Paula Campbell

While growing up in Baltimore, MD, R&B singer Paula Campbell was known to her friends as Sparkle, a nickname based on Irene Cara's character in the film of the same name. Just like Sparkle, Campbell was determined to be a star no matter what the obstacles. The music of Stevie Wonder, Teena Marie, and Sheena Easton inspired her to keep her distance from the drug hustlers and other negative influences infiltrating her neighborhood and focus on her talents. Studying the liner notes of every album she bought, Campbell collected the names of every record label's A&R rep and cold-called them looking to get signed. After winning talent shows and appearing in local showcases, Campbell released the independent single "How Does It Feel?," which spent eight weeks at the top of local station WERQ's playlist. Her debut album, Who Got Next?, was independently released in 2004 and featured a cover version of Lisa Lisa & Cult Jam's "I Wonder If I Take You Home." A year later she signed a deal with major label Sony.