Melvin Crispell III is a rising star in the gospel music industry who credits his faith for his recent success.
The Charlotte native is nominated for a Grammy in the Best Gospel Performance/Song category for his single “God Is.” The song is featured on his second solo album, “No Failure,” which was released in June 2023. The 66th Grammy Awards will air Feb. 4 on CBS.
“I still can’t wrap my head around it, “the 26-year-old told QCity Metro. “As a kid, I knew singing was always something that I wanted to do, but I didn’t know [God] would push it to this magnitude.”
Crispell’s singing career took off in 2019 after winning the ninth season of BET’s “Sunday Best,” a gospel competition show. The following year, he released his debut album, “I’ve Got A Testimony,” and received his first Grammy nomination for Best Gospel Performance/Song with his hit, “Wonderful Is Your Name.”
Since then, he has collaborated with well-known gospel artists Chandler Moore, Maranda Curtis and the group Maverick City Music, among others.
Crispell’s journey is one of both legacy and healing. It was music and faith that he says helped him cope with losing his parents, gospel singer Tunesha Crispel and gospel singer-songwriter Melvin Crispell Jr., in 2016 and 2014, respectively.
He said he hopes his music does the same for others.
“I really wanted people to walk away with hope and joy, just knowing that God is in control of their situations,” he said.
In a Q&A with QCity Metro, Crispell spoke on his late father’s influence on his music, his experience in the music industry and what it means to be nominated for a Grammy.
Responses have been edited for clarity and brevity.
First, congratulations! How does it feel to receive your second Grammy nomination?
It’s so amazing. I still can’t wrap my head around it. I’ve only been in the industry for four years, so being nominated for a second time is mind-blowing.
You’re nominated for your song, “God is.” What inspired the song, and what does that song mean to you?
We’ve all known that song since we were kids. Our grandparents would listen to it and just go worship the Lord. I’m glad that I was able to get the green light to take the song and revamp it.
Your late father was a renowned musician who played with a number of artists. How has he inspired your career?
All of this started with my mom and dad, just sitting through the rehearsals and studio sessions with them and just soaking it all in. It made me want to be like them and be the best that I could be.
It’s an honor and privilege to be able to carry the legacy of my parents. It’s a legacy not just about music but one of love, humility and spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.
Your music talks about overcoming pain through faith. Can you talk about your personal experience?
One of the turning points of my life was the loss of both of my parents at a young age. It really affected me, and it took me years to figure out how I would heal from it and how I would move on. It was gospel music and singing that really carried me in those moments.
It was trusting God and leaning on him to carry me through those moments.
We all deal with struggles, so if God can do it for me, then he can do it for anybody.
You’re currently on tour. What has it been like for you?
I don’t know if I’d call it a tour (laughs), but I’ve definitely been traveling a lot. I love being able to travel, meet new people, sing and minister to them.
When people start singing along and dancing, it really lifts me up. It’s showing me that God is using me to bring people together and, most importantly, bring people closer to him.
Recently, we’ve seen a new, youthful wave of gospel music featuring yourself, Chandler Moore, Brandon Lake, etc. What does it mean to you to be part of this wave and see younger generations supporting it?
It is amazing. I am grateful to be a part of that. A lot of us are carrying the torch from those before us. We are taking the gospel and making it our own. Not necessarily changing it, but putting it out in a way for our generation to understand and form a relationship with God.
You’ve worked with many other gospel artists. Who has been your favorite to collaborate with so far, and why?
It’s hard to pick my favorite, but one of my favorite collaborations will always be Chandler Moore. We grew up together, and to see what he’s doing and how God is elevating him, it’s amazing. We work together, collaborate on music and share ideas.
Do any other artists inspire you?
I have a whole laundry list. You have Tye Tribbett and Kim Burrell, Anthony Brown and Group Therapy… I have to include Kirk Franklin, Chandler Moore, Kelonte Gavin, Jekalyn Carr, Dorinda Clark-Cole, Karen Clark Sheard, Kierra Sheard, Steffany Gretzinger, and Elevation Worship andTribl Worship are two of my favorite groups. There are so many people and groups that I love and find inspiration from.
I consider them my heroes. Some of them I’ve worked with. I’ve taken the time to study all of their music to become a better artist and — one day — a producer, myself.
What’s the most difficult thing about the industry?
Knowing who to trust is a big thing. You have to be careful who you share your ideas with. You have to be discerning and ask God who to trust and who not to. Another thing is that because we travel a lot, we don’t get to be home for church.
What part do you enjoy the most?
Being able to meet some of my heroes, artists that I grew up listening to. Some of these heroes, I’ve got to sit in studio sessions with and watch how they maneuver, how they create and learn from them. I love being able to work on music.
I also love to travel, meet new people and make friends.
The Grammy Awards show is this weekend. Do you plan to attend? If so, what are you wearing, and who are you taking with you?
I will be there. This will be my first Grammy Awards appearance ever. The first time I was nominated was during the pandemic, and the award show was virtual.
I’m still trying to figure out my outfit. We had a wardrobe malfunction. I kinda wanted my outfit to play off the Hunger Games. We’re still trying to make it happen, so we’ll see how it turns out.
I plan to bring my lovely assistant, who is really like my sister, Tiffany Cash.
What can fans look forward to in 2024?
I have a new project that will be released soon that is near and dear to my heart. Last year, I started to put on concerts and events, and I plan to do another one in Charlotte this year.
