“I’m playing a much bigger role than I’ve ever played,” Mann says of her involvement in the album’s creation. “I want the Lord to be proud of the work I’m doing and the ways I’m using the gift that He’s given me.  That’s my goal and it can’t change because that’s what I’m supposed to be doing. I’m a child of the King and I want to make Him proud.”

   The first single, “Working for Me,” is a song that celebrates God’s sovereignty. “I was talking to my co-writers about all the different things I was going through,” Mann says of the personal anthem. “Even though life is hard sometimes, we still have to trust and believe that God is working things out for our good. Like the scripture says, things will work out for those who are called according to his purpose.”

   Living a life of purpose and dedication to serving the Lord is nothing new to Tamela Mann. Born the youngest of 14 children in a loving Fort Worth, Texas family, her talent was obvious at an early age. She began singing in church and got her first career break performing with pioneering gospel group, Kirk Franklin and The Family. An accomplished actress, songwriter, producer, and businesswoman, Mann has scored 11 No. 1 singles and earned numerous accolades. In addition to scoring a Grammy, Mann is also a BET Award winner, Billboard Music Award Winner, NAACP Image® Award Winner, multiple Gospel Music Stellar Award Winner and GMA Dove Award recipient. Tamela and her husband, David, authored Us Against the World, which won an NAACP Image® Award for Outstanding Literary Work and the accompanying album was a chart hit. Mann also launched her own trendsetting athleisure apparel label, the Tamela Mann Collection.

   Despite her many successful ventures, serving God through her music remains the foundation. “My goal is to do the work of Him who sent me, which is Jesus,” she says with a warm smile.  “Even though I’m a parent, a wife, a mother, an aunt and grandmother, all those things, I know I was put here for a purpose. My call has to do with music. The music ministry has always been one of my priorities. My hope is that people will hear the songs and realize we have to do the will of Him who sent us, who made us, who created us.”

   The songs on Live Breathe Fight are some of the most compelling songs of her distinguished career. “I am really talking about things in my personal life on this album,” she says of the intimate nature of the collection. “I started saying no. I’m not going to do things that I used to do so that caused a ruckus in my life. There’s a song titled ‘Power’ that is talking about the power of JESUS and how He can strengthen us through every situation that we’re dealing with. There’s another song titled ‘The Altar’ that talks about how we can take everything to God. After you take it, leave it there. I’m not wanting to carry the weight. I can actually cast my cares on Him because He cares for me, and I know I can leave it all there at the altar.”

   That total surrender is at the heart of the song “Lord, I Trust You,” which talks about letting go and letting God handle the challenges we face. “I’m going to live. I’m going to breathe. I’m going to fight,” she says referencing the album’s title. “With the last air the Lord is going to give me, I’m going to breathe and make my life worth living because of who the Lord is and who He has made me to be. He’s made me to be the head and not the tail and live above and not beneath. So, I choose to live. I choose to fight for happiness.”

   In addition to populating the album with poignant songs of hope and inspiration, Mann has crafted one of the most sonically diverse albums of her career. Her signature vocals anchor the album and there’s no mistaking that it is a Tamela Mann record, but she takes some risks musically to serve up sounds people might not expect. It’s the mark of a confident artist who knows who she is and isn’t afraid to broaden her horizons and mix things up a little.

   “I’m doing a little bit more upbeats. I’m doing some ballads, but not as many ballads as I would normally do,” she says. “There’s a little bit of a country feel but it’s still good backwoods gospel music reminiscent of those hand clappin’ foot stompin’ kind of songs. I was raised in the country around country music. My Uncle’s church had wood floors and when you didn’t have a piano or any type of instrument, your voice did the work along with your hands and your feet.”

   Mann describes the song titled “All Things” as having a classic Andraé Crouch/Edwin Hawkins kind of feel. “God can do all things,” she says of the song’s inspiring message. “He’s a promise keeper. He comes through in the clutch.”

   Another of the album’s highlights is “Hands on Me,” a soaring ballad that reminds us God is always with us. The song titled “Carry On,” reminds us that even after being hurt, or heartbroken, life is still going to go on. I’m trying to encourage people not to quit. Your life is not over just because you’ve experienced heartache. Life still goes on. God can help us carry on.” 

   Live Breathe Fight captures the visceral emotion Mann grew up experiencing during fiery worship services. Handling the production reins with Jevon Hill and Phillip Bryant, Mann has overseen every aspect of this new record, pouring her heart and soul into songs she hopes will leave her audience inspired and uplifted.

   After three decades in music ministry, Mann is even more passionate about serving God and uplifting other believers. “I’m just as excited about it as I ever was and I’ve been doing it 30 years now,” she smiles. “I’m so honored and grateful to God for allowing me to have this opportunity and I don’t take it lightly. To me, it’s such a blessing to be a blessing.”

LIVE like heaven is your destiny. BREATHE every breath with purpose, and FIGHT until you get the victory. - Tamela Mann