It’s been five years since Tyrese Gibson released his fourth CD Alter Ego, and since then his film profile has exploded with seven more films including the three “Transformers” blockbusters and the latest in the “Fast & The Furious” franchise. He also made the NY Times bestsellers list with his debut self-help book “How To Get Out of Your Own Way” and even created a series of comic books.
From breaking onto the scene thanks to a well-sung Coca-Cola commercial at the age of sixteen, to winning the American Music Award for Best New R&B Artist, to his film debut in “Baby Boy,” Tyrese has excelled in a variety of forums: music, acting, modeling, and now publishing.
Tyrese, 32, sat down with Loop 21 to discuss his latest LP Open Invitation set to release on Nov. 1, the connection between some of the songs’ lyrics and his personal recipe for relationship success, and the motivational new book he’s working on.
Loop 21: You are about to release Open Invitation, your first CD in five years. How has your music career evolved since you began?
Tyrese Gibson: When I began my music career at 19 I didn’t know who I was. I wrote and sang “Lately” on my first CD, but I was too young to be singing those words: “Have I told you I love you lately.” The record company A&R people were dictating what I should write and sing about so I followed what they told me. I was just happy to be out of the hood so I wrote it. “Lately” is a mature song I should be singing now. Open Invitation is my first CD on my own independent label Voltron Recordz. I recorded it in my home studio and paid for it myself. I had the freedom to write and record what I wanted. I had five different work stations set up in my home; thirteen people sleeping in my house for three weeks working on the CD. It was R&B boot camp. We laughed and prayed together. We ate breakfast, lunch and dinner together. It was the most fun I’ve ever had recording music.
Loop 21: Explain why the single “Stay” is so personal.
Gibson: “Stay” is inspired by my life. I was in a relationship years ago, but I did not make it a priority. I was focusing on my career and not my woman and she wanted to leave. So I had to beg her to stay. In the song I sing, “I messed up a 1000 times. I just can’t let you go. I’ll go the extra mile to make you smile. I’ll do whatever it takes.”
Loop 21: Did she stay?
Gibson: Almost.
Loop 21: What are the keys to maintaining a relationship?
Gibson: We all have to be specific about your comfort zone. You have to make compromises for the people you share your life with. That is the number one rule in maintaining relationships. I learned the hard way.
Loop 21: Why is the song “The Best Of Our Lives” featuring Brandy on Open Invitation so special to you?
Gibson: I wanted to record a song for that first dance at a wedding declaring the love between the husband and wife in which they speak their blessings to each other. Brandy is one of the greatest female vocalists. I don’t know anybody who can bring it like her. It was rumored that we were dating, but we’re just friends. We grew up together.
Loop 21: You became a successful author this year with your inspirational book “How To Get Out of Your Own Way.” Tell us about the book you are writing with Reverend Run Joseph Simmons?
Gibson: I am blessed to know great family men like Will Smith and Reverend Run. They are sharp guys who keep me on point. We are writing a book called “Manology.” We are dissecting man’s thoughts. The first chapter I wrote is about, are you responsible for your child’s reaction to his unknown father? Some women decide the father of their child is unworthy of being in the child’s life so they exclude him from the child. The child grows up bitter and hateful toward a father they never knew or got a chance to know. So I am letting the ladies who do that know they have to deal with the negative consequences of raising a child and deliberately turning him against a father who was denied the chance to get to know and support the child.
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