Living the Life // Paula Campbell

Written by Lande Yoosuf /// Find in Interviews

Empress Magazine caught up with R&B singer Paula Campbell, who is back out with two big projects—her memoir Relentless Resilience and album Rebellious Romantic. You might recognize the Baltimore native from winning first place in Glamour Magazine’s video music contest with Ciara and collaborations with hit song writer Ne-Yo. She’s also dabbling in radio hosting and has her own label with a hopeful talent roster in the near future. Paula is ready to use these opportunities and express herself in a way that not only reveals her as an artist, but a full blown woman.

Empress: Can you tell me more about your memoir?

Paula: The book is an autobiography of my life. I used to journal all the time and I just kind woke up one day and finally decided I was [going to] write the book I’ve been talking about. I just really want to help girls and people that don’t believe in themselves. It’s definitely a roller coaster ride because I experienced so much so young. And I really just want to show people there’s another way, even if you were born into what you think is wrong or what you think doesn’t bring any good in life. You can still come out of it and get through all the pain, friendship and deception.

Lande: What are some of the things you unveil about yourself in the book that bridge to your music?

Paula: I definitely unveil a side of myself that is a person you guys never get to see…a more vulnerable side as well with so many other different things.

Lande: Do you feel your public image contrasts what you write in your book?

Paula: Not really.

Lande: Can you talk about how the album and the book are connected in expression and subject matter?

Paula: The Album is Rebellious Romantic and the book is Relentless Resilience. And the way that they’re connected is through the story/roller-coaster of life. The album definitely speaks more about love and affairs of the heart and relationships. But what happens in the end of the Rebellious Romantic, that person is so relentless and loving and no matter what, she wants to give her heart and she won’t let the pain that she’s been through keep her from it. The book Relentless Resilience supports and talks about all of that in every aspect of life. Not giving up. Just going for whatever it is that you believe in and not stopping at anything.

Lande: A lot of people complain about the current state of music lacks creativity, specially R&B and Hip-Hop. Did you consider those things when you were trying to create your album this time around?

Paula: Not really. This business is not cut out for the person who sings records to make money. People conform to things because they feel like they have to. And a lot of times people who are not in the industry don’t understand how hard it is for every artist especially in the making of it and not getting that mega stardom that you see other artists have such as Beyonce, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Lady Gaga. A lot of people don’t get that opportunity. I guess I’m just a different artist. The music that I love is music that I hear that speaks to my soul and I believe speaks to other people’s souls. That will continue to come from Paula Campbell.

Lande: You worked with Ne-Yo. Ne-Yo is a fellow song writer and he’s seen as a creative person.

Paula: That’s my brother. Any creativity that he can add to my [style], that’s not an issue. To be able to work with someone that great in my opinion. He makes you want to dig and make it more powerful. Your word play, storyline and melody. If you’ve ever listen to a Ne-Yo song and didn’t know an inkling of songwriting, he definitely gives you an idea of what it is.

Lande: Is there anyone else you view in the same light that you’d like to work with in the near future?

Paula: I like a lot of older artists. I always mention Stevie Wonder or Lionel Richie or the great songwriters from my mother’s and grandmother’s day. That music still exists. People are still mimicking Michael Jackson. In the new age, I definitely love Jazmine Sullivan. Beyonce is someone that I always hold in a high regard. I love Timbaland. I just met him and we’ve been talking back and forth so [I hope] something comes out of it.

Lande: You mentioned a lot of old names. Would you consider yourself to be an old soul?

Paula: I don’t know if I consider myself to be an old soul but I’m very wise to my years.

Lande: Do you find yourself mimicking things they would normally do and drawing creativity from that?

Paula: Definitely. Every artist does that. Every artist is a spawned from a different artist. When you listen to my music you might hear a little bit of Faith Evans who is my favorite of all time. You might hear some Whitney, Mariah, some Chaka. These are the artists that I love. You might hear a little bit of Lil’ Mo here and there. That’s my sister and I work with her a lot.

Lande: Are there any other things in your life that you use as motivators?

Paula: My daughter is definitely my life in everything that I do I did for her. But growing up, in my book I talk about it—I was the black sheep. In my family, I was pretty much depicted to be nothing. So often times I think my motivation comes from just wanting to make my mom proud and make her see that there’s always been a better Paula inside.

Lande: Has there ever been a moment where your daughter has expressed something to you about your work that has deeply touched you?

Paula: No, my daughter does not care.

(laughs)

Lande: Why do you think she doesn’t care?

Paula: I’m mommy. When people say “oh my God, Paula Campbell” or the girls at school say, “oh my God, her mother is Paula Campbell!” she’s like, “yea?” I don’t even think she understands it.

Lande: What about your family? You just mentioned your mom…

Paula: My mom said something to me a year or two ago…she was listening to “Caught Up.” And I think somebody played it on the radio in a mix and she was like, “oh, I like this song.” And I was like, “yeah right.” She started singing it and then she said to my sister, “who sings this song? I want this song.” And she was [going to] download it. And I said, “ma, this is me.” And she said, “really?! I never heard this! This is really good, I love this song.”

For my mom to say she loved my music of any sort was just…extremely inspiring. Just inspiring. I don’t think she was the one who initially believed in anything as far as my music was concerned.

Lande: Was that because you had to make a lot of sacrifices when you were younger or she wanted you to go down a different career path?

Paula: I do know what it is but you gotta buy the book.

Lande: Okay, fair enough! (laughs) Well now that you’re coming back out and you have your new album, what’s the game plan this time around?

Paula: The game plan is to make everything connect this time. Don’t go half way, come all the way and then come back. I don’t know if that sounds selfish, but I would love to get artists from the Baltimore, and DMV area. I’d like to be able to help those artists who are willing to work hard and pour into themselves and sacrifice. Ultimately that’s my goal and God willing it will be. This time around, I’m more spiritual. I’m just trying to allow God to [motivate] my steps. Sometimes I don’t know what he’s trying to tell me to do so I just go in my own direction. And I’m just hoping that’s the right way.

Lande: Do you feel like your record label and team are supportive?

Paula: Well the label is me. But the people on my team support me 100%.

Lande: What type of advice would you give for any aspiring artist since things are very different from 10-15 years ago?

Paula: Develop your team and make sure those people are for you. However, in the event that they are not, believe in yourself. And love yourself and hone in on your craft. Use the gifts that God gives you at all costs. Nothing comes easy and if you want it…you’ll have to work for it.