What happened to Tevin Campbell is a story full of drugs, underage drinking, and horrible decisions

At the age of 12, Tevin Campbell was featured on Quincy Jones’ 1989 album Back on the Block. A solo career later catapulted the Texas native to the top of the Billboard charts. He was marketed as a teenage heartthrob and was well on his way to becoming an international superstar. 

Unfortunately, the Grammy-nominated singer’s life was spiraling out of control behind the scenes. An embarrassing arrest and rumors about his sexuality would tarnish his image and compel him to walk away from the industry. He has made random appearances here and there throughout the years. But for the most part, Tevin’s past continues to hinder him.

Can we talk for a minute about what happened to Tevin Campbell? Here’s the truth about the rise and fall of his music career.

Tevin Campbell’s mom had big plans for him

Tevin Campbell grew up singing in a gospel choir in Waxahachie, Texas. He was content with singing in obscurity. However, his mother Rhonda Byrd — who was one of the best gospel singers at the church — had other plans for him.

Tevin told the LA Times his mom encouraged him to step out and be a solo singer away from the choir. He said, “Without her pushing, I’d still be in the background.” He also added a tidbit about his mom being a great singer in her heyday. Sadly, she didn’t have someone to help push her career. It sort of sounded like Ms. Rhonda was living vicariously through her son. But that’s none of my business…

With some help from mutual friends, Rhonda arranged for Tevin to audition for jazz performer Bobbi Humphrey over the phone. Bobbi was so impressed that she set up a New York showcase for Tevin. The recording of the showcase was seen by Michael Jackson, who flew Tevin, his mom, and his brother out to Neverland Ranch for lunch.

Tevin told I Miss the Old School website that Michael wanted to sign him to a label, but it never happened.

We love the King of Pop, but this story is sounding a mess already, ain’t it?

Linking up with Quincy Jones

With Bobbi Humphrey acting as his manager, Tevin landed his first major role on Wally and the Valentines. Singer Siedah Garrett, who wasn’t affiliated with the show, saw his performance and was impressed. So she spoke about his potential to Quincy Jones. 

But it would take record executive Benny Medina suggesting Quincy use Tevin’s vocals on his upcoming album for Tevin’s career to pop off. Once Quincy heard Tevin sing, he signed him to his Qwest record label right away. Smart move.

Quincy had high-hopes for his new protége. He said in an interview: “I’ve seen Michael Jackson at 12 and Stevie Wonder at 12 […] Tevin could be just as big a star.” Those are some big shoes to fill. But Tevin must’ve said, “I’m ready.” 

Tevin, his mom (who was then his new manager), his younger brother, and his older sister left Texas behind and moved into a home in Encino, Calif. To get his feet wet in the industry, Tevin sang the lead vocals on the song “Tomorrow” for Quincy’s 1989 Back on the Block album. The album shot straight to the top of Billboards R&B chart.

Solo success

Next, it was time for Tevin to record his own album. T.E.V.I.N. Campbell was released in 1991 and went platinum, thanks in part to the songs “Tell Me What You Want Me to Do” and “Alone With You.”

Everyone wanted to collaborate with Tevin at that point. He was featured on the soundtrack for Prince’s movie Graffiti Bridge. He also made a guest appearance on the Fresh Prince of Bel-Air, where he sang Happy Birthday to Ashley Banks and sis passed out in front of all her friends.

Hanging with an older crowd

What happened to Tevin Campbell is the same story that takes place for many young stars. With success, they gain access to people and places they have no business encountering.

Tevin told I Miss the Old School website he started hanging around a lot of older people in the industry. They would invite him to their house parties. Even though he was 14 and didn’t have a driver’s license, he would drive himself to every event.  At the age of 14, he also began drinking and would frequently drive while inebriated. Um, McScuse me? Where was his mama?

He hinted that he had a darker side in a 1991 interview with the LA Times. Tevin said, “I have done some bad things–things I can’t and won’t talk about.”

We had no clue what was really going on in his life, though…

Tevin Campbell’s star-studded second album

There was no time for him to get caught up in his new Hollywood lifestyle. Not only was he still a high school student at a private San Fernando Valley institution, but Tevin Campbell had a recording contract and dreams to fulfill.

He told the LA Times he wanted to be a bigger star than Michael Jackson one day. He added, “I like the power, the money, the opportunities for girls and girls and more girls.” And I thought that was the oddest quote. It was almost as if he was trying to convince someone (or himself) of something? If you catch my drift. Anywaydoe…

Quincy Jones brought together an all-star team of producers and songwriters, including Prince, Babyface, and Johnny Gill, to create songs for Tevin’s 1993 sophomore album I’m Ready. 

An uncomfortable session with Prince

Even though Tevin Campbell was still a teenager, Prince was ready for the young star to experiment with a more mature sound. Prince wrote the song “Shhh,” which included lyrics like: “I’d rather do you after school like some homework.” Awkward!

The suggestive content and Tevin’s moans and growls on the track had us clutching our pearls. He told Vibe magazine (via Diffuser) that recording the song was very uncomfortable. So he and Prince had to reach an agreement during the recording sessions. Everyone was kicked out of the studio, the lights were shut off, and the curtains were drawn to help a young Tevin get in the zone.

The song was never officially released as a single, leaving fans with no other option than to buy the entire album to hear the racy lyrics. Music lovers also fell in love with the lead track, “I’m Ready,” which landed at number 9 on the Billboard chart. Then, Tevin released back-to-back bops with “Can We Talk” and “Always In My Heart.” 

A disappointing third album & a neo-soul flop

Tevin Campbell returned in 1996 with the album Back to the World, which was produced by Puff Daddy. Sadly, the album was a huge disappointment and it barely peaked at number 11 on the Billboard Top R&B Albums chart. 

Nonetheless, he wasn’t about to give up on his singing career. In February 1999, he released a self-titled, neo-soul project that featured Wyclef Jean, Faith Evans, and Coko of SWV. No amount of star power could stop the album from flopping. It ultimately landed at number 31 on the Billboard chart.

In an interview, Tevin said at the time, he couldn’t understand why his albums progressively got worse and worse. Quincy Jones had assembled an all-star team to push his career. However, when a celeb’s star power begins to fade, it’s tough to get things back on track.

Tevin had experienced immediate success as a child, and to have it all taken away from him while he was in his early 20s was “pretty traumatic,” he said.

He said he knew he had to step away from the business. Unfortunately, his decision was followed by a period of rebellion.

The truth about Tevin Campbell’s arrest

Nine months after his fourth self-titled album was released, Tevin Campbell was driving around the San Fernando Valley while under the influence. He drove to Van Nuys Elementary School and solicited an undercover policeman during a sting operation. According to the Associated Press, Tevin was locked up and ordered to attend Narcotics Anonymous meetings and an AIDS Awareness class. He was also fined $1,080 for the misdemeanor conviction after pleading no contest. 

He later told I Miss the Old School website he was using multiple substances at the time. Because the officer involved was a man, it prompted the interviewer to ask Tevin about his sexuality. He answered: “It’s nobody’s business what I like to do behind closed doors.”

He added that even though the incident has left many people to speculate and spread rumors, he didn’t care what they thought about him. 

What many of his fans don’t realize is Tevin got into a lot more trouble after that incident. He said he went to jail again and did some really bad stuff, it just never made the news. 

So what happened to Tevin Campbell after that? A lot of ups and downs…

He’s ‘TRY-sexual’

Tevin Campbell attempted to keep a low profile following his arrest. However, the questions regarding his sexuality are still a topic of discussion. During a 2003 interview with Sister2Sister (via Vent Radio), he denied being gay but allegedly admitted to being a “freak.” When asked if he enjoyed both men and women, Tevin reportedly stated he’s “TRY-sexual.” Okay…

Tevin Campbell’s brief comeback

While everyone was wondering what happened to Tevin Campbell, he managed to make somewhat of a comeback in 2005. He appeared in the Broadway musical Hairspray as the character Seaweed J. Stubbs, and he called the experience the “greatest three years” of his life. 

In May 2008, he released an internet album entitled, 2008, Never Before Heard through Rambo House Media. But after six months, Tevin reportedly decided to pull the material from online sites.

He made a rare appearance at the 2009 BET Awards, and his fans were sure a comeback album was on the way. But that same year, Tevin said in an interview he had no interest in ever signing another record contract. He said, “The music industry is really not the place for me to be right now.”

The years passed by and Tevin all but disappeared from the public eye. In 2014, he changed his thoughts about being tied to another recording contract. He signed with Spectra Music Group and it was reported that a new album was finally on the way. 

In a 2016 Jet magazine interview, Tevin talked about the release of his song “Safer on the Ground.” He also announced it would be featured on his fifth studio album. But as of this article, the album has yet to be released. What’s good, Tev?!

Tevin Campbell is back in the spotlight

In 2018, blogger Awesomely Luvvie tweeted: “Someone suggested Tevin Campbell to sing at Aretha [Franklin’s] tribute. Under what rock did they pull that name from?”

This caused a firestorm of backlash, and Tevin’s name was once again trending in the media. This time, it was for all the right reasons. Wale and Missy Elliott came to his defense. And producer and director Ava DuVernay promised Tevin a role on the OWN series Queen Sugar to silence the haters.

Ava kept her promise. In 2019, Tevin landed a guest role on season four of the show. He expressed his excitement and gave thanks to Ava in a Facebook video.

Tevin Campbell’s musical legacy

Tevin Campbell was a child star who planned on being a permanent fixture in the industry. However, he now realizes that getting away from the music biz was crucial to his survival. Once he stepped away from the industry and spent more time around his family, he said he was finally able to kick his substance abuse habit. Congrats to him!

The five-time Grammy-nominated artist said he loves receiving Facebook messages from the fans who still support him. So make sure you drop him a line when you get a chance!

What happened to Tevin Campbell is a cautionary tale for all young artists. Nevertheless, there’s a silver lining to this story. Although Tevin had his ups and downs, he’s still a celebrated entertainer. He may have disappeared from the industry, but his contributions to this world will be on music lovers’ playlists for many generations to come.  

Let us know if you’re surprised by what happened to Tevin Campbell and his music career. Or, head on over to our YouTube channel and chat about the R&B singer’s influence in the comments section of our video!