ROOT April/May 2014

C E L E B R AT I O N O F G O S P E L E D I T I O N

Issue 16

April/May 2014

ERICA CAMPBELL

HOLLYWOOD’S RISING STAR

FLIES SOLO!

DONNIE McCLURKIN Back After 5 Years

ANTHONY BROWN

& GROUP THERAPY RAISE THE BAR

BRELY EVANS

5

Questions WITH Jawn Murray

PLUS+

WHO ARE THE BEST DRESSED ARTISTS IN GOSPEL? FIND OUT ON

PG10

In this issue

editor's Note

5 Questions with Jawn Murray ......6

It’s so hard to believe that next month Root Magazine will be celebrating 5 years! It seems like just yesterday we were putting the finishing touches on our very first online edition with Donald Lawrence on the cover. Initially we thought that all Root would ever be was an online magazine due to print becoming a “dying breed”, but my dream was to one day see “our own” on front covers of magazines. The Source Magazine celebrate their own Hip-Hop artists, Vibe and Essence celebrate all things pop culture; therefore I thought it was time that our gospel artists get celebrated in the same vain, thus Root Magazine was birthed!

Standing Still & Still Standing: Donnie McClurkin ………................…..8 Gospel Music’s Best Dressed .……..10 Erica Campbell Cover Story .………14 Hustle Hard with BET’s Tonya Moore …….........................................17 The Benediction: Aretha Franklin’s Amazing Grace ………………............…..22 Editor-In-Chief: Hasan James Senior Art Director Fatima Williams- Burke Contributors J. Bolin Bil Carpenter Jeanelle Drysdale Larif Hamm Jawn Murray Carlton Spence Thomas Warren J.S. Williams Martin Williams

Photography Alonzo Boldin Joe Henderson Christian Lantry Will Sterling Ta-Tanisha Thomas

Management Shawn Gibbs for The Firm Artist Management E-mail: Shawn.

TheFirmManagement@ Gmail.com Sales Lashawnda Goffin

Sales@RootMagazineonline.com

Barbara Riley

Sales2@RootMagazineonline.com

Printing Shweiki Media

On The Cover: Erica Campbell is wearing an H&M jacket, Black Leather gloves by Prada and is styled by J. Bolin Additional Services for Erica Campbell Photo Shoot provided by: Hair and Makeup: Terrell Mullen Creative Director: Chanelle Renee

Visit Us On The Web at: www.rootmagazineonline.com

>> 5 years and we are happy to say that we have conducted cover stories on major artists in gospel music like Kirk Franklin, Hezekiah Walker, Kierra Sheard, Tye Tribbett, Marvin Sapp, Mary Mary and many others.

Speaking of Mary Mary, in this issue, our senior writer Jeanelle Drysdale had a little bit of Sister Girl talk with the beautiful, Erica Campbell, whose solo effort was released this month. Between releasing a debut project, promoting the third season of Mary Mary and juggling a family, Erica stays pretty busy. You will get a new perspective on Erica once you read this article.

We here at Root love conversation pieces, so two of the top fashion stylists in the game, J. Bolin and Carlton Spence break down their top picks for the best- dressed men and women in gospel music.

Grammy Award winner Donnie McClurkin, had such a turbulent 2013 that he should have thrown in the towel but he is “Standing Still and Still Standing” on Page 8. In this issue’s “Benediction”, Bil Carpenter dug deep into the archives for one of the most memorable albums in history, Aretha Franklin’s Amazing Grace.

His recollection of the platinum selling album paints a vivid picture and makes you want to dust off that old record player and take another listen.

For the very first time we are excited to premier a new magazine during BET’s Celebration of Gospel weekend and we had the esteemed privilege of interviewing Tonya Moore, Manager of Special Events. Tonya is responsible for spearheading the Celebration of Gospel Prayer Breakfast and she lets us in on all that it entails to put a successful “BET” event together.

As always, we have that and so much more so enjoy another labor of love from the Root!

Love, Live, Life!

Hasan E-mail: Hasan@RootMagazineonline.com Instagram & Twitter: @ROOTMAGAZINE Facebook: ROOT MAGAZINE

5 Questions

with Jawn Murray

As told to Hasan James

Always A-List Editor-In-Chief and Founder, Jawn Murray, is the very talented and outspoken entertainment journalist and pop culture expert that can be seen at any given moment on The Wendy Williams Show, BET CNN, TV One, HLN and other networks, giving his opinion straight with no chaser! In commemoration of Root Magazine’s 5th Anniversary, Jawn gave us his point of view on 5 Hot Topics in mainstream and gospel media.

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3 4 5 6 | ROOT

Biggest Social Media Pet Peeve

My biggest social media pet peeve is when people tweet me and ask me to listen to their music or watch their video link. I think that is a total violation of social media etiquette. I think that artists on social media should generate an audience of their own and organically be able to create a buzz their own stuff. For people to sit around all day long and tweet people telling them to listen to their song, that is not effective.

If anything, you become more of a nuisance to people and it gives them more of a reason to ignore you.

Black Film Award Show Snubs

I have no idea why The Butler got snubbed. I do think it was a gross and negligent snub. As far as actors are concerned, most actors revere the Screen Actors Guild Awards because it is the most authentic representation of your peers acknowledging you, so at least they did get some shine there. However, The Oscars was the most glaring snub because they usually fall in line with the SAG Awards. The Golden Globes however, is like comparing Kim Kardashian to Meryl Streep, one of them you take more serious than the other. The Golden Globes is a very small organization of international press made up of less than 30 people and they tend to lean more towards big names. There have been times when people like Madonna and other big name entertainers who didn’t get nominations at any other show would receive a Golden Globe nomination because they like to have big stars at their show. With that being said, everyone thought that the Golden Globes would at least nominate Oprah Winfrey because they wanted to have big stars there, but it just didn’t work out that way. I don’t know what went wrong in that scenario nor do I understand why Mandela and Fruitvale Station were snubbed either. Overall, 2013 was still a great year for African American film. We had such a diverse array of films that were produced and grossed a lot of money at the box office, which means that we may have more films starring people of color. However, I was upset that The Butler, Fruitvale Station and Mandela were overlooked by the Academy.

Erica Campbell’s White Dress

First of all the dress was a turtleneck that went below her knee and it was white. The fact that it was form fitting should have been the least of everyone’s concern. I heard someone say that full figured women in Gospel have been wearing form-fitting dresses for years and nobody complains. Dottie Peoples, Tamela Mann, and Kim Burrell, all wear form-fitting dresses, but because they’re women who are considered to be plus-size, people don’t look at them in the same vain as they do Erica; who is a little bit more in shape and has more definable curves. So I did not understand all of the hoopla. I think most of the backlash came from conservative preachers who could not wear that dress even if they chose and it also came from people who probably have not been to church in many years, so don’t understand that church culture has evolved. This isn’t your grandmother wearing paisley prints, flowers and dresses to their ankle. We now have women in the church who are hip, sexy and embody style and classiness, and I think that is what Erica Campbell tried to evoke in that photo.

The Differences Between the Mainstream and Gospel Industries

Gospel is very judgmental. It is a country club type of environment that despite what core teaching tells you, they aren’t always the most loving, engaging, and humble people that you will ever meet. Whereas on the mainstream side, people show genuine love and you know exactly what you are going to get. People celebrate one another and when new artists come into the genre, people respect them. If a country singer decided that they wanted to try their hand at R&B, people would embrace them. When white Pop artists decide they want to do a more soulful sound, the industry embraces them. In Gospel, if you have any mainstream visibility in Hollywood or anything outside of the four walls of the church, it is sometimes frowned upon. Sadly, I have been around mainstream athletes and musicians who have been around some of the Gospel events and they were genuinely excited about being in that atmosphere to celebrate their faith, and when they meet some of them they are completely turned off. I have been in heated discussions with several Gospel artists over the judgment of people based on their profession. I tell people all the time that your work in mainstream entertainment is not indicative of your relationship with God. I can name 10 R&B singers who live better lives than 10 of the top Gospel artists. They don’t cuss, they don’t drink and they actually go to church where they are not on salary as a worship leader. They tithe and they do things in their communities without the Pomp and Circumstance.

President Barack Obama Rating

I would give him a 7. He has done some things that have been extremely historic, the most prevalent being the Healthcare Reform. Even with the few challenges that occurred, Obamacare will be his legacy. He was able to create a program that provides Healthcare for all Americans and I feel as though he is a president who has worked diligently in trying to create change for people, despite the opposition of a Congress that didn’t allow him to accomplish many of the things he set out to do. With his hands tied and all of the political hurdles that he has faced, I think he’s done exceptionally well in trying to make an impact despite a lot of adversity.

l o e.

e t s y n n d t r s d

t

t t e y r d

t w y a e d e n n h

h s s d,

Standing Still Still Standing

&

In his own words, Donnie McClurkin talks about life, loss, fatherhood and the new music that will make history.

Root: Over the last sixteen months, you have experienced some of the greatest losses in your life. Does the song you wrote so many years ago, “Stand” ring true for you now more than ever?

Donnie McClurkin: To be totally honest, none of my songs really relate to me in my situation.

The only songs that relate to me during those difficult times are the hymns. Songs like “Come Ye Disconsolate”, are the songs that really minister to me. “Stand” is not my song for me; “Stand” is my song for the world. I don’t know if that makes sense.

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By Hasan James | Photography By Christian Lantry

Root: It makes perfect sense.

Donnie McClurkin: My songs don’t minister to me; they minister through me.

Root: During the BMI Trailblazers Luncheon back in January, you fell ill and were rushed to the hospital. How is your health doing?

Donnie McClurkin: My health is coming along thank God! The bible says he causes your health to spring back speedily, so God is causing my health to spring back and I am doing well.

However, that little mishap was concerning to me but it was nothing for God. Root: A few years ago you really opened

up about being a better father to your son Matthew. Now that he is a teenager, how is your relationship now?

Donnie McClurkin: My relationship with my son is better than it has ever been. I am with him much more and he is at that age where he is absolutely becoming a man. He will be 14 years old in April and he does not do any of the things that I do…preaching, singing or anything like that but I am into everything that he does.

Root: What types of things do you guys do together?

Donnie McClurkin: We talk, I watch him play football and now he’s teaching me how to play video games. He set up my entire entertainment

center…he’s a wiz when it comes to electronics and technology.

Root: Do you see a lot of yourself in him?

Donnie McClurkin: I see all of myself in him!

He looks and acts just like me. He has many of the same traits that I have. It’s like me all over again.

Root: Isn’t genetics like the craziest thing?

Donnie McClurkin: To me, it’s kind of strangely rewarding to see how life can continually perpetuate itself and how you really never die.

When you have children you never die because your children become you. I became my mother and father and my son will become me.

Root: Last August you were uninvited from a 50th Anniversary Civil Rights Movement celebration because of your stance on homosexuality. Is homosexuality even a civil rights issue?

Donnie McClurkin: Homosexuality is a civil rights issue. It’s apart of everybody’s right to live as they please. The civil rights that we have are for all people, atheist people, religious people, no matter what your sexuality is; they all are “Endowed by their creator with certain unalienable rights that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness”. Politics makes it so it is either black or white. If you’re not black you’re against black. If you are not white then you are against white. There is no middle ground because it doesn’t benefit politics. With my particular situation it was just a certain group of advocates trying to get their agenda across, and me being vocal on my views past, made them rise up in arms and consequently got into the mayor’s ear (who is trying to stay in office) and I was uninvited from that event but a week later I was invited to the Kennedy Center dinner.

Root: Were you surprised by their decision to take back their invitation?

Donnie McClurkin: No, not at all. I was not surprised nor was I upset. The bottom line was that I didn’t do anything wrong and I would not allow them to lie and say that I decided not to come. Thank God for social media because I was able to clarify everything myself. It was a situation that became viral and it was on all of the news stations and they had to admit that I was uninvited and they had to deal with the backlash from the church.

Root: Your latest album “Duets” is a “Who’s Who” of gospel artist collaborating with youfrom Tye Tribbett to Tina Campbell to Dorinda Clark- Cole to the legendary Tramaine Hawkins.

What made you want to do an album of this caliber at this point in your career?

Donnie McClurkin: Fred Hammond was the reason! Myself, Fred Hammond and a few other artists were all on the Radio One- One Love Cruise with Cathy Hughes and we all came into a room together and talked about different things in the industry and how we as artists can make it better. Fred Hammond was the one who prophetically said that the only thing that is going to bring heat back to the gospel industry is if we start to collaborate with one another. He said that collaborations are what’s happening in the secular world and we need to learn the art of collaboration ever more so because we are Christians. When he said that it, really resonated with me and it made sense for me to do an album full of duets. I do CD’s every four or five years so when it came time for me to do another CD that thought remained with me and I must say I was a little apprehensive because you don’t want to ask people to do stuff like that because you feel as though you are infringing on them, and you don’t want to take advantage of the relationships you have with people. And then I realized that’s what relationships are for.

Proverbs 17:17 says: “A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for the hour of adversity”, so that’s what relationships are supposed to be for. When I called on all of the artist who are featured on the album, every one of them unanimously said yes and I knew from there that it was the right time to do something like this. Each song that each artist is singing is relative to them, and I literally heard the song with each person in mind. Hopefully it will become a gospel music classic.

harmony are simply unbelievable. So when I hear things like that it let’s me know that gospel music is doing great.

Root: I know you have this thing for Catherine Brewton. When are you going to propose to her?

Donnie McClurkin: That is a personal situation and Cathy would not be happy that you asked me that (Laughter). Catherine is my friend. People always put us together, as well as Yolanda Adams and me but they just won’t put Halle Berry and me together!

Root: What do you know for sure?

Donnie McClurkin: I know for sure that my name is Donnie McClurkin. I know for sure that Jesus Christ is the only Lord and the only salvation for this world. I know for sure that holiness is right without compromise. I know for sure that Jesus is coming back again and that sin will never be accepted by God. I know for sure that righteousness is the way and that I am born again because of the cross at Calvary.

I know for sure that Jesus loves me, that he is in love with me and that I am in love with Jesus!

Root: What are your thoughts on the current sound of gospel music?

Donnie McClurkin: The sound of gospel music is progressing. The good thing about gospel is that it can progress and advance without throwing away what was. There is still a place in gospel music for Mahalia Jackson even in the 21st century. You can’t have gospel music in this century without greats like Mahalia Jackson, Albertina Walker, The Caravans, The Crouches and The Hawkins. Therefore, we don’t just throw our gospel music away. We still play songs

by Thomas Dorsey because music like that sands the test of time and it goes into present day where we see young artist like Alexis Spight and Joshua Rogers at 19 years old and we see Tasha Cobbs and Tye Tribbett who are winning Grammys. The old regime is passing the mantle on to the new ones and now they are at the forefront of gospel music. Myself, Yolanda, Fred and CeCe’s time has brought us to the point where others have got to pass us and we have to become statesmen. So to answer your question, gospel music is doing very, very well. The music form is changing but the message stays the same. J. Moss’ version of Pharell’s “Happy” is phenomenal! His creativity, vocal ability and

ROOT | 9

10 The

Best

Men’s Picks: by Carlton Spence KIRK FRANKLIN’S DONALD LAWRENCE Stellar Award red carpet look is the perfect expression of his personal style, which is mixing unexpected textures and key menswear items that makes a relaxed and refined fashion statement. The Gucci black velvet embossed blazer, the chambray shirt, black bow tie, black waxed denim jean and black boot together looks flawless and effortless.

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understands how to mix color, patterns and texture and has made it his signature style. His “Best For Last” Live Recording red carpet look is from the Vivienne Westwood 2012 Fall Collection.

The navy/green plaid suit is an unexpected and modern version of the plaid suit, which is a huge fashion trend in menswear for fall. His look is bold and fashion-forward.

ISAAC CARREE’S

red carpet look for the BMI Trailblazers luncheon was classic and sophisticated. The custom black/white custom glen plaid suit is all about the fit and the details including the wide peak lapels and ticket pocket on the jacket along with matching vest, complete with a gold pocket watch for that touch of distinction reminiscent of menswear from the 1940’s.

RICKY DILLARD’S VASHAWN MITCHELL Stellar Award red carpet look captured his signature style by way of color and texture.

This powder blue wool tweed custom suit, the fuchsia pink dress shirt for that pop of color, and the multi-color paisley tie, tied the look together.

likes to push the envelope with fashion. He is not afraid to take risks and his Stellar Award Red Carpet look captured his personal style, as well as being on trend for the Fall.

He is wearing a navy blue/ red plaid jacket with an in-built waistcoat and matching vest from Vivienne Westwood Fall/ Winter 2013 Collection. I love the unexpected color block black/red pant and the ease of this look worn without a tie and a touch of shine with the black patent shoe.

Dressed in Gospel Music

In a year that included leather, lace, breathtaking gowns and Avant-garde men’s wear, Celebrity Stylists- Carlton Spence and J. Bolin share their picks and opinions of the Best Dressed Men and Women on the Gospel music scene.

Finish the conversation at Rootmagazineonline.com

Women’s Picks: by J. Bolin ERICA CAMPBELL

models an edgy, copper colored floor length gown on the cover of Hope Magazine. Erica is making waves throughout the industry with her fearless style and doesn’t allow her style to be hindered by stereotypes of what the kingdom should look like.

CECE WINANS constantly serves grace and elegance without saying a word. Spiral-curled hair making way for her makeup to really shine, a simple red gown accented with the silver jeweled belt really embodies the essence of her character.

LATICE CRAWFORD:

This bald beauty has immaculate style, pairing a bronze pants suit with metallic pointed toe high heels; she makes sure what she wears radiates her own personality and taste.

TAMELA MANN TASHA COBBS is a full-figured diva of the gospel industry. This look that I chose for her is magnificent on her body-the cut, fit, and color does just enough to serve class. The color and styling of her hair also does well for her skin-tone and design of the dress. Tamela knows what works for her and her figure.

was spotted on the Grammy red carpeting oozing fabulousness in a royal blue peplum, floor length gown trumpeting outward from mid thigh. She gets it right every time because no matter what she has on, confidence and grace exudes so effortlessly.

ROOT | 11

Root Magazine: Oh yeah I can see it! I see that coming!

Brely Evans: Speak it!

“MY FAITH HAS BEEN THE ONLY THING THAT HAS SUSTAINED ME IN THIS BUSINESS.” Root Magazine: In your opinion, has Hollywood cracked the surface in regard to black actors and actresses receiving more recognition?

’s

RISING STAR

BY HASAN JAMES

BRELY EVANS is a name that everyone needs

to get used to. She currently has a recurring role on BET’s hit drama series, “Being Mary Jane”, starring Gabrielle Union. She also co-starred in the movie “Sparkle” starring Whitney Houston and Jordin Sparks. We were first introduced to this beautiful spokeswoman of Jenny Craig in the 2010 film “just Wright” starring Queen Latifah and Common. She was only supposed to have one line in the film but by the end of filming the director liked her so much that she was ultimately given a few more scenes and a name, Sabrina Dillard. Meet Hollywood’s new “It Girl”.

Root Magazine: You currently star on the hit TV show “Being Mary Jane”, which I love. I also really love your character, Nichelle. How has it been working alongside such great actors like: Gabrielle Union, Margaret Avery, Omari Hardwick and Richard Roundtree.

Brely Evans: They are all amazing. I am sitting back taking notes and taking names. It is like iron sharpening iron on that set. I just sit back and I watch how Gabby (Gabrielle Union) processes and delivers lines, and how she manipulates the lyrics. The reason why I say lyrics is because Mara Brock Akil is a writer like none other. Most of the time actors and actresses feel like we need to adlib or change up whats written on a script but she writes so well and so smooth and so real that we enjoy saying exactly what she wrote.

Root Magazine: Almost like a song…

Brely Evans: Like a song. You don’t change the words to Rihanna’s “Shine Bright Like A Diamond” (She sings the chorus).

You sing along. It’s the same things with her writing. So working along with these amazing actors, I am just being a sponge, so I took can one day be a lead actress in a hot TV show.

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Brely Evans: I am so glad that you asked that question. Last night I was at the 10th Annual Symposium that the NAACP puts on talking about black actors in film, television, and media. We had 14 films in the marketplace in 2013 and that is huge! Overall I think the film industry produced about 11 billion dollars and African Americans had a large part of that. And what that says to the world is that the African American consumer is looking for the African American face. Hello! With that being said, we are definitely making strides. I am really strong about speaking things into existence and at the symposium, someone on the mic said “And the struggle continues”. So I said, “In the Name of Jesus I don’t believe that”. The struggle will not continue because we have already made strides.

So I am looking forward to seeing what is trending in the box office this year and of course being a part of it. Over half of the 14 films were box office hits. I would like to thank Kevin Hart and all of the people that are coming out of the woodworks.

African Americas are putting out good things in the marketplace and I am so glad about my opportunity and I am glad that I am a fresh face that people get a chance to enjoy and that it’s not the same old faces that we are used to seeing.

Root Magazine: Quite often you hear actors and actresses talk about the ups and downs of trying to get call- backs and things of the nature. I know you are a woman of faith so how has your faith helped you in those situations?

Brely Evans: My faith has been the only thing that has sustained me in this business. Sure you get a lot of no’s but I have learned to love the no’s. I put no in my gas tank and go! I need a couple more so I can put gas in the car and keep on going. It doesn’t bother me. When someone tells you no, there is someone that will tell you yes. My faith tells me to be not discouraged and that goes for anyone that is in the entertainment business of not. I’ve learned to accept the no and say thank you because you pushed me closer to my yes. I am one step closer.

I hear actors and actresses say all the time that there is no work for us. Well you’re crazy! I have diversified myself and since 2012, I have been the face of Jenny Craig. You have to learn to diversify when you are in between movies and you have to put yourself out there in a way that you always stay relevant. I am opening a school by the middle of the year. So many things are available out there and I am creating a space where I can share my knowledge with people that are looking to get into the business.

Root Magazine: I know you were in the movie “Sparkle”. Did you get a chance to meet the great Whitney Houston?

Brely Evans: Did I get to meet her? Are you kidding me? I was calling her Auntie Whitney!

She would say “Come here niece and sing this for me”. We were singing together and doing the “Dougie together” (Laughter). Whitney and I had so much fun just acting out. I will never forget the opportunity I had working with people like Jordin Sparks, Tika Sumpter and Whitney Houston. They were all amazing and I feel so lucky and blessed.

If you saw my first movie “Just Wright” that I was in with Queen Latifah and Common; that was also one of those lucky chances because they actually found me on YouTube.

Root Magazine: I didn’t know that.

Brely Evans: If you desire to be a singer, actor or actress, you better turn on your camera because people are watching. Social Media and I believe that it was a stroke of luck that I was able to get a part in “Just Wright”, which was an amazing opportunity. The movie “Sparkle” solidified me as an actress and gave me my wings. Whitney and I had lunch one day and she said, “You have to use all your gifts”. I was like “What do you mean”? She said, “God is trusting you with something and he is expecting you to give it to the world, whether that is album or giving it away free”. When she passed away I was like that was my angel. Last year, I put out a Christmas album during the holiday season on iTunes and I also booked a musical called “Revival”, which is a bible story where I played the woman at the well. Mali Music is also in the film and he plays Jesus and I get to sing in that movie. It’s going to be great!

Root Magazine: That sounds really interesting.

Brely Evans: Oh it’s wealthy with actors.

Root Magazine: You may have people out there who want to be an actor or actress but don’t really know all that it entails. Besides memorizing lines or getting in to character, what other important skills must one possess in order to be a great actor?

Brely Evans: When I am teaching and I have a class of people that want to find out what the key is, I tell them that even if you have the skills and the lingo, learn to be your most authentic self.

I am not the thinnest girl in Hollywood and some people may think that I need to lose some weight but my weight has not kept me from working. I have learned to be my most authentic self and trust the gifts that God has given me. Whether it is my brown almond eyes or my brown skin, these are gifts that God has given me. I have accepted them and my acceptance caused other people to be interested in them. That is the key to most things in life whether it is in this industry or not. When you walk into a room, your presence will command attention and that will cause you to book even if you are not what they are looking for.

NEXT IN LINE Anthony Brown & Group TherAPy

Anthony Brown and Group TherAPy are the real deal!

They have wowed audiences and both The Celebration of Gospel and at this year’s Stellar Awards, as the ensemble had one of the best performances in the show’s history. After being at the top of the charts for over a year with their hit single “Testimony”, is it safe to say that Anthony Brown and Group TherAPy are here to stay?

Root: Anthony Brown and Group Therapy had the best performance in Stellar Awards history at this year’s Stellar Awards ceremony, and you won a few Stellar Awards as well. Are you still on a high?

AJB: Wow! First of all, thank you very much for such a high compliment. Being able to share what God has given me on the Stellar Awards was a true honor. I’ve watched the Stellar Awards all of my life and I never thought I would see that day. God is faithful! And yes, we took home a few as well! It was definitely a high in my life!

Root: Last time we spoke I asked you if you were working on your follow-up album and you said “No.” I have to say that I appreciated that because so many artists make the mistake of going right back in the studio trying to re-create another hit. Do you still feel that way?

AJB: That’s funny! I actually remember that conversation. When I started this project, I took my time.

It took me three years to record it because I wanted to be sure that I was saying everything that God wanted me to say. In fact, my first single “Testimony” didn’t even exist when I finished recording the album. God didn’t give it to me until I was done (or so I thought).

So I think it’s very important that you allow recording to be a natural progression that is led and dictated by the leading of the Holy Spirit.

Root: What does the name Jesus mean to you?

AJB: The name “Jesus” is power. It is the power to live!

It is because of that name that I am...

Root: You are known as a triple threat in this industrysinger, songwriter and vocal arranger. What else would you like to add to your resume?

AJB: Wow man! I’m not sure what to say here. I wouldn’t have given myself so much credit man because I never thought I was good enough to do what I’m doing. God made me a believer! All I did was have the desire to be used and I asked God to use me, and He did!

Root: Of course there would not be Anthony Brown the artist without Group TherAPy. Describe what Group TherAPy means to you?

AJB: The members of Group TherAPy are family for me.

They hold up my arms and support me as I do what God has called me to do. They have sacrificed and followed me like a small church. So everything I do, we do! And my prayer has always been that God would pour out His spirit on me in such a way that each and every one of them would be overtaken with the blessings of The Lord. I said it on the Stellars- Jesus sings to me, I sing to them, and they sing to the world! --Thomas Warren

ROOT | 13

PHOTOGRAPHY BY WILL STERLING STYLING BY J. BOLIN ASSISTANT STYLIST KAYLA BOLTON Red Jacket by Posh Boutique

By Jeanelle Drysdale

ROOT: So you have been singing with your sister for 14+ years. Was it hard to go solo? I know it probably had to be tough?

EC: Well, it actually was not that tough because it’s been a conversation for so long. We have evolved into women that have different desires. The way we run our houses are different, the way we do a lot of things are different. So as we started having more children and vacationing with our husbands, it was always like “well I want to do or I can’t do”, so we realized that we both needed to create something where we had a little freedom, a little liberty. We’ve been joined at the hip prior to forming Mary Mary.

When we were girls, we dressed alike, we went to school together, and we did everything together.

Our birthdays are two days apart, we got married days apart, and our daughter’s birthdays are four days apart, so we’re always planning everything together. We both just needed a break, maybe me more than her (Laughter), but I am very excited about the break. I’m excited about what I’m learning about myself. It was a little challenging when I first went into the studio but it wasn’t fear, it was more excitement of the possibilities. Tina and I had a few conversations that we were not so comfortable with about be going solo.

ROOT: I’m glad you did it, even though it was sort of out of the box for you. It’s not like Mary Mary is completely done, right?

EC: One thing is for sure; this is not happening because Tina and I are sick of each other or because the Mary Mary brand isn’t successful. Mary Mary is very viable! It’s actually quite risky to step away from something that’s so successful for something new, but I cannot allow fear to control me!

ROOT: Exactly!

EC: My husband and I prayed that God would change our circle, shift our surroundings and allow

us to be in position to receive all that He has for us. Sometimes we want something, but we don’t have any tools required to get the job done. I know that He has greatness for me and I want to be fully equipped. We’re supposed to be reaching the lost, and drawing people to Christ, but we keep on recycling souls and I refuse to do it. And if everybody doesn’t understand, I just pray for them and say Lord reveal it to them or if not it’s ok, they can listen to somebody else, watch another show, buy another CD. I’m determined to do what God wants me to do, the way He wants me to do it!

ROOT: Many women feel like they have to compromise their career and what God wants for them and their family and I see that you’re doing both. So that’s amazing!

EC: I think it starts off with the mate selection. My father told me before I got married, besides your decision to serve Jesus, who you marry is the most important decision in your life. It has less to do with not wanting to go to bed alone at night and everything to do with your destiny and your future.

I’m talking about somebody that understands you, can challenge you and speak into your life. If you don’t have the right partner, it’s going to be hard to really get there because it’s going to be a constant battle. I’m not even talking about someone that’s saved because not every group of saved people belongs together. I was engaged twice before to two guys that were in church but they were not right!

When we were dating I was like Lord, if this is not my “He that findeth”, I don’t want him. I believe as church girls, we just want to be married so bad partially because we feel like it looks better to be married and the other part is that we don’t really want to control our flesh. However, finding the wrong somebody can be detrimental to your future, your destiny and your ministry.

ERICA CAMPBELL HAS BEEN SINGING WITH HER SISTER TINA FOR AS LONG AS SHE CAN REMEMBER. THAT SISTER BOND HAS EARNED THEM LEGIONS OF FANS, FOUR GRAMMY’S AND WELL OVER 10 MILLION ALBUMS SOLD. BUT THAT ISN’T ENOUGH FOR THE ELDER MARY BECAUSE SHE ALWAYS HAD DREAMS OF BECOMING A SOLO SUPERSTAR. WITH A GRAMMY NOMINATION UNDER HER BELT FOR HER VERY FIRST SINGLE AS A SOLO ARTIST AND HER HIGHLY PUBLICIZED FASHION TRENDS, DOES ERICA CAMPBELL HAVE WHAT IT TAKES TO FLY SOLO AND LAND SUCCESSFULLY?

ROOT: Your debut solo project, “Help’, will be released this month. What motivated you to entitle it “help”? How was it working with Lecrae?

EC: “Help” was my theme word for 2013. It was very very rough. From walking with my sister through probably the most devastating time of her life, to losing my father, to changes in management and stepping out on my own. Even with all of that I had to maintain my own marriage and household while trying to be in entertainment and my husband telling me that God has called us to ministry and where gonna start a church. I was like HELP ME GOD! What in the world is happening and why in the world is this happening. So we wrote “A little more Jesus”. I was literary standing in the middle of my closet singing “ I need a little more Jesus” and he asked me where I got that song from, and I told him it’s what I need right now. For a few weeks I was just singing that hook over and over again and he said let’s make this your first song. Then he came up with “Help”, when we recorded it, we knew it wasn’t there yet, so we wrote some more verses to it and it just blessed my soul something real good and we recoded and navigated my way through everything that was 2013, we knew that was supposed to be the title of the album. Actually that picture with me in the white dress that got so many people stirred up, was NOT the album cover, it was just a picture I used as a press release to announce that I had been nominated for a Grammy for “A Little More Jesus”. I never said it was my album cover, people just assumed it was. When I got a compliment from CeCe Winans, I knew I was alright (Laughter).

ROOT: That was actually my next question.

EC: I love the picture. I did a photo shoot with J.Bolin, who is a stylist down in Mississippi, and that was one of the pictures, among others and it was the most beautiful. I was sharing the picture with my

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H

Lady Kee

BORN THIS WAY If laughter is good for the soul, then Lady Kee most definitely puts the “L” in laughter.

The Philadelphia native is a comedienne on the verge of being the next big thing in Christian comedy. Her style of comedy will have you in “Stiches”, which is ironically the name of her sketch comedy stage play that has been touring the northeast over the last two years. Her LIVE DVD recording “Born This Way,” was taped in front of a packed house in the Philadelphia theater district last January, and there was not a dry eye in the place. Lady Kee has a gift for telling jokes in a way that makes you feel like you had the experience with her, and if you grew up in church as she did, chances are you did experience some of the same things. Stories about growing up in the church and trying to fit in at the club were funny and relatable. Not to mention the Black Church vs. White Church scenario that had everyone dying with laughter.

With over half a million YouTube views, it is evident that Lady Kee is set to be the

next Queen of Christian comedy if there is such a thing. One thing’s for sure, anyone who will show up at a random person’s funeral, cry and make an all out scene as if the person lying in the casket is their loved one, just for laughs, is someone that takes their comedy very serious.

What an oxymoron! -Larif Hamm

HustleHARD!

J.S. Williams

we implemented a 3-day weekend called “The BET Experience”, which features various concerts throughout the weekend that include: R&B, Hip Hop, Soul and Gospel. We also offer lifestyle and empowerment seminars.

You relocated from Washington DC to New York City.

How is New York different from DC? ‎TM: The energy in New York is much different than DC. Everybody in New York is on a mission 24/7.

The hustle and bustle of New York City keeps me motivated!

Over the last few years you have been at the helm of the Celebration of Gospel Prayer Breakfast and it has been a great success. Why did you decide to do the breakfast, and what is its focus?

TM: I decided to do the prayer breakfast to pour back into artists, executives, publicists and COG’s show talent. So many times we minister to everyone else and never take time to get filled back up. The breakfast is a time to fellowship with one another, get fed natural, as well as spiritual food.

You have had some awesome speakers the past 4 years at the breakfast including Pastor Jamal Bryant, Bishop McClendon, Bishop Ulmer, and Devon Franklin.

Who will be the guest speaker this year?

TM: Pastor Marquis Boone will be the guest speaker at this year’s prayer breakfast. He is Senior Pastor of Fresh Start Church in Atlanta. He is also a motivational speaker, entrepreneur, a spiritual advisor to many celebrities and an author of several books including “Scandal” and “Til The Last Drop”.

What is your mantra?

TM: Building relationships, doing everything in the spirit of excellence, never forgetting where you came from and never burn bridges. The same people you put down; may be the very people you may need to help you get up. Last but not least, whatever you do, do it in love.

In your opinion how has BET evolved over the last ten years?

W

ORKING AT MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR ENTITY LIKE BET CAN BE EXCITING, EXHILARATING AND TAXING ALL IN A MATTER OF A DAY. TONYA MOORE, MANAGER OF SPECIAL EVENTS, KNOWS ALL TO WELL WHAT IT TAKES TO BE STEADFAST AT THE PLACE WHERE AFRICAN AMERICAN TELEVISION WAS BIRTHED. As Manager of Special Events for a network like BET, your job must have so many different layers.

Tell us what it takes to put something like the BET Awards together from start to finish. ‎TM: The BET Awards is one of our biggest events of the year. It takes a lot of teamwork, planning, patience, long suffering and long hours, but in the end it’s well worth it. Last year

BET Networks continues to grow and evolve as the leading network for African American viewers; providing quality entertainment, music, news and public affairs television programming for our audience. Since joining Viacom Inc. and appointing Ms. Debra Lee as Chairman and CEO of the network, BET continues with it’s slogan “We Got You” and currently reaches over 30 million households in the United States, Canada, the Caribbean, United Kingdom and Sub-Saharan Africa. In addition to more known programs of the network including Celebration of Gospel and BET Awards, BET has acquired hit programs such as “The Game” and developed other hit shows like “Let’s Stay Together” and “Being Mary Jane”, while embarking on the BET Experience- a three day festival during BET Awards weekend in Los Angeles, which we started in 2013.

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team to let them know, ”Hey guys shoot it going well, check out this shot and what do you think” and a week later we found out that we were nominated for a Grammy so we used it. Now I have three children, I’m married and I like to eat so I’ve been working on my weight trying to be healthy. I also have high blood pressure so I’m mindful of that as well and you try on clothes and you’re like…”Oh wait I’m looking good”. I felt confident, I felt comfortable, I felt covered up, I was like yes, it’s gonna be so great, right? And then ahh we posted the picture. Actually more people liked it than disliked it.

ROOT: I actually follow you and your stylist on Instagram and the first time I saw it was on his page and I thought you looked so beautiful. But then the backlash came and I didn’t understand why.

EC: I am on social media but I’m not consumed by it, so I wasn’t hunting down the negative messages, someone had to tell me and I still really don’t have much to say because I don’t get it. I’m not the first person to wear a fitted dress! It was really unfortunate. I’m honored that young girls can look to me and say that I’m a beautiful woman although I am not a secular artist. That was really the sole purpose of me wearing the white dress to show that I am comfortable in my sexuality. I’m comfortable in it but I would never try to offend someone or do something just to get attention. If that were the case, I would have a plunging neckline and a short skirt.

ROOT: So what should we expect from the third season of the Mary Mary show?

EC: Lawd have mercy! This season is gonna wear y’all out! I will tell you this…God gets the glory! It is challenging and it is a lot of ups and downs but you’ll see my family come together through it all. People will really have more compassion for us and have more of an understanding of who we are. You will see my sister fight for her marriage and you will also see the family rallying around and praying for her.

We never bash Teddy even though we are greatly disappointed in him. When you marry into a family, the in- law becomes a part of the family. Tina prayed for him and had conversations with him, which I think is beautiful to see because when a person makes a mistake like that, they automatically become the enemy. And if we are talking about living a life for Jesus and about forgiveness, we must understand that God can fix that too. You see us work it out right in front of the entire world, so I hope people watch and are encouraged by it. Then they’ll know why we sing the songs that we sing whether it be ‘Trouble Ain’t Gonna Be Here Everyday” “In the Morning You’ll be Alright”, “I Need Just A Little More Jesus” and “Help”. All of those songs direct us to the same thing, overcoming our trials.

ROOT: Many people would love to trade places with you. You come from a huge family and now you have to maintain a family and a career.

Please explain the ups and downs of being Erica Campbell.

EC: It’s not easy at all. I just take one day at a time.

I’m honest with myself and I don’t allow myself to have pity parties. I do however, allow myself to feel. If that feeling is confusion, fear, or whatever

it is, I allow myself to feel it for a moment but then I start speaking the word. You can’t sing “I’m an overcomer’ and “I’m grateful’ and say “I don’t like me” all in the same breath. Sometimes I wake up and want a day off just to sleep all day, but I can’t always do that because I have too much to do. Even when I do sleep in, the kids get up at 7:00AM. The other morning I was up at 3:45AM because I had to do The Tom Joyner Morning Show. I have to figure out when I’m going to work out, go grocery shopping and still be a good mom. My husband and I split certain things and we make sure that the housekeeper is there and that we have sufficient staffing. Some days I make myself available and some days I just sit at home, turn my phone off and read a book or the Bible. Other times I get in my car and listen to some music while I’m driving. I make sure when I get to that breaking point that I switch it and do something else. I have some really great friends that tell me when I am doing too much, yet they allow me to be me.

ROOT: How do you maintain a strong relationship with God? EC: I try to fill my life with as much God as possible.

I check my social media intake because I believe there has to be a balance. Sometimes I have to tell myself too much Instagram, go to your Bible app and have a worship moment. My mom is kind of obsessed with Christian television. She will watch Joyce Myer and T.D. Jakes and Joel Osteen to death, so I just follow in her footsteps and watch the podcast.

”

That was really the sole purpose of me wearing the white dress to show that I am comfortable in my sexuality.

I’m comfortable in it but I would never try to offend someone or do something just to get attention.

ROOT: The word is so accessible to us now.

EC: Exactly! People used to be able to say I don’t understand the Bible, but now there are 14 different versions, pick one! If you seek you will find. I really think people want just enough not to go to hell.

ROOT: How was it growing up in such a huge family and not having your dad fully present?

Watching the show it seems like you guys had a shaky relationship with your dad.

EC: I don’t know if I would call it shaky, we just wanted more of him and he wasn’t there at specific time in our life. We recently just lost my daddy… well he’s not lost; he’s in Heaven with Jesus now.

Now that’s he’s gone, I have time to reassess my feelings and acknowledge that he was human and sometimes capable of letting us down, but I know that my father truly loved us. However, we wanted more of him, so when he got remarried we was not happy about not being there, even though we

know the lady very well, I still would have liked to be there for my father and I was not given that opportunity, so it was very hurtful for us. When my father got sick and we found that he had cancer we all came together. Daughter, nieces and nephews, we all got in the car and drove four hours away and we were right there by his bedside praying for him.

You won’t see this on the show, and we were able to apologize for being disrespectful, because the bible says honor thy father and thy mother. It didn’t say honor them when you think they’re right, it didn’t say honor them when they get you what you want.

It just says honor them and we were not doing that, so we were able to repent and apologize to him and thank him for being a wonderful father because he gave us what we needed. We needed to know how to pray, he taught us that. We needed to know how to be strong, he taught us that. We needed to know how to be wise in choosing a mate, he taught us that.

So in essence he did what he was suppose to do.

I’m still kind of emotional about it…I actually did a song for my Dad called “Eddie” and I love that song because it’s all about my dad. I think fathers get a bad rap. Some of them are kind of busted but there are some who really try hard and don’t get the respect they deserve. The man is the head and we must honor and love him as such. You’ll get much more out of the men in your lives, if you love, honor and show them respect. I heard a woman of God say that she wakes up in the morning and cooks breakfast for her husband and asks him, “What can I do for you today”? At first I thought that was crazy but then I came home and said let me try it and I started bringing my husband breakfast in bed and started asking him what he wanted. If he couldn’t come home for dinner, I would bring it to him in the studio. This man changed and believes he can take over the world because he knows that he is loved. So if I have to stop, drop and roll for Warryn Campbell, I’ll do it! (Laughter) ROOT: Yes! EC: When my Mom was like that, I thought it was weakness but it was the love that they had for one another. Even though my Dad married someone else, even in death I knew that my Dad loved my mother and I knew that my Mom loved my Dad. Losing my father has educated me in ways that I didn’t know was possible. It made me want to love my husband more.

ROOT: Do you feel like there was anything left unsaid with your dad?

EC: Of course, so much! I put it all in the song.

The second verse says: “If I can just talk to you just one more time, I would tell you I was listening all that time and even though I rolled my eyes, Daddy I knew you were talking right”.

ROOT: What is next for you and your husband?

EC: I think the ministry piece is going to be really great! We love sharing what we’ve learned with others. We also have so many business ventures to come, luxury Hair Line, radio show and children’s books. I can’t wait to see the year 2014 has in store because 2013 was so bad. I prayed about the year 2014 it and I declare it will be a good year for me.

I’m accepting nothing but greatness!

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1. Motown Gospel’s Director of Marketing, Karen Jackson poses with her Sista Friendz Award along with Root Magazine Editor-InChief, Hasan James 2. Leon Timbo and Ray Chew pose with their crew at Milton’s in Harlem 3. Erica and Tina Campbell enjoy a quick read of their article in Juicy Magazine at the NYC premiere of Season 3 of their hit reality show “Mary Mary” 4.Thicker

Than Water Reality Stars Ben Tankard and his family enjoying their recognition as being Power Players in a feature in Root Magazine Tye Tribbett poses with his Stellar Award for “Male Vocalist of the Year” Teenage Singing sensation and Malaco recording artist, Jekalyn Carr poses with her Root Magazine article Bishop Hezekiah Walker and his daughter being interviewed on the red carpet by Root Magazine Charlie Wilson performs during Super Bowl Weekend in New York City’s Madison Square Garden Jonathan Nelson Finishes Strong in burgundy velvet at the 29th Annual Stellar Awards Pastor Daryl Coley lost for words as after his tribute at the BMI Trailblazers Luncheon Sunday Best Season 1 Winner, Crystal Aiken and Root correspondent Ta-Tanisha Thomas Season 6 Sunday Best Winner Tasha Page-Lockhart, at the 15th Annual BMI Trailblazers Lucheon Root’s Editor-In-Chief backstage at the Stellar Awards with Kierra Sheard holding up her first Root cover The legendary Richard Smallwood posing with his 2014 BMI Trailblazers Award Anita Wilson is all smiles and very chic in her black leather ensemble at the 29th Annual Stellar Awards AJ Calloway greets the attendees of the NFL Super Bowl Press Day in New York City James Fortune and his wife Cheryl performing at Hezekiah Walker and Friends Concert in Newark, New Jersey

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THE BENEDICTION If the average African-American churchgoer were asked what female had the biggest selling black gospel album to date, one might guess Yolanda Adams or Tamela Mann. However, the honor belongs to the “Queen of Soul,” Aretha Franklin, who’s 1972 Grammy Award winning Double LP Amazing Grace remains not only the best-selling album of her entire career, but also the best selling black gospel album by any other woman (Whitney Houston’s The Preacher’s Wife was the biggest selling gospel album of the Soundscan era).

Between 1967-1972, Franklin birthed a dozen #1 R&B hits like “Respect” and “Chain of Fools” and became the global face of soul music. Pop music critics marveled at her gospel-charged way she delivered a love song. So when she announced in 1971 that she was recording a gospel album there was much anticipation. The year leading up to the recording was rough for Franklin. Her marriage dissolved, King Curtis (who played sax on “Respect”) was murdered, her father had legal trouble and her mentors – Clara Ward and Mahalia Jackson were in failing health. “I feel a real kinship with God, and that’s helped me pull out of the problems I’ve faced,” she told Ebony Magazine in 1971. “No matter how much success I achieved, I never lost my faith in God.” Rev. James Cleveland, who Franklin knew since her teens, pulled together a choir and secured New Temple Missionary Baptist Church in Los Angeles. Over two nights in January 1972 Franklin didn’t just give her fans a collection of music, she gave them an uninhibited, down home church service.

“For myself I prefer traditional gospel music because that was the style of music that I was brought up on,” she told T.J. Hemphill of Totally Gospel Magazine in 1988 upon the release of her second gospel set, One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. “It does more for me.”

Franklin eschewed the contemporary gospel style of the day (The Edwin Hawkins Singers or Andre Crouch) and

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picked songs she grew up singing in church such as The Gay Sisters’ “God Will Take Care of You” and The Ward Singers’ “Old Landmark.” Nothing was done in the three-minute radio format of her R&B hits. With Cleveland playing piano on most of the session and a loud, enthusiastic congregation egging them on, the songs were sung until the Spirit came and perhaps it is that authenticity that has endeared the album to generations of gospel fans ranging from Richard Smallwood to Donald Lawrence.

The Atlantic Records promotional team worked the album like they’d work Franklin’s R&B LPs. “I had to push hard on R&B stations, not just gospel,” radio promoter Walter Moorehead said in Aaron Cohen’s book on the album, Amazing Grace (Continuum Books).

Gospel stations were asked to play whatever they liked from the collection while “Wholy Holy” was pushed on mainstream R&B and Pop radio. The album peaked at #2 on Billboard’s R&B Albums and #7 on its Top 200 charts. It sold over 150,000 copies within a few weeks and was certified double platinum by the R.I.A.A. two decades later.

“The spirit of this album transcends the notion of an old-fashioned church revival,” Jon Landau wrote in Rollingstone Magazine. “It often sounds like a homecoming celebration for Aretha’s return. There is pleasure in the audience at hearing her do things she hasn’t done for them in years. And we frequently sense that she is not just leading them, but they are leading her.”

By Bil Carpenter who wrote the NAACP Image Award nominated book, Uncloudy Days: The Gospel Music Encyclopedia (Hal Leonard Books) and runs the Capital Entertainment public relations firm.

Aretha Franklin’s ‘Amazing Grace’ Bil Carpenter