Grammy nominee Melvin Crispell III: ‘God’s been good to me’

RCA INSPIRATION

Two-time Grammy nominee Melvin Crispell III, who grew up in University City, looks forward to attending the award ceremony for the first time on Feb. 4. Crispell was nominated for Best Gospel Performance/Song for his rendition of “God Is.”

Melvin Crispell III is on top of the music world.

The Charlotte resident will be in Los Angeles Feb. 4 for the Grammy Awards, where he was nominated for Best Gospel Performance/Song for his rendition of the James Cleveland classic “God Is.” The nomination is his second – in 2021, he made was a finalist with “Wonderful Is Your Name” from his debut album.

“That means so much to me,” Crispell, 26, said. “The first time I was nominated, it was right during the pandemic, so I didn't get to go, it was virtual. … To be attending the Grammys for the first time and being nominated, it is absolutely insane. Of course, I do gospel music and the Grammys is centered around secular music – R&B, hip hop, and different things like that – and to be in the room with so many inspirations that are not just gospel, I’m like super hyped about it.”

The nomination is also confirmation of perseverance. Crispell’s gospel composer father Melvin Jr. died in 2014; his mother, gospel singer Tunesha, died two years later. Their influence pushed the younger Crispell to make his own mark.

“I can honestly say it's nothing but God,” he said. “God has been good to me. Thinking back over my life the past 10 years, I’ve been through a lot. I’ve seen a lot. I’ve experienced so much – a lot of pain, a lot of setbacks – but we have to get up and try and try again after every time we fall. I believe that’s really pushed me into being who I am today and I'm super grateful.”

Crispell, who was born in New York, moved to Charlotte with his family when he was 7 and grew up in University City. He was bullied in middle school and bounced between three high schools and homeschooling before graduation. The faith and music communities kept him going.

“That was a tough time for me,” Crispell said. “My mom was battling cancer, dealing with the loss of my father. That was just a lot on me as a kid, just trying to navigate, but it was really all those lessons in my community, my church, that really made Charlotte just home for me.”

Crispell admits the competitor in him wants to bring a Grammy trophy home, but just being in position to snag the award is an honor. He believes it also puts him in position to reach people beyond music.

“Of course, we would all love to win,” he said. “One day I would love to win some awards. You never know what’s going to happen this year, but that’s not what it’s about. For me. It’s really about ministry, my heart for serving God and serving God's people and just being the best that I can be – being kind, being humble and just building the legacy.”

One legacy Crispell’s part of is North Carolina’s music standouts. From Grammy winners like R&B singer Anthony Hamilton and gospel legend Shirley Caesar to rapper J. Cole, the Tar Heel State has a long line of representation.

“I still cannot completely wrap my hand around being so young and being a two-time Grammy nominee,” Crispell said. “It is completely mind-blowing. I'm just super grateful and honored.”

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