Terrance Bell is on a mission to redefine the boundaries of a faith-based artist. As a respected musician and recording artist, he believes that the perception of faith-based music is limited to “churchy” themes is a misconception that needs to be challenged.
“There is this idea that faith-based artists should stick to strictly ‘religious’ or ‘spiritual’ content, but I believe that all music can and should speak to the full human experience,” Bell explains. “A musician should not have boundaries. If they are true musicians, they should be able to cross into various boundaries that relate to their character.”
One of the main reasons why some may feel faith-based musicians shouldn’t venture into urban love songs, according to Bell, is the common perception that these genres are incompatible or even contradictory. “The reality is, life experiences encompass both the sacred and the secular—love, relationships, struggles, and all.” However, although I can appreciate the production of all genres, I do not approve of provocative lyrics, rather, I enjoy the instrumentation of music.
Bell believes that he has a shared responsibility to reflect the complexities of the human condition. “Love, with all its joys and challenges, is a universal experience that transcends any single genre or category,” he asserts. “We can’t ignore these vital aspects of the experience simply because they don’t fit neatly into faith themes.”
Additionally, Bell argues that faith-based artists in general have a unique opportunity to bring a fresh perspective to urban love songs. “We can infuse these songs with messages of hope, redemption, and the transformative power of love. It doesn’t have to be a binary choice between ‘sacred’ and ‘secular’ – we can create music that touches on both.”
His new single, “Perfect Man,” gives men permission to openly acknowledge their flaws and imperfections, while conveying the powerful message that true love goes beyond the pursuit of perfection.
“Baby, I’ll never be a perfect man/But I am your perfect man/And you know I still love you/I’ve made mistakes/I wish I could erase/Cause it seems like the more I do/The more I lose,” he sings, capturing a man’s genuine expression of love, embracing his mistakes.
By highlighting a man’s vulnerable admission of his flaws, the song invites women to cultivate a more empathetic perspective. Bell encourages women to look beyond superficial ideals of perfection and recognize the value in a partner who has self-awareness, is willing to work on themselves, and is deeply committed to the relationship.
“So often, women are socialized to expect their partners to be infallible, to never make mistakes or have weaknesses,” explains Bell. “But the reality is, we’re all human. Embracing that shared imperfection is what allows true intimacy and connection to flourish.”
Through this urban love song, Terrance hopes to spark a cultural shift – one that celebrates the understanding of imperfection and encourages both men and women to see the “perfect” in the partner who is perfectly imperfect.
By challenging the societal expectations placed on faith-based musicians, Terrance aims to pave the way for a more inclusive and expansive understanding of what music is. “At the end of the day, we are all human. Our music should reflect the full scope of life’s experiences, including the joys and struggles of love and relationships.”
Terrance’s bold move to venture into the urban love song genre is not without its critics. Some traditionalists within the faith community have expressed concerns about the perceived dilution of the genre’s core spiritual message. “We experience joy, pain, love, and everything in between – and our music should reflect that.”
With the release of “Perfect Man,” Terrance hopes to inspire artists to embrace the full spectrum of emotions and experiences in their music. “It’s time for us to break down the walls and expand the boundaries of what music is,” he declares. “By doing so, we can reach more people, touch more lives, and fulfill our calling as artists who reflect the heart and soul of life.”
As he continues to push the boundaries of music, we eagerly await the next chapter in his journey of artistic expression and spiritual exploration. With his unwavering commitment to authenticity and his desire to uplift and inspire, Terrance Bell is poised to leave an indelible mark on the music landscape.
