In “Masters of the Game,” Erica Campbell explains why she doesn’t let her opponents dictate her sound

In our recent interview with gospel legend Erika Campbell on Masters of the Game, she explained that her music was not at all times churchy enough for all members of the church community. At times, her solo work or work with the duo Mary Mary was a bit too pop for some church people. We also know the way oriented church people will be to gospel music. You need to hit the right notes and praise God in the right way, otherwise they will not have an interest. Sometimes Campbell’s music moved people in the flawed way. And sometimes they said it to her face.

Campbell once said that in a single memorable moment in our interview, she was singing in an Atlanta church and when she finished, she sat in the front row. “The pastor gets up,” she said, “and says, ‘Well, that was cute. Where is my singer? Will my singer sing?”

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Shade! “It was sweet”??? Wow. It’s easy to say that Campbell must have ignored it, and yes, in that moment she just kept her composure and maintained her dignity. She said she “sat down, smiled and sat just a little taller. And then he sold platinum and won a Grammy.” But she couldn’t ignore it completely. The opinion of church people is essential to her, so it was a painful moment. She said she felt hurt and offended. But what was more essential to her was that she would never let anyone else resolve the sound of her music.

“I think when you hear they’re not going to like it, they’re not going to like it… I started asking, ‘Who are they?’” she said. “And why did we give them a lot power? Do I live for them? Or God? Am I attempting to serve him? Am I trying to achieve people in other places, with different cultures and different lifestyles, or am I just attempting to be sure you’re all completely happy? So I can not get the best version of myself? Because I just made you my God.