CHR (adult contemporary/contemporary hit radio) chart.
It’s only fitting that “Who I Am” was the first hit from the new album. The song immediately resonated with fans, but the lyrics have deep personal meaning for Blanca as well.
Until 2013, Blanca had spent her entire professional career with the Christian hip-hop band Group 1 Crew. That year brought many changes to her life, including the birth of her son, London, with husband and Group 1 Crew drummer, Ben Callahan.
A ‘brand new season’
In November 2013, Blanca announced she was leaving Group 1 Crew, a decision that was not made lightly. In a release announcing her departure, Blanca said that even before the birth of her son, she felt a transition coming in her life.
“It was as if the Lord had been preparing me not only for the birth of my child but also for the birth of a brand new season,” she wrote.
She admits it was frightening.
“Many times in my life, and especially during this season, I’ve allowed anxiousness to take control,” she said.
“I’ve learned to take it one day at a time and ask the Lord to help me with those areas. At the end of the day, I have to let go and trust that God is in control.”
The lyrics of “Who I Am,” co-written by Blanca, Australian songwriter Mia Fieldes and Grammy Award-winning songwriter Seth Mosely, capture one of the lessons Blanca has learned about herself and her faith as she entered this new chapter in her career: “I’m running to the One who knows me/Who made every part of me in His hands/I’m holding to the One who holds me/’Cause I know whose I am, I know who I am.”
The other songs on the album mix pop, hip-hop and dance-inspired beats, all with a faith focus. Some of the biggest names in Christian music came along to help, including Mosely, Tedd T, Bernie Herms, Joseph Prielozny and Dirty Rice. Artists Lecrae and Tedashii are featured on the album as well.
World-class talent aside, it’s Blanca’s story and the journey God has led her on throughout her entire life that takes the project deeper than anything she’s done before.
Songs like “Worry” and “Surrender” share Blanca’s real-life struggles and her desire to help others, especially girls and young women, realize that true beauty lies within.
“Identity has been something I’ve always struggled with, loving who God has made me to be without comparing myself to others,” she said.
“Being content with who I am and how He made me is a big underlying message on this album.”
The Real True You Challenge
To spread her message of authenticity and true beauty, Blanca issued the Real True You Challenge in conjunction with the release of her album. The challenge builds on the words of the album’s opening track, “Different Drum,” which reassure listeners that “all you need to try to be is who you’re made to be.”
Blanca asked fans to post pictures of themselves on social media with little or no makeup and to caption the photo with something positive about the way God made them using the hashtags #RealTrueYou and #RealTrueYouChallenge. The results have been overwhelming, Blanca said.
“I’ve been blown away,” she said. “It’s so easy to look at social media and only see the best of everyone, the filtered version.
“Too often we say negative things or highlight what we wish we could change. It’s nice to see girls saying this is who I am and what I’m learning to love about myself.”
In moments like this we see how God works all things together for our good, Blanca said, a truth that continues to guide her outlook on the future.
“This has definitely been a stretching season for me, but I feel like I’ve grown so much,” she said. “I’ve learned so much about true balance and the importance of family, and I have learned I can be there for my family and still be who God has called me to be in my music. It’s been amazing.”
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