Twitter – Twitter collectively stood up for ’90s R&B singer Tevin Campbell after author Luvvie Ajayi scoffed at the possibility he could perform at an Aretha Franklin tribute.
“Someone suggested Tevin Campbell to sing at Aretha tribute,” Ajayi wrote. “Under what rock did they pull that name from?”
Someone suggested Tevin Campbell to sing at Aretha’s tribute. Under what rock did they pull that name from?
— Awesomely Luvvie (@Luvvie) August 16, 2018
That was all it took. Suddenly, Twitter exploded with love for the former teenage heartthrob. From Missy Elliott and Wale to “I Love Your Smile” singer Shanice and Ferrari Sheppard, people weren’t having it.
Campbell and the Queen of Soul’s relationship stretched back many years. On Friday (August 17) — one day after Franklin passed away — he shared an old photo of the two of them together.
In the caption, Campbell wrote, “The only celebrity that made me nervous…each time I saw her I acted like a nervous fan. The first thing she would say to me was, ‘How is your mom?’
“I literally studied every moment, every specific great thing she did with her voice. The queen was/is everything to me.”
The only celebrity that made me nervous…each time I saw her I acted like a nervous fan. The first thing she would say to me was “How is your mom?” I literally studied every movement, every specific great thing she did with her voice. This queen was/is everything to me. 🙏🏾 pic.twitter.com/pKBg7V2Cps
— Tevin Campbell (@tevincampbelll) August 18, 2018
The young musical prodigy released his platinum-selling debut, T.E.V.I.N., in 1991 and followed up with 1993’s I’m Ready, which produced the No. 1 single “Can We Talk.” That album went on to be certified double-platinum by the RIAA.
Throughout the ’90s, Campbell remained a mainstay on the R&B charts. His last full-length album, Another Way, was released in 2005.
Despite his relatively low profile over the last several years, people evidently still love some Tevin Campbell.
Check out some of the best Twitter reactions below.
Lord have we gotten so far way from real R&B that people done forgot real sanging & questioning who @tevincampbelll is😳 Tevin had bops before y’all was saying Issa bop😂 pic.twitter.com/i8bFubzE6C
— Missy Elliott (@MissyElliott) August 17, 2018
No Tevin Campbell slander shall prosper .
— Wale (@Wale) August 17, 2018
Im not dealing with ANY Tevin Campbell slander. You hear me?
— Shanice (@Shaniceonline) August 17, 2018
In my opinion, Tevin Campbell was better than Frank Ocean. Tevin wasn’t pretentious.
— 🌹 Ferrari Sheppard (@stopbeingfamous) August 17, 2018
As they should… correct me if I’m wrong but wasn’t Tevin Campbell co-signed by Prince & Quincy Jones? They did records with him? https://t.co/kjFFS2Pk31
— The Old Man (@oldmanebro) August 18, 2018
We’re not about to tolerate to Tevin Campbell slander when he was handing out bop after bop pic.twitter.com/e58H8JL1Ja
— 𝐾𝑎𝑦𝑙𝑎 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑒 (@Maria_Giesela) August 17, 2018
Tevin Campbell can sang better that 98% of your faves, and do it effortlessly pic.twitter.com/fMnr8wmQ6x
— Chris Consigliere (@Consiglie1Chris) August 17, 2018
#BlackTwitter when they saw the Tevin Campbell slander… pic.twitter.com/G6scLKGn6R
— P. Against The World (@chillin662) August 17, 2018
I still remember the episode of Fresh Prince when Tevin Campbell sung happy birthday to Ashley and she fainted 😂😂😂 every young girl was in love with him… how do you not know who he is 🙄 pic.twitter.com/VvxdEE6Lon
— BLAXK QUEEN ✊🏽👸🏽 (@Cam_iamshe) August 17, 2018
We’re not about to tolerate to Tevin Campbell slander when he was handing out bop after bop pic.twitter.com/e58H8JL1Ja
— 𝐾𝑎𝑦𝑙𝑎 𝑀𝑎𝑟𝑖𝑒 (@Maria_Giesela) August 17, 2018
I come back from cleaning the kitchen to find a a battlefield on here over Tevin Campbell. My goodness. pic.twitter.com/Dyaoqafpyr
— ReBecca Theodore-Vachon (@FilmFatale_NYC) August 17, 2018
Tevin Campbell was good enough for Prince. Few co-signs matter in perpetuity. Prince’s does.
— I’m Gary (@noyokono) August 17, 2018
Tevin Campbell’s range is damned near 5 octaves. He stopped performing but he’s writing half the songs you love and yet….
— ❄Mikki Kendall❄ (@Karnythia) August 17, 2018
About a year ago Tyler Perry hired/invited Tevin Campbell to sing at our wrap party. Chile, I dropped all my food and went up to the stage like…everybody was in awe and jammin’! A beautiful soul and voice. Still. pic.twitter.com/zf9EmBdbX9
— Tika Sumpter (@iamtikasumpter) August 18, 2018
Why is American Twitter talking about Tevin Campbell all of a sudden? Did everyone just get a brief, lucid moment where real singers are recognised again?
— Bongani (@Bongani_md) August 18, 2018
Tevin Campbell: Can we talk…… For a minute
10 year old me: Girl I want to know your name pic.twitter.com/s5VO78Gh9c
— Fungai Mbofana (@funmbofs) August 18, 2018
Wait…WHO IN THE HELL was trying to slander Tevin Campbell?! pic.twitter.com/dgjLwfKnyo
— La Princesa del Prosecco 🥂🍾 (@AwesomestOn3) August 17, 2018
You’re kidding, right? There will be no Tevin Campbell slander or slighting, EVER. Delete this. https://t.co/8ZanZW4Mbv
— Elgin Charles (@ElginCharles) August 17, 2018
Source: Hip Hop DX