Tevin Campbell
Tevin Campbell is an American singer, songwriter, and actor, born on November 12, 1976, in Waxahachie, Texas. His musical journey began at a young age, as he showcased his vocal talents by performing gospel music in his local church. By the time he was four years old, Campbell had developed a passion for singing, which would later propel him into the spotlight of the music industry .
Campbell rose to fame in the late 1980s and 1990s, making a significant impact on the Rhythm and Blues scene. He first gained attention in 1988 when he featured in the hit song "Tell Me What You Want Me to Do" by the group, The New Power Generation, led by Prince. His debut album, "Tevin Campbell," was released in 1991, which included the chart-topping single "Can We Talk." This song, among others like "I'm Ready," solidified his status as a prominent figure in R&B music.
Throughout his career, Campbell has been recognized for his vocal abilities and songwriting skills. He has been compared to legendary artists such as Stevie Wonder and Michael Jackson, owing to his exceptional talent and influence. Over the years, he has released several albums and singles, contributing to his lasting legacy in the music industry.
In addition to his music career, Tevin Campbell has also discussed personal aspects of his life, including his journey as a gay man. In recent interviews, he has opened up about his experiences and the evolution of his career, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and self-acceptance.
To sum up, Tevin Campbell's biography is marked by a remarkable rise in the music world, characterized by his incredible vocal talent, hit songs, and a candid exploration of his personal identity. Overall, he remains an influential figure in the R&B genre, revered by fans and peers alike.
T.E.V.I.N.
Engineer, Programmed By – Mark Plati
Lyrics By [Special Rap] – Justin Warfield
Mixed By, Engineer [Post Production] – Junior Vasquez
Producer, Arranged By, Composed By, Instruments [All], Backing Vocals – Prince
Recorded By – Michael Koppelman, Tom Garneau
4:54
2 Interlude / Over The Rainbow And On To The Sun
Keyboards, Written-By – Narada Michael Walden
Vocals [Narration & Backgrounds] – Tevin "Tevvy Tev" Campbell
0:49
3 Tell Me What You Want Me To Do
Acoustic Guitar – Ric "Rock" Wilson
Arranged By [Strings] – Jerry Hey
Drums, Programmed By – Narada Michael Walden
Keyboards, Arranged By [Synthesizer], Programmed By – Louis "King Pin" Biancaniello
Producer [Associate] – Louis Biancaniello
Written-By – Narada Michael Walden, Sally Jo Dakota, Tevin Campbell
5:03
4 Lil' Brother
Backing Vocals – Skyler Jett, Tevin Campbell
Drums, Programmed By – Narada Michael Walden
Keyboards, Arranged By [Synthesizer], Programmed By, Producer [Associate] – Mike Mani
Piano [Solo] – Eric Daniels (2)
Vocals [Accompanying] – Tyler Collins
Written-By – Mike Mani, Narada Michael Walden, Skyler Jett, Tevin Campbell
4:09
5 Alone With You
Arranged By [Additional Vocal] – Jo Jo Haley And K-Ci Haley
Backing Vocals – Jo Jo Haley, K-Ci Haley, Tevin Campbell
Written-By – Al B. Sure!, Kyle West
5:07
6 Strawberry Letter 23
Backing Vocals – Angel Rogers, Rose Banks
Bass – Nathan East
Drums – Ricky Lawson
Keyboards – Greg Phillinganes
Mixed By – Keith "KC" Cohen
Programmed By [Synthesizer] – Todd Yvega
Synthesizer – Michael Omartian
Synthesizer, Co-producer – Quincy D III
Written-By – Sugie Otis
4:07
7 One Song
Backing Vocals – David Pack, Lynn Davis, Maxi Anderson, Monalisa Young, Phillip Ingram, Rob Trow
Co-producer, Arranged By, Drums, Programmed By, Synthesizer – Michael Omartian
Lyrics By – Alan Bergman, Marilyn Bergman
Music By – Marvin Hamlisch
4:27
8 Just Ask Me To
Arranged By [Additional Vocal] – Jo Jo Haley And K-Ci Haley
Backing Vocals – Jo Jo Haley, K-Ci Haley, Tevin Campbell
Rap [Featuring] – Chubb Rock
Written-By – Al B. Sure!, Chubb Rock, Kyle West
4:07
9 Goodbye
Arranged By [Additional Vocal] – Jo Jo Haley And K-Ci Haley
Backing Vocals – Jo Jo Haley, K-Ci Haley, Tevin Campbell
Written-By – Al B. Sure!, Kyle West
4:17
10 Perfect World
Backing Vocals – Angel Rogers, Rose Banks, Tevin Campbell, Tina Baker
Producer – Arthur Baker
Programmed By – Axel Kroell
Written-By – Axel Kroell, Tina Baker
4:32
11 Confused
Arranged By – Al B. Sure!
Arranged By [Additional Vocal] – Jo Jo Haley And K-Ci Haley
Backing Vocals – Al B. Sure!, Jo Jo Haley, K-Ci Haley, Tevin Campbell
Written-By – Al B. Sure!, Kyle West
4:57
12 Look What We'd Have (If You Were Mine)
Backing Vocals – Claytoven Richardson, Skyler Jett, Tevin Campbell
Keyboards, Programmed By, Arranged By [Synthesizer] – Louis "King Pin" Biancaniello
Lead Guitar – Vernon "Ice" Black
Written-By – Narada Michael Walden, Tevin Campbell, Tony Lindsay
4:40
13 She's All That
Backing Vocals – B.J. Nelson, Michelle Cobb, Tevin Campbell, Tina Baker
Producer – Arthur Baker
Recorded By – Dave Arlington, Louis Scalise
Written-By – Axel Kroell, Tina Baker, Tony McIlwain
4:48
Label: Qwest Records – 9 26291-2
Format: CD, Album
Country: US
Released: 1991
Genre: R&B Soul, Hip Hop, Funk
Style: Neo Soul, Contemporary R&B
Tevin Campbell's debut album, T.E.V.I.N. (1991), was praised for showcasing his incredible vocal talent, mature delivery at a young age (14!), blending New Jack Swing with soulful ballads, and featuring top-notch production from Quincy Jones, Al B. Sure, and Prince. While some critics found filler, its hits "Tell Me What You Want Me to Do" and "Alone with You" became R&B staples, solidifying it as a strong debut, though some felt it didn't get the mainstream recognition it deserved despite its quality and platinum status.
Critics consistently highlighted Campbell's powerful, soulful voice and his ability to convey emotion, especially impressive for a teenager.
The album successfully mixed contemporary R&B, New Jack Swing, and smooth quiet storm tracks. Prince's contributions, especially on tracks like "Round and Round," were noted as standout moments.
Standout Tracks:
"Tell Me What You Want Me to Do": A major hit, earning a Grammy nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance.
"Alone with You": Another significant hit, showcasing his ballad skills.
"Round and Round": Often cited as a fan favorite and one of Prince's great tracks.
"Look What We'd Have (If You Were Mine)": A well-loved mid-tempo track.
Some reviewers felt the album contained filler or that certain tracks didn't fully match the strength of the singles, but generally acknowledged its high quality.
Considered a classic debut, cementing Tevin Campbell as a major R&B talent and a strong voice in the early '90s R&B scene, even if subsequent albums sometimes overshadowed it.
Overall Reception: T.E.V.I.N. was a commercial success, reaching Platinum status in the U.S., but many fans and critics feel it remains underrated or overlooked compared to its sheer quality and impact, especially for a debut.