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TYRESE SAYS HE'S TEAMING WITH GINUWINE, TANK FOR TGT
By Janine Coveney

Singer, rapper and actor Tyrese has a new project in the works. The performer says he's teaming with fellow R&B crooners Ginuwine and Tank to form a supergroup to be called TGT, according to AllHipHop.com. TGT can already be heard on the remix version of Tank's hit "Please Don't Go."

"With all the support our fans have given us individually over the years for our distinct signature styles, collectively we felt our fans deserved to hear great music in a way that they could never have imagined," Tyrese said. "I've known these guys for years and they truly are like brothers, so it only felt right to come together as a trio to make history."

TGT is planning an album, as well as a national tour to be dubbed the Shirts Off Tour. As part of the tour, the three R&B stars will hold auditions at each stop to find a fourth member for future projects.

Tyrese's most recent release was last December's ambitious double album Alter Ego featuring his rapping under the name Black Ty. The star, set to hit the big screen in the film Transformers next month, recently explained why he created another recording identity: "Tyrese don't rap, so it had to be an alter ego created. Tyrese do not rap, Tyrese is a singer. Tyrese Gibson is the actor. Black Ty is the MC."

Ginuwine, best known for hits like "Pony" and "In Those Jeans," released his most recent CD, Back II Da Basics, in 2005.

Last week, Tank released his third set, Sex, Love And Pain, his first album in five years. The single "Please Don't Go" topped the urban radio charts last week.

Alter Ego
By Joi Rogers

R&B? Rap? Who is he really? Tyrese Gibson? Black-Ty? Jooooody? Now, as the album title suggests, he admits to an “Alter Ego,” but is it difficult to identify with artists that have so many different faces? How’s this for a tidbit, Black-Ty isn’t a brand new invention. “I used to be in a rap group called Triple Impact and the R&B thing came up first.” Deep. Now let’s get down to business and talk about the music. Shall we?

First things first: On the R&B side of things, tracks like “Gotta Get You” are sweet treats, and may just become one of my personal favorites. The piano and snare heavy ballad is both dramatic and compelling. Lyrics like “I gotta get it, I gotta make you understand what I’m feelin’… But you don’t get it, so I gotta make you see that you winnin’ if you get on my team” are delivered most genuinely. “Morning After” is another production masterpiece. The track is laced with futuristic sounds and doesn’t contain any drums. The sound, in its entirety is very expressive of Tyrese “looking forward to the morning after.” The song is remnant of an early 90’s ballad from a group like Shai. “Hurry Up” is as delightful, and manages a very refreshing melody plastered with beat that loops a dripping water sound atop a grand piano.

Organ driven “Sign Of Love Makin’ Part 2” which features R. Kelly is not at all exciting. I don’t exactly understand the hook. “These are the zodiac signs that I wanna make love too/ The zodiac signs that I wanna get next too/ See I ain't trippin’ when it comes down to these girls/ We are the world, we are the world.” Who is the world? Equally confusing, whoever the world is, what does the world have to do exactly with zodiac signs? Lil Jon joins in and grants his production on “Turn Ya Out.” The song is underwhelming, and the song isn’t nearly as energizing as you’d expect a Lil Jon track to be.

“Better Than Sex” features another very sensational beat where the modern piano dances around a simplistic soprano melody and slow pounding fat drums. The lyrical content however, is boring. The idea is endearing but the delivery is unsuccessful in proving it. Opening tracks “One” and “Lights On” don’t make the grade either. Lyrically “Lights On” surpasses “One,” but as opening tracks they fail to grab interest and pull you into the meat of the album.

Now for the Rap side. I can’t tell from the credits if he wrote all his verses on his own. As producers and original sample credits now read in the writer field, things get convoluted; there is just no way to know who does what anymore. Truth is, I like what I like. The best tracks: “I Salute,” “Get It In” and “U Scared.” “I Salute” is unfortunately only 1:04 but is filled with boastful horns and entrancing, head bopping strings. The song is epic and serves as a brilliant intro to the unfamiliar rap side of Tyrese. Method Man does the damn thing on “Get It In.” Meth and Black-Ty (still having trouble saying that with a straight face) give 1000% on this club bangin Scott Storch beat.

Allow me a moment to note. This Black-Ty character has a very identifiable voice. His delivery screams swag and believability.

Ok, back to the script. “U Scared” was produced by Wali Ali which contains a sample from the Ice Cube and Snoop song “Go To Church.” Sounds like a Lil Jon track. David Banner and Lil Scrappy each drop verses. Scrappy gave a better performance here then he did on his latest album.

On “What It Is” Black-Ty manages to deliver a very tight rhyme. Mannie Fresh produces and lends his voice to the hook on the track. Is it me, or is Mannie’s level of irritation neck and neck with Mike Jones? Hmmm… I wonder.

Lastly, and quite insightful is “Broke Ass Nigga’s.” The introspective track explains his journey into the entertainment business and his disgust with beggars that call him for favors. Immediately following, the outro “Alter Ego” delves into his inner turmoil with his R&B and Rap personas. On this track he battles himself with singing and then follows with rhyme. Both songs are well delivered and well produced.

In closing, Tyrese has always been very contemporary. His newest effort further proves that and doesn’t offer any exceptionally forward thinking ideas. It doesn’t push any envelope. Although the combination of R&B and Rap is refreshing, I am not sure that it will be well received. Don’t get me wrong, this is quality music, but the content, production, concepts, melodies and harmonies meet expectations of normalcy. Perhaps the world isn’t ready for multitalented, multitasking Hip-Hop stars. The percentages of actors or actresses turned rapper, singer or vice versa are staggering. Even as I write this, I feel as if these words are harsh yet necessary. All-In-All sales have lingered around 300,000 units since its release in December, and this album, on a whole, may not be enough to bring Black-Ty or Tyrese to his usual Platinum and Gold status.


All That I Am
By N. Jamiyla Chisholm

People think Tyrese has flipped his bald wig and gone Sybil. But according to the multitalent, he’s never been more focused. With established singing and acting careers, he’s now ready to wet his feet in the frigid waters of rap. Is he hypercreative or cuckoo?

That 16-year-old who famously sang his pretty head off for a bubbly bottle of Coca-Cola did so because he wanted more than what Watts, California had to offer him. After establishing himself as an R&B force to be reckoned with, Tyrese the singer sought films and acted a new life into Tyrese Gibson the movie star. And now there’s Black Ty, a third personality who’s anxious to try and restore hip-hop to what it used to be – unadulterated music. But we’ll get to him in a bit.

Just 27 years old, Tyrese has already transgressed an impressive list of genres. “Think about the first time you saw me,” Tyrese the singer challenges. “It was in a Coca-Cola commercial. And I’m still here. Why?” he asks before answering his own question. “Because I stay grindin’.” After garnering attention from that TV ad, he went from model to MTV Hits host to R&B crooner. He released his platinum-selling self-titled debut in 1998 and two gold follow-ups, 2000 Watts in ’01 and ‘02’s I Wanna Go There. Yet while he’s ready to serve another helping to his fan base (a female flock that has been patiently waiting three years for his fourth album), this time around, Tyrese got some help. The new LP, Alter-Ego, is a double disc shared by the R&B singer within and his foulmouthed rappin’ darker side, Black Ty.

While moving from music to movies is loosely accepted, going from R&B singer to rapper is not. It’s easy to laugh that transition off as a fad, especially since rappers are taking a hands-on approach when it comes to their sung hooks (see 50 Cent). Tyrese is thoroughly briefed on the heavy criticism his decision to rap has received. He laughs at false accusations of him being a “new rapper.” He’s always had a hip-hop jones. Before singing about soda and sweet women, he was in a neighborhood rap group called Triple Impact. Although the group fizzled, true fans will remember the R&B singer rapping a little ditty on the song title “Nobody Else” off his debut LP. For Tyrese, Black Ty had to be addressed. “I’m not doing this hip-hop album to make no money,” he says with a hint of Tyrese Gibson movie star haughtiness. “This is all passion. Passion’s what put me on a Tupac schedule (where) I’m doing six records a day. I’ve recorded up to 350 hip-hop songs in a year.”

Actually, the true inspiration for Tyrese’s venture into Lauryn Hill territory was a frustration with today’s hip-hop scene. “Right now, I think the state of hip-hop is very…I’m nervous. Hip-hop didn’t get this far with these songs that are winning right now. Right now, everything is real gimmicky,” Black Ty explains, emphasizing by snapping to the left, than back to the right. “It got this far from real records, where you feel like you really know who that man is from what he’s speaking on his records.” Then backtracking a bit, he adds, “I respect it because it’s working, but for me I don’t look at that as true hip-hop.”

The alter ego is so serious that Tyrese warns all women that Ty will definitely say some shit that his friendlier side wouldn’t even think of uttering. The album’s title track even takes a listener into the mind of a conflicted man who’s living with three different personalities. On said track, Tyrese the R&B singer is trying to put a pretty song together despite being interrupted by Black Ty. In the sentiments of Tyrese, if you don’t like offensive or derogatory language, then Black Ty is not for you.

But that doesn’t mean that the ladies have been abandoned, because Tyrese would never do that. In fact, he strategically released a new R&B track called “one” from the new album rather than a hip-hop single. He’s confident, not stupid. “I’m not gonna become a gangsta rapper, because I know who’s had my back and that’s the ladies.” While Tyrese attacks his new career as an MC the way an underdog would for the title, he’s aware that an artist who remains dedicated to his core audiences best suited for longevity. In Tyrese’s case, it’s vital knowledge that his R&B fans are the ones who have supported him in all of the areas of entertainment in which he’s succeeded. “I would never disrespect my R&B fans by coming back onto the scene after walking away for three years and doing a bunch of films, then no (give them) what they’ve been waiting on,” he says. “Black Ty is a priority within itself, but R&B is still my first priority.”

With that said, Tyrese is ardent when speaking about his alter egos and their truly definitive personalities. Black Ty especially wants everyone to know that he’s not trying to ride off the coattails and success of Tyrese the R&B singer or Tyrese Gibson the actor and model. He wants his own fame and future, because Tyrese could never sing about taking other people’s clothes off clotheslines in order to have fresh gear to wear. “It ain’t about that you already accomplished. You cannot get points from yesterday’s game. Today is a brand-new day.”

Whether or not Tyrese can sell a dirty image of himself remains to be seen (like his skills on the mic); but he’s not worried. With the support of class act MCs and producers like Snoop Dogg, Method Man, Kurupt and Lil John, it’s easy to slip into an immodest mode. Taking the humble highway, Black Ty wants everyone to know that he’s masterminded it all himself. Tyrese takes himself just as seriously as an MC as he does an R&B artist. “I don’t write all my R&B records, but there’s never been one song by Black Ty written by someone else,” says Tyrese defensively. Black Ty elaborates: “if I don’t know how I feel as an MC, then I don’t need to feel lit. I don’t want nobody giving me shit. I wanna work hard for everything I get in my life.”

Even though Tyrese/Ty spend the last two years grinding on their double disc, don’t for once think the movie star sat around idle. His 2006 film Waist Deep, co-starring Larenz Tate, Megan Good and The Game, was an urban hit. For his role in the film, Gibson was recently nominated for a Film Life’s 2006 Black Movie Awards – A Celebration of Black Cinema: Past, Present, and Future for Outstanding Performance by an Actor. With a Piru gang of Hollywood swagger, Tyrese Gibson probably dismisses his singing and rappin’ counterparts as irrelevant, considering he makes larger and faster paper than both personalities put together.

His acting career will surely take on new shapes and forms next summer when he stars in one of the hottest films to come out in July ’07, a real-life version of the Transformers directed by Steven Spielberg. As anyone who’s tasted melted butter on popcorn knows, the name Spielberg is synonymous with phrases like “blockbuster films,” “big budges” and “bigger box office returns.” This is a long way from the hood classic Baby Boy; his Spielberg debut will undoubtedly be the biggest film of his career-thus far.

Never the complacent one, Tyrese is even stirring things up behind the scenes with his all-purpose entertainment company Head Quarter Entertainment (HQ). Under this umbrella there are plans for seven smaller companies catering to everything in entertainment, from graphics to styling to artist management. CEO Tyrese currently has two acts of his own: LeCreme and Rehab (fittingly, both rap and sing). “In my mind, I’m out of the mentality of employee,” Tyrese explains. “I’m in the mind of partnership.”

Partnership is what it all goes back to. Black Ty needed his voice to be heard and Tyrese Gibson sometimes gets scripts that oftentimes stifle his voice as an actor. So tearing a page from the note pad of singer Tyrese and Ty, Mr. Gibson the movie star is pushing past the screen to that of a writer – to positive results (Universal Pictures has recently purchased a script of his called Extortion). “Basically I took my frustration out about really bad scripts and wrote on myself.” It will be produced in conjunction with his subsidiary company HQ Pictures, and, no surprising, the film’s author will play the leading role.

Stealthy but surely, Tyrese is attempting to eat off of every tree standing tall in his entertainment industry. While today he’s reaching high for million-dollar fruit instead of clotheslines, he same survivor mentality is still in tact. His challenge is opening the mind of everyone else. “You gotta get people over that first hump,” he drops, almost as if psyching himself up. “Whether I agree or not (with the critics), at least they’re talking about it.”


Girlfriend Of Tyrese Gibson Denies Assault, Attorney Explains Incident
By Nolan Strong

An attorney for the girlfriend of Tyrese Gibson has come forward to debunk reports that actor/singer/rapper assaulted his pregnant girlfriend last week.

Gibson and his girlfriend, who is 11 weeks pregnant, argued at their home in Los Angeles last Thursday (Jan. 4), which resulted in the woman placing an emergency call to 911.

Initial reports stated that Gibson was being investigated for striking the woman in the arms and thigh before fleeing the scene.

"Reports Tyrese punched my client -- his girlfriend -- in the arm, thigh or anywhere else are false," said Paul Berra ESQ., the unidentified woman's attorney. "It is true, Mr. Gibson and his girlfriend had been arguing. She became very emotional and distressed during the argument and called 911 in an attempt to get a mediator. Mr. Gibson, frustrated, left the home. My client, Mr. Gibson's girlfriend, who is 11 weeks pregnant, then became more upset and began throwing up. When the paramedics arrived, concerned about the baby, they took her to the hospital. Fortunately, she was fine. Once at the hospital, she was asked by a nurse whether she had been assaulted. She said no. She was then asked what her pain level was on a scale of zero to ten. She said zero. She then discharged herself."

Berra said that Gibson's girlfriend was "saddened" that the incident was being so distorted.

"Mr. Gibson and his girlfriend are very much still in love, together and excited about their expectant child," Berra said.


TYRESE RAPS ABOUT HIS “ALTER EGO"

Although he’s built quite a rep for himself as an actor and crooner, Tyrese Gibson is gearing up to take on the world of rap when he releases his double-album “Alter Ego.” The album’s title refers to Tyrese’s rap alter ego, Black Ty. Though few have heard the entertainer rhyme yet, he tells BET.com that he’s already bracing himself for the skeptics. “If you jump into a world that ain’t necessarily the world you started in, it’s gonna always be hard to have people to open their minds to it,” he says.

While he knows that acceptance from his fan base may be slow to come by, it seems that some of hip hop’s biggest names have already co-signed Black Ty’s lyrical prowess. Rappers such as Snoop Dogg, The Game, Paul Wall, David Banner and Ice Cube are already on board to guest on the project. “I’m not even promoting myself, but you got Method Man, Erick Sermon, Snoop and all these cats that are hip hop speaking up on Black Ty. All I’ve gotta do at this point is make sure that I’m on point,” he explains.

-Ivory M. Jones, BET.com Staff Writer

Tyrese, With Help from Snoop and Game, to Unveil Rapping Alter Ego

LOS ANGELES — There's a reason why Tyrese named his forthcoming disc Alter Ego. The R&B singer/actor/model, who has made himself quite popular with the ladies by belting out sexified hits like "Just a Baby Boy" and "Signs of Love Makin'," is taking a detour from crooning luscious ballads by spitting out some wicked rhymes.

Yes, that's right: Your favorite set of washboard abs is channeling his inner rap star. But before you smack your forehead and groan at the thought of yet another artist wanting to go the route of hip-hop MC, hold up, because this man has some serious players backing him up. Snoop Dogg, Paul Wall, Chingy, the Game, Guerilla Black, Kurupt and R. Kelly have all signed on to collaborate with the budding rapper on his new dual-disc LP — and that's just for starters.

"I go in tonight with [Robin 'Lady of Rage' Allen] and Yo-Yo, and I'm with Ice Cube on Monday and Tuesday," Tyrese said backstage at the release party for the "Four Brothers" DVD. "There's been some incredible momentum, and I couldn't have asked, or even prayed, for as much support as I've gotten on this transition."

The best part, he says, is that none of those cats has gotten paid for the work they've done with him so far. "They all came out because they heard the music, and once they did, they were like, 'Put me on it,' " he said.

Don't worry, the 27-year-old singer won't be abandoning his R&B roots completely. Half of the double album will feature T's trademark sound, while the flip will debut his rap/hip-hop skills. Tyrese is well aware that there will be folks who question the move, but he offered this bit of advice for them: "Just ask yourself one question. Why would these people put everything they are on the line for an R&B singer trying to make the transition into rap? It must be right," he said.

And just because he has a pretty face, don't think this kid doesn't have some legit street cred to draw from. Hailing from the the South Central L.A. neighborhood of Watts, Tyrese saw his fair share of struggles growing up. He and his siblings were raised by a single mother after their father left when the singer was only 4. It was during his childhood that T started looking to music as an outlet, flowing out beats even before R&B started to call. Now he looks to Kanye West and Lauryn Hill as inspirations in defying musical boundaries.

"I've been rhyming longer than I've been singing, but the opportunity for singing came up first," he explained, referring to his 1998 platinum debut album, Tyrese. "This rap thing has been in me in a little box and I had to open it up."

With so much of his musical reputation at stake, the singer is in no hurry to rush something out to the masses, hinting he might even shoot another film before his beats see the light of day. But once it's ready, he did mention leaking some stuff out first to test the waters.

"I'm taking my time, because the music business is one of them things you got to be mentally, physically and emotionally prepared for. You can't just hit the road like, 'F--- it, I'm just gonna hit it,' " Tyrese said. "I'm looking to be the best rapper I can be, and I know there's a lot of people who are like, 'Psh, rapping?' But it's real. All the critics need to do is call up any of the people I mentioned and ask what they think. Call Snoop and see what he says."

This report is from MTV News


Tyrese Hospitalized After Attacked By Girls

(4/17/03, 4 p.m. ET) -- R&B singer Tyrese was briefly hospitalized last week, after several female fans pulled him off the stage at the House Of Blues in Hollywood.

Tyrese was rescued by his bodyguards but collapsed in his dressing room. The singer was treated at Cedars Sinai Hospital for a pinched nerve and breathing difficulties, and was released the next morning, according to his publicist.


TYRESE

What's the fastest you've gone on a motorcycle?
155.

You have 9 tattoos. Can you tell us about them, and which one you're most proud of?
2K Watts because I am from Watts. I founded the 2000 Watts Foundation, and my album is titled 2000 Watts.

Favorite body part, be it your eyes, your smile, your six pack, etc?
My smile because it helped me get my start with the Coke commercial.

So how does 2000 Watts differ from your self-titled debut?
There's no comparison. That was what I was doing back then and it's been three years since I was able to express myself through singing and to put all my emotions and all my experiences on this new album. I've grown a lot. All of my experiences have caused me to grow and what I know when it comes to just business.

Do you find it hard to manage your music career, your acting career, adn your modelling career? Or is it sometying you just put together and do it?
I don't think it's hard at all. I just think, when things are spaced out, I think of my body as a car. Without no gas, I can't go. My gas is me getting sleep. You'll always get the best of me when I sleep. Lately things have been really, really paked in together and I haven't been able to get rest. When I get a lot of rest, I'm really wired and it's pretty consistent.

You title your album 2000 Watts, and you also have an oranization that you founded for inner city children. Was that why you titled the album?
Yes. I have the 2000 Watts Foundation, which I'm raising money to build the first ever 2000 Watts boys and girls youth center.

Wow, how far do you have to go?
It's an ongoing effort to raise money. We just have to make it happen.

So, what is your favorite song on this release?
I don't have a favorite actually. Each song does something for me. I experienced each one of those songs or I wouldn't have wrote them.

The many moods of Tyrese.
Yes, exactly. I'm also looking to have my own radio show like Tom Joyner and Doug Banks. A syndicated radio show. I can't wit til it happens. I'm making whatever necessary calls to people, trying to push that.

What would you do on your radio show?
Just keep it young, fresh, and clean.

When do you think it will be official?
Well, I'm working towards it right now and we'll see how it turns out.

Getting back to your album, what was the best part about putting together your new release?
With everything that I did on this album, honestly, I was really happy that there was a great chestry with everybody.

Do you have any tour plans coming up?
I want to go out in July or so.

If there was one thing you could do for your fans, what would it be?
I want to do a big huge free concert around the country where all my fans could come to.

What would you like to accomplish this year that you haven't already?
I want to do that syndicated radio show and build a boys and girls youth center also.

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I don't know. I think I'll be more successful at things that don't meet the eye.

You were one of the sexiest men of the year. What do you think people find sexy about you?
My spirit.

Not your body at all?
My spirit produces the body.

What's it like being a sex symbol to millions of teens and women?
That is someone's perception of me...it's very flattering.

Do you feel you are a sex symbol?
No!

What's your best advice to a girl that's interested in a guy but doesn't know how to approach him?
Be yourself.

When it comes to girls, what do you look for?
A girl who can be herself, someone who is smart, funny and health conscious.

What do you think attracts girls to you?
My personality.

What's the most romantic thing you've ever done?
For Valentine's Day, I had a trail of rose petals at my house that lead all through the house and garage with notes all over the house telling her to keep going like a scavenger hunt but better.


Tyrese

Tyrese is all over the place! (and we mean that in a good way.) Supermodel? Been there! MTV host? Mmm-hmm, done that, too. Now he's moving on--he's got a hot new album (2000 Watts) and a starring role in the movie Baby Boy. But has fame gone to Tyrese's (shiny) head? No way! The laid-back 22-year-old says he'll always remember when he was ugly and broke. Yes, he said ugly!

Congrats on starring in your first movie! How did you ease into the part?
I didn't have to do any soul-searching--Jody is me. My mom raised me, my brother, and my two sisters on her own. My dad just took off [like the dad in the movie].

Do you have any contact with your dad?
He saw me on Oprah's Mother's Day special and tried to come back into my life. I have a blank spot that he left that I'm trying to fill, but he's not the person who can ever fill it.

You mean Oprah Oprah?
Yes. I'm so close to my mom--I'm a mama's boy! I bought her a fully furnished five-bedroom house and a brand new van, and i gave it to her on the show. It was a total surprise. She cried. Oprah cried. Everybody cried! It was beautiful.

You grew up in Watts, a rough neighborhood in Los Angeles. What was that like?
Watts is the ghetto. I wasn't in a gang, but I lived in gang territory. I've been shot at, chased, and beat up. But I was hardheaded. I was bad as hell when I was young. Bad!

Was there pressure to do drugs and stuff?
When I was 7, I smoked weed. I was doing it to fit in, not because I enjoyed it. Once I realized I could still be as cool as the fellas without doing everything they did, I just stopped. Today, I still don't drink or smoke. I'm telling you the whole story because the message is a little more heartfelt than my saying, "I've never done drugs." I've messed around with them, and they weren't for me.

That's pretty cool...and smart.
Have you ever seen someone who's extremely ugly but confident? That was me when I was younger. I even had an ugly fade with a flat top with a big hole in it!

Um, an interesting haircut, but ugly? C'mon...
You better believe it. I could call someone right now and they'll tell you! But I made the best out of a bad situation. When you're extremely ugly, like I was, you find something you're good at so you can hold your head up high. That was my smile and my personality. I was voted class clown--that's how i fit in.

Okay, we have to ask...now that you're famous, can you get any girl you want?
Girls still turn me down today--it happens all the time. Especially if they're in front of their homegirls. They're my ego crushers! I could meet my No. 1 fan--my No. 1 fan!--and she'll act like it's no big deal.

What weird things have girls done to get with you?
This one girl went to my hotel, like, five hours before I got into town. She went to the front desk, looking good, and told the security guy, "Hello, I'm supposed to be getting a key for Tyrese's room." So he gave her the key, and she went up to my room and got buck naked!

Woah! Then what happened??
I kicked her out...and I changed floors!

Tyrese, are you too good to be true, or what??
I'm not an act. If you like me, it's because you like me as a person. I don't put on any airs! but I do play perspective games on myself to keep from getting a fat head.


(4/5/01, 5 p.m. ET) -- Singer-songwriter, VJ, model, and actor Tyrese makes his theatrical debut as the lead character in John Singleton's film Baby Boy, a follow-up to Singleton's Oscar-Award-winning Boyz N The Hood. Tyrese told LAUNCH that it's often difficult for singers to be accepted in the acting world: "It was a lot of pressure to do the movie Baby Boy. For one, I'm a singer, that's what people know me from, really--singing and modeling. And all these other things, and we get stereotyped when we try to cross over into the movie world. There's, 'Oh, here we go again. Another singer/model trying to act,' because you're taking people's jobs when you do lead roles, and when you do roles in a movie, and they could have gave that role to somebody who does nothing but acting, every day of the week."
He also received the much-needed support of the film's cast to help him handle the project's lead role: "So I went into this with a great mind state, that I'm not going to get myself through this movie, I need to rely on the experience of everyone around me to get me through this movie. From Ving Rhames to A.J. Johnson to Taraji Henson to Tamara Bass to Omar Gooding to Snoop Dogg, all of them. I asked them a million questions, and I was that sponge on the set."


TYRESE AND BRANDY

When Brandy sings "The Boy is Mine" these days, she really means it. The 21-year-old singer-actress has snagged People magazine's sexiest R&B singer, Tyrese. Friends of the two say they have been dating for only the last few months, even though they have known each other for years. In fact, Tyrese, who has had a self-titled platinum-selling album (and doubles as an MTV VJ), was supposed to have opened for Brandy when she toured last year. But he pulled out, sources said, when advance ticket sales for her concerts proved to be too soft. Nevertheless, Brandy and Tyrese (whose last name is Gibson) have much in common. Not only are they both chart-topping singers, they also bridge the gap between the recording studio and the sound stage. She is the star of UPN's sitcom "Moesha," while the 22-year-old Tyrese is busy in his first feature-film role, as the star of John Singleton's "Baby Boy." Tyrese is also no stranger to the small screen; he was discovered when he sang on a 1995 Coca-Cola commercial. Of course, any young man who dates Brandy has to pass muster with her controlling mother/manager, Sonja Norwood. Tyrese, apparently, has made the grade. Only a handful of others have that distinction, including Kobe Bryant of the L.A. Lakers and Wayna Morris of the singing group Boyz II Men. Tyrese's rep, Mary Moore, would neither confirm nor deny a relationship with Brandy. But she did say it would make sense that the two are at least friends, since they run with the same crowd.
"It's a young-Hollywood brat-pack kind of thing," said Moore. As to whether Tyrese pulled out of Brandy's tour last year, Moore said she was unsure of the details. But she acknowledged there had been some talk about their touring together, but plans fell through.Brandy's rep declined to comment.
(thanks to Sarah for the article)


Music

Current albums you like?
Carl Thomas: Emotional
Kelly Price: Mirror Mirror
Dr. Dre: Chronic 2001
Eminem: The Marshall Mathers LP

Classic albums you like?
Brian McKnight: Brian McKnight
R. Kelly: R

Soundtracks you like?
Big Momma's House
Set It Off

Your biggest musical influences?
R. Kelly
Brian McKnight

Best concert you ever saw?
R. Kelly

First concert you ever saw?
92.3 Summer Jam in Los Angeles

Performance that stands out for you?
R. Kelly

Moment in studio that stands out for you?
Recording the song "I'm Sorry" was very emotional for me.

Musical equipment you like?
Guitar, Drums, Piano

Books

Magazines you like?
Vibe
Ebony
Film

Movies you like?
Independence Day
The Hurricane
The Shawshank Redemption

Actress you like?
Julia Roberts
Halle Berry

TV/Radio

Current TV show you like?
Martin

Classic TV show you like?
Good Times

Talk show or host you like?
HotZONE with Ananda Lewis

Radio station you like?
Power 106 in Los Angeles
Hot 97 in New York

Lifestyle

Your favorite city?
London

A vacation spot you like?
Nassau in the Bahamas

Car you like?
Mercedes-Benz

People

A person you were exited to meet ?
Garth Brooks
R. Kelly
Bobby Brown

Comedian that you like?
Martin Lawrence
Tom Green

Artist you would most like to spend a night with?
Janet Jackson

Clothing

A new clothing company you like?
Guess

An old school classic clothing company you like?
Guess

Your favorite brand of sneakers?
Nike

Favorite mall store?
Guess

Technology

What modern product can you not live without?
Motorola Skytel Two-Way Pager

Fox File - Tyrese

Birth Date: 12/30/78
Hometown: Watts, CA
Where You've Seen Him: as a singer, a model, an an MTV host
YM: What's your fave song on your CD, 2000 Watts?
Tyrese: "There For You," written by Babyface
YM: You're known for being smooth. What's your best pickup line?
Tyrese: I don't have any! I'm a little shy with women.
YM: What's your idea of romance?
Tyrese: Scattering rose petals from a girl's doorway to a gift
YM: What a sweet (smelling) surprise!


Tyrese

MTV Jams host Tyrese knows what hip-hop and R&B fans want. But with his sophomore album, 2000 Watts (named for his Los Angeles neighborhood), in the works, the 21-year-old Guess? model promises to shake up the genres' tried-and-true formulas: "I'm going to be singing about stuff we deal with every day that nobody's ever sung about. Nothing like, 'Take your drawers off.'"


*Tyrese

He's good looking and he's got a killer voice too. He's Tyrese, and his self-titled debut album is smokin! He grew up in South Central Los Angeles where music was always his first love. He began singing at the age of 14, participating in many local talent shows. To top it off, Tyrese is also a community activist, playing charity basketball games for inner city youth. Is there anything this hunk can't do?


S2S Celebrate Black Men

Name: Tyrese
Age: 21
Position: MTV host and platinum recording artist
Marital Status: Single
Car: Cadillac Escalade, Audi TT

What physical attributes do you like in a woman?
I like a woman's smile, and a woman who is fit.

Do you find full-figured women attractive?
Yes, there are many attractive full-figured women.

Describe your worst date.
In high school, my friends set me up with this girl. It was a blind date. It went really bad. She wasn't my type at all.

When does a woman cross the line between being sexy and being a hoochie?
When they're trying too hard. Women are sexy with their clothes on.

Are you a selfish lover?
No.

What turns you off about a woman?
Trying to be something that you are not.

What should you do when someone provokes you to fight?
Walk away...unless they flat out disrespect me, like put their hands on me or get in my face.

Would you give up your life for the woman you love?
Yes, if I was sharing my life and a family with this woman. I will allow harm to come to me before I allow harm to come to her.


100 Most Influential People Places and Things

Tyrese Between modeling for Guess? and hosting MTV Jams, Tyrese has been completing his second album, 2000 Watts, which drops this fall. When he's not in one studio or another, he raises money for the 2000 Watts Community Center in his California hometown. Amazing abs and he's a philanthropist-what a (six)-pack(age)!


TYRESE GIVES BACK TO THE KIDS

Tyrese has never forgotten that he was born and raised in Watts, California and this summer he's giving back a lot of what that community gave him--love and support. He's running a special charity event for the kids in the inner city, with his crew of nine great friends helping out.

The crew is called 2000 Watts, which also happens to be the title of Tyrese's nest album due out this fall. "It's all about my life and experiences," he explains, "and have a world concept. Look for it," he begs his fans.

Tyrese, who started out singing at 14 in Watts, says, "I believe in giving back what they gave me. I feel that's God's gift to me. I remember when I was 7 or 8, meeting Tone Loc at a Watt's parade and I got his autograph. I put it away to make sure my momma didn't see it."

From then on, the multi-talented performer knew he wanted to be a singer and his first hit single "Sweet Lady" on RCA Records proved the singer was right.

His July 2nd Watts special event will have lots of name guest stars-"all my friends" as Tyrese puts it. There will also have basketball and baseball games at a park near where Tyrese lived. "It will be a huge thing, with a lot of great performers and performances - with all the glamour and the glitz."

A fine songwriter, musician, actor and model, Tyrese loves working with community groups and assisting inner city kids. He appears at their schools and plays in celebrity charity basketball games and helps out financially as well.


Tyrese To Host Watts Day

Singer Tyrese will return to his native Los Angeles to headline the First Annual 2000 Watts Day, scheduled to take place on 9/3 at a location which has yet to be disclosed. The event, expected to draw up to 10,000 people, will feature children's rides, arcade games, life-size cartoon characters, clowns, restaurant vendors, exhibit booths and activities such as face painting. It will also feature appearances by guests such as Brandy, producer Jermaine Dupri, Before Dark, Flex, veteran rapper MC Lyte, Kobe Bryant, and Da Brat (who shares airtime with Tyrese on her single, "What'chu Like"). The event will also find the 21-year-old singer attempting to raise corporate interest in his dream project, the construction of a state-of-the-art 2000 Watts Community Center, a project that has already garnered the support of Oprah Winfrey (who contributed $100,000 toward the building fund), and Magic Johnson. Yahoo! (www.yahoo.com) will also be on hand to stage a live celebrity auction to benefit the fund. The First Annual 2000 Watts Day celebration will be held on July 2 from noon to 6:00 p.m. (PT). Tyrese's second album, "2000 Watts," is scheduled to hit stores in early fall.


TYRESE

Soulful Watts, California native Tyrese is a talent that first came to us on a Coca-Cola commercial when he was 14 years old. The accolades have been pouring in on the regular. The brother hears everything from "Man, I ain't gay or nuthin' but I really love you, Man!" To "Hey, did anyone ever tell you you look jus' like Tyson Beckford? Is he your brother or something?" He's also a host on MTV as well as an aspiring model in his own right. Yes, he's at the top of his game, and as far as his talents are concerned, not one thing has changed.

"I can't give out any names because we're still recording songs and I've never been caught up in names. So, we're gonna roll with the best music and I think that once we get narrowed down to all the music that everybody feels real confident about then I think that maybe I can say names. The new album is called '2000 Watts' and I'm dedicating it to the city where I was born and raised out in LA."

Although we're known to ask some abstract questions of our interview subjects, so that we can get some abstract responses, Tyrese kept us honest. His last album had us open. So, we were all genuinely curious about the direction his sophomore project will be taking.

"I think this album will take me in a new direction. I feel there's been a lot of growth since my first album. As far as my image is concerned, I'm in a lot of different worlds. At first, I was just starting on it. Now I'm on MTV and recently I started modeling with Guess. I signed the second ever exclusive contract to model clothing for a clothing line next to Tyson Beckford. I'm really looking forward to the second album as far as exposure. As far as what Tyrese represents, you'll see a lot of Tyreses out there ... MTV, Guess an' stuff like that."

In Friday's EUR (3-17-00) we told you about Aaliyah and her debut role in "Romeo Must Die." So, it's only right that we ask him what people are thinking about anyway. What's the deal with big screen fame, Tyrese?

"I can act! I'm good," he said with a grin "I'mma do some movies real soon. But I've learned not to try to predict my future anymore. When I was 14 and I did the Coke commercial, I tried to predict my future, but God had a plan for me that was way higher then I could have ever imagined. So, I'm just going to sit back and enjoy the ride."

Well, that's more refreshing than quarter waters in the summertime. No word yet on when Tyrese's "2000 Watts" is scheduled to drop but we'll keep you posted. Until then, anytime you feel the need to catch a glimpse of him, all you need to do is look up. He's on billboards everywhere


FAVORITE PIG OUT FOOD

Tyrese: I used to work at McDonalds and I have to say I loved my job, and all the food there. I still eat there all the time.


FRESH! Fitness

Tyrese: I pump iron. I work out as much as possible, even when I'm on the road, I try to stay at a hotel that has a gym or fitness center. I feel better when I'm in shape. I enjoy sports because i like to be active.


Tyrese!

Talk about comercial success. Tyrese was a 16-year-old wannabe singer when Coke announced a casting call at his South Central L.A. high school in 1995. He got the lead in the ad, in which he boards a city bus wearing a Walkman and delivers an improbably soulful version of the "Always Coca-Cola" jingle, and caught the attention of talent hunters in the worlds of music, TV, and fashion.After what he describes matter-of-factly as a "20-label bidding war," Tyrese, who is now 20, signed a record deal with RCA. Last September, he released his debut album, Tyrese, a collection of midtempo R&B and ballads that includes the Top 40 singles "Nobody Else" and "Sweet Lady." While pitching the video for "Nobody Else" to MTV, he so impressed the programmers there that they hired him to be the host of the afternoon show, MTV Jams. Meanwhile, he has started a successful modeling career (most notably for Tommy Hilfiger) and has done guest spots on Martin, Moesha and Sister, Sister. His success has enabled him to help out his mother, Priscilla who has raised him and 3 other older siblings alone and now works with the elderly. "She don't have to work no more," Tyrese says, "but that's the way my mama is." He has apparently in herited her work ethic. Though he likes to spend time surfside - his favorite beach, growing up was White Point in L.A. - his only beach time this summer will be at thee MTV studios in the Bahamas, to which he'll be flying between concer dates to tape his daily segments, "I'm going on tour with Brandy," he says. "Whitney Houston came with a fee per night, and then Brandy heard about it, and she stepped up to Whitney's fee. It was a great dispute to be a part of."


What Makes Tyrese So Sexy

First o fall, Tyrese laughs when you call him sexy. He feels complimented of course, and yes, a little proud too that women scream for him and think he's cute--okay, gorgeous. "What can I say?" he laughs. "I'm flattered. And I'm not gonna trip out.
His natural good looks came from God and family, but he works hard to keep his body in shape. "Yes, I pump iron," he states. "It realeases tension and stress and it's healthy to work out, too. Sometimes I enjoy it and sometimes it's work, but I intend to stay in shape all my life."
So, besides the handsome face and great body, Tyrese is sexy in another way, too. He is intelligent and intelligence is always, always sexy. Who wants a dumb guy?
Tyrese loves to read; he keeps up with current events and he's witty and fun. His personality makes him as sexy as his body. Tyrese simply has it all together.


Fresh Yearbook

Sexiest:Tyrese
Sex appeal is summed up in one word: Tyrese. The body, the face, the man says it all.

Cutest Couple:Tyrese and Monica
After the "Angel of Mine" video, how can you not make them the cutest couple? In real life, it's not happening, however


Tyrese Bails On Brandy Tour

(5/28/99, 1 a.m. PDT) - Singer/ model Tyrese has dropped off the Brandy tour, which will also feature Silk and C-Note, according to a statement released by the First American Music Center in Nashville, the venue slated to host the tour on July 23.
The trek, which kicks off its U.S. leg on June 18 at the Blockbuster/ Sony Entertainment Center in Camden, N.J., is scheduled to run through Aug. 2.
According to the statement released by the First American Center, Tyrese was forced to withdraw from the tour "due to his busy TV schedule and commitment to MTV." According to Tyrese's spokesperson, "he will try to reschedule a tour later in the year. No replacement has been named yet," the statement adds. Motown act 702 has been added to select dates of the tour. Calls to RCA Records and Tyrese's manager were not returned at presstime.
Although fans may be disappointed that they won't be able to catch Tyrese live on the road with Brandy, they can see the singer in a concert special on BET Saturday (May 29), with Brooklyn-bred singer Cherokee.(repeat)


LOVES AND HATES

LOVES: "My home boys. I love them forever. They got my back. And of course my family."
HATES: "I really try not to hate anyone or anything. But I guess if I had to say something it would be users. I hate when people use othes for whatever reason."


Tyrese: The Body

Who is the man with the body --- Tyrese. You can see his muscles ripple even when he has a shirt on. Yes, he does work out because baby, no one was born that way. That shows a commitment on his part to be the best he can be. And Tyrese is dedicated to his fans, to his music, to his familly, to his career. He has a strong work ethic that shows through and adds to his sexuality. Whether he is flashing his broad smile, or groping his chin, staring right at you, Tyrese is a man's man and sometimes that's the most sexy kind
{don't take the "man's man" thing the wrong way...he is straight!}


DRAMA TRAUMA

"I was 2 and a half hours late for my Coke commercial audition because my music teacher was the only one who could drive me and he had to close down the music department first. The only reason I didn't completely miss the audition was that the lady who was running it had gotten stuck in traffic."


SPECIAL Interview-In depth with Tyrese

Life for Tyrese has been no picnic and he's thankful for his blessings. His down to earth nature stems from his Watts upbringing, where he would get excited when his homies got some new gear because he couldn't wait to wear their clothes and shoes. This humble start gives him an appreciation for what he has. "The most important things in my life are to stay spiritually connected to the man above, my health, keep things in perspective and always staying in contact with people I've been knowing from day 1. They can keep it real. I need to know when my breath is stinking, I don't need no one lying to me."
His fondest memory is of buying his house at 16, the day before his graduation from high school. "I just had to sit back and do like this (he pats himself on the back). I didn't do no typical sh**, that's the only reason I was patting myself on the back. I was driving an '83 Cutlass with a brand new house."
At 19, Tyrese is an overnight success that has been three years in the making. First bursting on the scene with a Coke commercial at 16,Tyrese caused a twenty label bidding war. Then came the contracts to model for Tommy Hilfiger and host MTV Jams. All of this has made him a multimedia commodity. Despite the circus that surrounds him, Tyrese maintains his grounding. "I know who I am. I know exactly who I am and what I want out of this. The typical nigga that becomes involved in this, is in this sh** for the wrong reason. That's why they're one hit quitters. I'm in this for the long haul."
Instead of focusing on the shiny things, Tyrese focuses on his music. "I don't care, how much I'm on TV and how many magazines I'm in, it's the music that's selling my albums. People love 'Sweet Lady,' so that's why the song is selling. Forget the hype and controversy. It all boils down to the music."
Although he is comfortable with his sex symbols status, he knows that in the fleeting eyes of the fans, he could be hot today and gone tomorrow. Tyrese just takes it one day at a time. He knows that in these days and times, one slip with the wrong sister can spell trouble. "Honestly man, I ain't really out there like that. Most niggas look at me and think I'm hittin' state to state. I ain't out there because I'm scared for my life. There's so much shit about rape charges and catching stuff. I just pretty much keep it at the clubs and have my fun." From professional groupies to the average fan, for a star the love game is more like a minefield.
He showed me a list of states he had been to in recent weeks and there weren't many places that hadn't been highlighted. This is a man on a mission. Tyrese doesn't look to his counterparts in the industry to measure his success. He looks at acts like the Beatles and Pink Floyd to give him motivation. "I just can't settle. I can't settle for gold, I can't settle for what I've already accomplished." He picks up Billboard and checks Pink Floyd's stats. "15 million, 1,143 weeks on the charts." Legends are his yardstick. "It's stuff like this, that just causes me to not settle. Niggas get caught up in one record, when there's so much more out there. I can't get caught up, this sh** could be over tomorrow. I could get out of shape and they'll be sweating the next brother with abs. It's nothing to get caught up in. I'm just hear to work and enjoy what I'm blessed with." Oh and if you're wondering, he still has that '83 Cutlass.


Tyrese: He's the Man In Demand

Tyrese is everywhere! From MTV's latest VJ to on the vids themselves. And now he's a credit card. Check it out!

When you're hot, you're hot or so the old saying goes. And Tyrese is hot. Besides watching his "Sweet Lady" zoom, he is Monica's angel in "Angel of Mine." And he's now got another job besides recording artist. He's a permanent host or rather VJ on MTV with his own time slot! How cool is that?
"I'm happy," relates Tyrese. "My dreams are coming true. I'm working hard and loving it."
Now, there's another deal to work hard at. Tyrese has signed with VISA to do an ad campaign for the popular credit card. You will see his handsome face everywhere.
On the acting tip, Tyrese wants to do more of that, too. John Singleton has sent him several scripts and he's looking at others as well. "Acting is something I really want to pursue," he admits. "I really enjoy it and I want to get good at it."
All his video experience will pay off in that department, no doubt. He seems to be a natural on screen and of course, the camera loves him. When Tyrese is on camera, all eyes are on him. People in the business call it a "presence" and Tyrese definitely has that.
So, Tyrese is the man in demand. But he has earned it and it couldn't have happened to a nicer guy. "No matter what, I will always be Ty," he laughs. And we know that is a fact that will not change.


Just The 411

Where He's From:
He grew up in Watts, a rough neighborhood in the south central section of LA. At the moment, he lives in New York City.

His Big Break:
He's the real thing! His big break came from the world-wide exposure he got by acting in a TV commercial for CocaCola. In it, he boards a bus wearing headphones, sits down and starts to sing. The commercial started a bidding war among 19 or 20 labels.

How He Started:
At age 14, doing local talent shows

His Rapid Rise:
From the Coke commercial, to a Tommy Hilfiger commercial, to getting the gig as host of MTV Jams. Guest spots on TV shows including Martin and Hanging With Mr. Cooper and Sister, Sister.

Debut Album:
Tyrese

Debut Single:
"Nobody Else"

Hit Single:
"Sweet Lady"

His Talents Include:
songwriter, musician, actor, model, TV emcee

Quotable Quotes - About Him:
"If you meet Tyrese, you can't not like him. He's for feal and I think he comes across as real." - Lou Robinson, VP of RCA video promotions (U.S.); interviewed by Billboard
"Tyrese is a perfect fit (for MTV).MTV Jams is driven by viewer requests, so his videos' success has been organic, not forced." - Tom Calderone, Senior VP of Music, MTV;
Interviewed by Billboard

Quotable Quotes - From Him:
"My mangement and I decided that RCA was the best choice because they had a new regime over at RCA and they were hungry, like they had something to prove."
"It doesn't matter how many magazines I'm in or TV shows I'm on. It comes down to the song (Sweet Lady)."

Favorite Singer:
R. Kelly

Smart Marketing:
RCA has taken advantage of the Coke and Hilfiger exposure, working out promotional tie-ins with those companies when it was time to launch his album. Guest shots on BET, which helped put the Sweet Lady video in heavy rotation on the airwaves

Tyrese on Tour- Will He or Won't He?:
While fans clamor to see this young star in person, he's looking (according to Brett Wright, VP of Marketing and Artist Development for RCA) for the right tour package and a booking agency. Believe it or not, at press time, he didn't have one!