Knowing and trusting God is what Grammy Award-nominated and NAACP Image Award-winning gospel artist Tamela Mann has done all her life. She’s deeply faithful. Her faith is what sustains her. “One Way” is the second single released from her latest album of the same name, One Way.
“I am working as fast as I can to get as much I can done for the kingdom. Looking at the world, I feel I can do more to help. It’s not for fame and fortune, it’s reaching the masses – be an encourager, bring hope, joy and inspiration to people. I believe it’s how I got to this point,” she says of why this album, and particularly the title track, are so exciting and important to her.
She has spent her entire life sharing this message and for her it’s bigger than money and fame.
“I see so many people without hope. I was talking to a lady. She said, ‘pray for me, I am about to lose everything.’ I said to her, ‘Trust God. Believe when you pray. Things are going to work out. Sometimes [God} allows us to go through things to see if we can trust Him. I know it’s painful but in the long run, it becomes a part of your testimony. You can talk someone else through what you’ve been through,” she recalls.
The youngest of 14 children, Mann grew up in Texas and started singing in the church when she was eight-years-old.
Not long after her high school graduation, she met her husband and business partner, actor David Mann and his friend Kirk Franklin, who recruited her to be part of his pioneering group, The Family.
According to her bio, the chart-topping vocalist’ s success encompasses TV, theater, film and music. Her 2012 album, Best Days, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums chart and No. 14 on the all-genre Billboard Top 200. Mann earned the Stellar Award for Best Female Gospel Artist of the Year along with seven additional Stellars in 2014 as well as Best Gospel Artist at the 2014 BET Awards. Best Days was certified gold and set an industry and personal record for Mann. The project spawned three consecutive chart-topping singles including the track that has sold nearly 1 million copie “Take Me To The King,” which Mann performed across the country on tour and on television shows such as “The View”, BET Awards, the Stellar Awards, and on the Gospel music PBS White House special before President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama.
“We may feel we are the only one going through hard times. You are not the only one who has been heartbroken, feel like you can’t make ends meet, or the world is just caving in on you. You are not alone,” she encourages.
When asked if problems go away when one reaches fame and financial success, she says, “The problems get bigger. The bills get bigger. You make more and spend more. Bringing in more money does ease the burden. With God, all things are possible. Having Him makes it easier. My faith and having Him, the Lord on my side, have made my struggles easier. There are always struggles. He didn’t say we wouldn’t have struggles. He did promise to be with us.”
