Today we’d like to introduce you to Paula Champion.
Paula Champion got her start singing at her father’s church in Cleveland, Ohio where her mother was the choir director. In addition to other credits, features, performances, & television appearances, Paula Champion tours in the States & abroad with various artists, & has worked with multi-platinum super-producers Pharrell Williams & Chad Hugo from N.E.R.D./The Neptune’s, Kuk Harrell (Rhianna, Justin Bieber, etc.), Tricky Stewart, Laney Stewart, & has appeared on The Mo’Nique show, The Triumph Awards, & TV-One’s “Verses & Flows” with the house band as a background vocalist.
She has also worked with acclaimed actor/singer, Tyrese, Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter/producer, Ne-Yo, India. Arie, the late-great, R&B superstar Gerald LeVert, Grammy Nominated, Angie Stone, Grammy Award Winning Lalah Hathaway, Robert Glasper, Benito Gonzalez, Cory Henry, Kevin Whalum, Avery*Sunshine, Nivea, Raheem DeVaughn, Anthony David, & Algebra; and she’s also been featured on &/or has written on projects with R&B singers, Aaron Hall & Chante Moore, & worked with Grammy-winning gospel producer, Aaron Lindsey; and, Grammy-nominated producers Eric Dawkins, & Roger Ryan along with many other producers & artists in Mainstream, Jazz, Soul, R&B, & Gospel. Paula has been a guest speaker & vocalist at Berklee College of Music in Boston & Spellman College in Atlanta, Georgia.
In 2013, Paula became a Top 6 contestant on B.E.T.’s talent competition, “Sunday Best” & in 2014 she released her jazzy inspirational debut single “All I Need” in the States & the UK. Following the success of “All I Need”, in 2016, she released her Holiday Jazz debut, “What a Wonderful World”, made famous by Louis Armstrong. At the top of 2018, she signed an exclusive distribution deal with IndieBlue/eOne to release her debut Jazz/Soul EP, “My World”, & charted among some of Jazz’s most notable names.
In summation, while Paula’s lower register & warm, mellow, jazz, soul & gospel colored vocals continue to establish her in the hearts of Jazz, Soul, Mainstream, & Gospel peers alike, her primary focus & most crowning achievement is the joy she gets from being a loving mother to her two sons, Isaiah & Michael.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I can honestly say that I am blessed in my career. I’ve worked with so many amazing & brilliant creatives all of my career. Especially after leaving music to stay home & raise my sons. The industry isn’t always so gracious to allow you to return & jump right back in after so many years away. I’m grateful that as soon as I came back to music, it came back to me, & I haven’t stopped working since. It’s been a beautiful progression. Layers of elevation at a time that I can evolve into & navigate through efficiently until the next level surfaces.
The road is never smooth, but that’s how you grow thick skin. This game/industry isn’t for the faint of heart. Only the strong survive, & even they struggle to find their way sometimes within this viral/streaming age.
However, I can genuinely say music has been really good to me.
We’d love to hear more about your work.
I am a vocalist. I am primarily a Jazz/Soul singer Artistically. However, I’m very fortunate to get calls that are within all genres. Which is fantastic because I don’t believe in genres. I believe in music. Lionel Richie once said, “Talent is a God-given gift, not a category.” I ascribe to that same belief. With conviction. Because I have sung anywhere from Faith-Based (CCM & Gospel) music to Jazz, Soul, Reggae, Rock, Classical, POP, & R&B.
They are all expressed within & without specific cadences. Yet, country for country, stage for stage, “genre” for “genre”, I have watched the power of music invade the most complex moments, soften the most callous hearts, & heal the most broken souls. How can that be a genre?
What were you like growing up?
Wow! Lol, great question. I was an introvert growing up. I grew up as a PK (Pastors Kid)… I loved my parents & I was/am a Daddy’s girl & Momma’s girl. I stayed close to both of them all the time. I’m not much different now. I’m still an introvert, & I am super close to my two sons, my Mom (my Dad transitioned in 2014) & my friends.
I’ve also always had a goofy sense of humor. Lol, I love all things Adam Sandler, comedy, animated. Or documentaries. I’m a Scorpio. Lol, so it could go either way. Lol
Contact Info:
- Email: paulachampionbooking@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/therealpaulachampion/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheRealPaulaChampion/
Image Credit:
Tony Tyus – Photographer, Yasmin Lozado- Make Up Artist, Carlos Antone – Stylist
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