Nicole C. Mullen's always been known as a pop diva of sorts, delivering dynamic dance tracks ("Everyday People") and stirring power ballads ("Redeemer," "Call on Jesus"). But she's mixed up her musical formula for The Sharecropper's Seed Volume 1 (Word). Aside from being a stripped down, understated affair, the project is also something of a concept album that traces the singer/songwriter's family tree. Throughout the ten tracks, she shares a lineage that includes a sharecropping grandfather, a pair of pastors, and unconditionally supportive parents, while simultaneously relating her upbringing—hardships and all. The more Mullen got chatting about the unique undertaking, the more Christian Music Today learned about her abusive past, how those wounds healed, and why surrendering struggles of any sort always leads to ultimate peace in the Lord.

Your greatest hits collection landed in stores about a year ago. What have you been up to since then?

Nicole C. Mullen: I didn't know about the hits album, and I wouldn't have put it out now. I would've given it a few years, but that was a record label decision. On my end, I've been writing for a while, thinking about the past a lot—mostly in relation to how it affects the future. I've spent a lot of time reminiscing with my mom and friends, and I've realized a seed can be very powerful. It may not look like much, but if it's planted right, it can bring fourth tons of good. Even with adversity, it can sprout its way to see the sun.

Who inspired the title for Sharecropper's Seed?

Mullen: I'm the granddaughter of a Georgia sharecropper from back in the day. My grandparents have since moved to Cincinnati and my grandpa, the sharecropper, is now a pastor, as is my other grandfather. Regardless of where you start off in life, God has the ability to use you. I'm not afraid of humble beginnings because God can still bring forth harvest and crops, which he's done throughout my life and my entire family.

What was life like for your grandparents?

Mullen: My mom lived in Georgia as a young girl and she remembers picking cotton with her dad. There was a lot of hardship in that system, but God still has a way of making a way out of no way! My family is a testament that God can do great things out of small and I pray the best is yet to come.

Do you consider this CD to be a concept album?

Mullen: Yes. It's a musical journey with a theme that in order to go up, you must go down. Those who humble themselves will be exalted. There's a song called "One Touch (Press)," which is about the bleeding woman whose only hope was touching the hem of Jesus' garment. She had to [physically] go low in order to do that. In the end, she found healing and he brought back her dignity, which is the whole premise of Sharecropper's Seed.

How are you able to convey these messages to a wide audience when several of the songs are specifically about your family?

Mullen: I aim to do what Jesus did. He used common things that people were totally aware of to get across spiritual things. It was not his intention to tell people how to fish—there was a deeper underlying message. You probably don't care about my family, and if that's what people think when they listen to these songs, then they missed the point. The message is that we are all called to nurture seed around us—let me tell you my story and hopefully you can see yours through it. If God proves faithful to me, he will to you as well! It's not just my story—it's everybody's story!

Aside from the more story-focused approach, I've also noticed a much more subdued and organic sound on the record.

Mullen: I consider this a storytelling album and I originally wanted to do it with just piano and vocals, but the label wouldn't let that fly. It still doesn't have all the usual bells and whistles; this one is about sitting in your living room and de-stressing. It's very organic and down home. I think of it as being really comfortable and warm to the point where you want to take off layers of tiredness, hurt, shame and the things you are hiding from—to get comfortable and feel the warmth of God's fire.

Do you consider it risky to encourage people to be so vulnerable, especially when Christian music often times covers topics more safe and comfortable?

Mullen: It is, but [how the industry reacts] is up to God. I'm called to help hurting people, and after singing on stage, my favorite part of the night is speaking to people. So many people come up to me suffering and saying, "I'm giving you 90 minutes of my time and I have to go back to the real world, so don't waste it!" I can read the suffering on their faces—physical abuse, eating disorders, cancer, or whatever the story. They say, "Please stop the fluff," because they are having nightmares of being abused! I hopefully set the stage where Christ can come into their deepest, darkest and most shameful parts and say, "If he can heal me, he can do it in anybody." We all get wet from time to time, but where's the anchor? Hopefully it's found in Christ.

You've mentioned Christ carrying you through difficult times on several occasions, but what specific issues have been a struggle?

Mullen: I've had plenty of those! For one, I remember growing up and considering myself an ugly duckling even though my parents said I was beautiful. Later in life, there were several points where I'd come to a fork in the road and asked myself, "Am I believing what I believe because that's what I've been told or because it's true?" I made a decision for Christ at eight and then again at sixteen, but I had to come to that conclusion again years after that. I had met a guy who I thought was the greatest, but three years into it, I was getting my brains beat out and I thought, What did I do wrong? My faith was on trial at that point and I wondered, "Is God just and is God good in midst of hardship?

What did you come out believing?

Mullen: Even when bad things happen, he is a good God and he is just! I've personally offered forgiveness because you cannot spend your whole life trying to make wrongs right. I'm able to rest in the fact that God is good and to wait for the Day of Judgment when all of that is resolved.

How were you able to get out of that abusive situation, and what advice would you give to those in the same shoes trying to break away?

Mullen: I had great family and friends and a sister who lived near me and I'd run to her house. But I really think a person has to get ready for change. I ran away what felt like a hundred times, but for ninety-nine of them I went back. Eventually I just couldn't go back and I was all cried out. I called my parents and spoke to people who I really valued for council. They spoke great advice, which I would say in turn is to get away from any physically abusive situation. If there's a separation involved, healing can occur, but it's still very crucial to get away. You need to make it known to the authority in church and go to the government officials if you need to do that.

And of course seek wise counseling. My parents have been married a long time, and they said, "We'd rather see you divorced and alive any day!" Everyone in my family has been married forever and we've always been such firm believers in the institution of marriage, but [hearing them say that] really freed me. The tricky part was feeling like a failure. That was the hardest part, more than just the obvious [aftermath of abuse]. But God showered me with compassion and kindness and grace. He resorted my faith and I didn't feel like I had to hide from the drama and trauma anymore.

Why is it common for churchgoers to cover up their problems, particularly when it comes to abuse, divorce or other "taboo" topics?

Mullen: I think it's because they don't feel the church is going to handle it well. If they don't play like they're perfect, then it's perceived that there is a problem. All the while, they're not realizing that everyone has junk going on and it all rests on where you're anchored. God's been so merciful to me and I feel compelled to give that back by writing. I may have a different story than you, but I still know what it's like.

If you were to pick an ultimate recovery anthem on the album, what song would it be?

Mullen: "Convinced" would be one that speaks about being convinced of the fact that he always loves us. It's only after we fall and surrender that he can finally begin to work. In my surrender, that's when he's able to take me and hold me—to rescue me, cover me and forgive me.

Are you concerned that having so many introspective songs may disappoint listeners who are hoping for more of a dance or pop punch?

Mullen: You may not be greeted with "All Aboard, Here We Go," but I think you will find the same heart and that this will be a familiar ride. [My fans] know this side of Nicole and they also know there's a crazy side. There will still be eight dancers touring with this album. I'm just trying to get people to sit down by the warmth of the fire and take off the heaviness. After that, they'll be able to get up and dance because their feet will be a little lighter and they can move with purpose.

Is a second volume to Sharecropper's Seed planned at this point, and will it take a more upbeat direction?

Mullen: I'm working on it as we speak and I'd wager it will be a lot more upbeat. I may even revisit a song or two in a different form or remix. Some people will like [Volume 1] and other people won't, but the [fans] are the real litmus test. The critics, bah! The people are getting it and that means mission accomplished. This is just Volume 1, but there's a continuation of the story [coming]. Don't just read the first chapter—read the whole book!

For more about Nicole C. Mullen, visit our site's artist page. You can read our review of Sharecropper's Seed, Volume 1 by clicking here. Visit Christianbook.com to listen to song clips and buy her music.

© Andy Argyrakis, subject to licensing agreement with Christianity Today International. All rights reserved. Click for reprint information.

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