“ Don’t Go ,” a track from My Life co-written by Evans and produced by Combs and renowned musician and producer Chucky Thompson, is known for its clever fusion of the teary cries of Guy’s “Goodbye Love” with Debarge’s equally-somber ‘80s gem “Stay with Me.”Ī peek behind the curtain reveals the subtle recreation of “ Speak To My Heart ” from The New York Restoration Choir’s I See a World album at the emotional ballad’s tale end, and epitomizes the extensive knowledge of gospel music that Evans brought to the table. After attracting the attention of Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, a rising cultural hitmaker and shaper, Evans got the opportunity to employ her God-given songwriting ability on numerous projects, most notably Usher ’s eponymous debut album and Mary J. Conceived out of the deep love for her husband and rap phenom Christopher “The Notorious B.I.G.” Wallace, Evans turned spiritual cries into romantic yearns, delivering a successful gospel-infused R&B formula that would inspire artists to pursue the same artistic route in the years to come.Įvans started singing in church at an early age, shocking the congregation of Emmanuel Baptist Church in her hometown of Newark, Jersey with her angelic voice. 29, 1995, under Bad Boy Records, Faith is a music rarity that sonically entwined Evans’ innate gospel foundation with the modern R&B sounds of the time. On the soaring opener of her debut album, Faith, Faith Evans belts, “I have the faith that can move any mountain / Faith that can conquer anything.” This inspirational declaration is seen as a statement toward not just her faith in God but also in her relationship and then-rising stardom as an artist.