finetune artist: Tevin Campbell

b. 12 November 1978, Waxahachie, Texas, USA. Discovered by Quincy Jones (or the flautist Bobbi Humphrey, according to some accounts), the singer Tevin Campbell first appeared in 1988 on the US television show Wally & The Valentines, which was followed by a part in Prince's movie Graffiti Bridge. He was still only 14 years old when he appeared on Quincy Jones' Back On The Block album, masterfully handling lead vocals on the track "Tomorrow'. This earned him a contract with QWest Records, primarily through Jones" recommendation. His excellent 1991 debut collection, T.E.V.I.N., included two major pop hits, "Round And Round", written by Prince and featured on the Graffiti Bridge soundtrack, and "Tell Me What You Want Me To Do'. As well as up-tempo dance numbers, it also included a series of ballads handled with maturity. The reaction to I'm Ready was slightly frostier, with several critics mentioning the limitations its urban R&B put on Campbell's expressive singing. He silenced the same critics with 1996"s Back To The World, an expressive and mature outing that included the track "I Need You", cut with Sean "Puffy" Combs. A polished self-titled effort followed three years later, with a stellar list of contributors including Wyclef Jean, Faith Evans and Narada Michael Walden.

Listen to Tevin Campbell at Finetune.

Can We Talk
I'm Ready
Tell Me What You Want Me to Do
Always In My Heart
Shhh