Faith Evans Nominates Her "Tears Of Joy" For A GRAMMY
Faith Evans has faith in GRAMMY voters but not their sanity. The celebrated R&B singer/songwriter has been nominated for six GRAMMY awards in her career and says another nomination is in order, that is, if the Academy isn't "crazy."
Evans is no stranger to GRAMMY pressure and hoopla. In 1998 she, along with Diddy, took home the award for Best Rap Performance By Duo Or Group for "I'll Be Missing You". While she has been nominated several times since, she has yet to take home another GRAMMY.
When asked who she thinks deserves a nod this year in the R&B categories, Evans pointed to herself.
"Normally I wouldn't say this, but I think I should be nominated," she told CBS Local, with a laugh. "It feels funny saying that about myself. But my first single 'Tears of Joy' from Faith Evans R&B Divas album is just one of those songs. If I'm not nominated, the song writer Claude Kelly should be. It's just a great timeless R&B record. It puts me in the mind of Gladys Knight meets Aretha Franklin."
For her final appeal, which she delivered with a chuckle, the GRAMMY veteran emphasized songwriter Claude Kelly's contribution.
"You ain't got to give me props, but it's just a great song," she continued. "I think they would be crazy if they don't nominate the songwriters of 'Tears of Joy' for a GRAMMY this year."
Faith's latest album, R&B Divas hit stands in early October and was the companion set to the reality TV show of the same name. With a wide range of powerful voices, including Nicci Gilbert, Monifah Carter, Syleena Johnson and Keke Wyatt, Fantasia and Kelly Price--Evans had compared the set to Waiting To Exhale,” the popular 1995 soundtrack album.
Last month “Tears of Joy” cracked the Top 10 on Urban AC radio play charts. As previously reported by CBS Local, Faith explained how she connected with songwriter Claude Kelly for the song.
“Claude Kelly tweeted months ago: ‘Somebody tell Faith Evans I love her I want to work with her’,” she said. “Two weeks later, we were in the studio and he played me this song and I’m like, Oh my god this is amazing I need this record.”
On Wednesday (December 5), the GRAMMY nominations will be announced live in Nashville, TN.
Along with the nominations, there will be performances by artists from a broad range of genres, including rock band fun. R&B star Ne-Yo as well as pop act Maroon 5, country singer Luke Bryan and Taylor Swift, who will also serve as the evening's host.
Watch the show live on December 5 at 10 pm ET/PT on CBS to find out Faith received her GRAMMY nod or if the voters are "crazy," as she playfully suggested they'd be if "Tears Of Joy" is overlooked.
-Erik Parker, CBS Local
