What people said about Tamela Mann's music that broke her down: ‘I cried’

Gospel

Jun 1

Photo: Tamela Mann/Illustration: EEW Magazine Online

By Beverly Dotson // Gospel // EEW Magazine Online

Grammy-winning singer, Tamela Mann, who recently made history as the first gospel artist to achieve nine No. 1 singles on Billboard’s Gospel Airplay chart—surpassing Kirk Franklin—is at the height of her career.

Yet, there were some comments made by others, questioning the “He Did It” songstress’s success, that broke her down, instantly reducing her to tears.

So, what did they say?

Well, during an emotional virtual interview with June Archer of This Is 50, the TillyMann recording artist, 55, first discussed her record-setting streak, saying, “I’m excited. Words can’t even express.”

Mann’s team had to make her aware of the amazing news, however, because, according to her, “I don’t be reading and looking at all that stuff, because I just try to stay humble, and I don’t never want to get to the place where I’m thinking, it’s all about me.”

The actress, who has started in multiple Tyler Perry productions, continued, “The gifts He gave me, they weren’t easy, but I accepted the call, and He did it for me”—a clever wordplay on the title of the chart-topping single.

While processing this great achievement, the woman known for her signature soprano voice, told Archer, “People were saying, ‘Why is she getting all the calls?’ ‘Why is her songs doing number one?’ ‘Why is this…’ Why? Why? And I cried, and I went back and talked to my producer—and my daughter was working with me on this album, Tia— and I just said, ‘Y’all, it’s no goodness of my own, but the Lord did it.’”

Though many may be searching for answers regarding the naturally shy star’s secret formula for success, aside from divine intervention, she has another theory about why “He did it” has made such a strong impact: “because it resonates with so many people,” posited the Texas native.

“Over the years, when you think of it personally, you don’t know how some things came through, but it was God,” she added during the chat in support of her forthcoming album, Overcomer: Deluxe Edition, which builds upon the original version’s themes of resilience, strength, purpose and the beauty of faith, with an offering all new tracks and intimate live renditions of fan favorites from Overcomer.

Overcomer: Deluxe Edition will be distributed by The Orchard and available as a digital release across all major music streaming platforms on July 22, 2022.

Watch Mann recount the tear-jerking moment below.