TYRESE: Heats Up AC

Tyrese Gibson has earned such a loyal following and identity, that all one has to say is his first name. His rugged good looks, chiseled body, Asiatic eyes and sparkling white teeth, landed him in a worldwide Coca-Cola Commercial. Ever since then, his career has evolved showing him as a diverse and seemingly limitless talent. With hit songs like "Sweet Lady" and "How You Gonna Act Like That," he is looking to add "One," and "Turn Ya Out."

According to published numbers, Tyrese sold 115,957 copies of his new Alter Ego disc its first week of release, which is his highest number to date. Tyrese speaks with pride about his new project because he says that he "did the entire thing. I wrote it all and arranged it all. I just took it to the label."

Tyrese or "Black Ty," is a Model, Singer, Songwriter, Actor, Writer, Producer and Rapper. His videos from the new album have enjoyed Top 10 positions on BET's 106 & Park and his VH1 Soul Tour, well done. In 1998, Tyrese took home an American Music Award for Favorite New Artist, while his sophomore album went gold and the next reached platinum status.

I had to chance to speak with "Black-Ty" asking about his passions, turn-offs and well, whatever came to mind. See how that conversation "heated up!"

Saba,Ink: Good Afternoon, Black-Ty. Can I call you that?
Tyrese: Sure. How are you doing?
Saba, Ink: Fine and thanks for taking time to speak with me.
Saba,Ink: I understand you've just had lunch so I'll make this as easy as possible to help your digestion (laughs).
Tyrese: (laughing).
Saba, Ink: I was reading about your a Black-Ty Campaign to promote your new album. What was that like?
Tyrese: It went really well. There were over 20,000 photos submitted.
Saba, Ink: Wow! That is a lot. Can we expect to see any of the winners featured in videos or print promos?
Tyrese: Well, we'll see about that (laughing).
Saba, Ink: Teaming up with Victoria's Secret on this campaign, how did that come about?
Tyrese: It came from the label and I went along with it. It was a beautiful ....
Saba,Ink: While we are on the subject of Victoria's Secrets and Ladies, What are some of your turn-on's.
Tyrese: What do you mean?
Saba,Ink: I mean in general.
Tyrese: Well, I certainly love to see women in Victoria's Secret (laughing)...but one of my biggest turn on's is LIFE. I love living. I love to be able to do things that affect people's lives positively. Like right now, I'm at Niagara Falls. I took everybody on the tour to Niagara Falls....We're just coming back. I've been there several times.
Saba, Ink: What is it about the Falls that is so fascinating to you?
Tyrese: It is one of the Wonders of The World. It is a beautiful thing.
Saba,Ink: So, what are some turn-off's?
Tyrese: They're not real turn-off's, I guess you'd call them pet peeves.
Saba, Ink: Ok, what are some pet peeves..
Tyrese: Really minor stuff like bird sh** on the car window. I also hate when it is raining and people don't have windshield wipers on. I like to see through the window when I'm driving. Also when people leave stuff on the window from...valet parking. I told you, minor stuff.
Saba,Ink: Ok, what about women. What turns you off about women?
Tyrese: I hate fake women. There is a difference between people that truly appreciate you as a talent. I can't stand those women that try to act unaffected by my presence.
Saba,Ink: What do you mean?
Tyrese: For example, I was at a club in DC. There was this really pretty girl in the club. She went on to tell me why she could not understand why all the other girls were trippin' over me. She told me that when she saw me, she went in the other direction. She went on to tell me that "ain't nobody trippin' over you."
Saba, Ink: That is really funny. How did you react?
Tyrese: I'm a very good listener. My thinking was, if she had to go to all those lengths not to be affected by me, she must have somehow been (laughing out loud).
Saba,Ink: That is really serious...and funny.
Saba,Ink: Your mother has been a really active part of your career. How is she doing?
Tyrese: She is doing really well. She's getting ready to have her 50th Birthday on April 22nd.
Saba,Ink: Do you have anything planned? That you'd like to share of course?
Tyrese : I'm making arrangements for an old R&B group to perform for her.
Saba,Ink: That sounds really nice. I'm sure she'll appreciate it.so, what parting words do you have for your fans?
Tyrese: Anyone who wants to do something should do it! God is never going to give you anything that he has in store for someone else. Surround yourself with people that want the same things you want. This way, if you get discouraged, they will keep you inspired.
Saba,Ink: That is nicely said. Anything else for the people?
Tyrese: Yeah. Tell them to call me. Here is the number..... Take it down.
Saba,Ink: Are you serious? This isn't some sort of prank number is it?
Tyrese: No, you can call it right now......1-818-206-9337. Call me!
Saba,Ink: Sounds like a plan. I'll certainly pass that along.

According to official information, Tyrese's "How Do You Wear Your Black Ty" campaign: "Don't Be Shy to Show Nothing but Ty," was an online campaign aimed at building community interaction between Tyrese and his fans. Following the theme of Tyrese's album Alter Ego, Users could upload pictures of themselves wearing a black tie however they chose. Ten winners received $50 gift certificates to Victoria's Secret and the contest ran via his official websites.

On Alter Ego's R&B disc, Tyrese joins forces with producers The Underdogs ("One," "Better To Know"), Brian Michael Cox ("Gotta Get You"), Lil' Jon ("Turn Ya Out"), R. Kelly ("Hurry Up," "Signs of Love Makin' Part II"), Eric Dawkins and Tony Dixon ("Morning After," "Better Than Sex,") and Trick Stewart ("Lights On") designed to cater to his R&B fanbase.

Although many of Gibson's colleagues acknowledge his singing prowess, they were pleasantly surprised by his skills on the mic as rapper Black-Ty. The Game, who appears on "Ghetto Dayz," says "He's [Tyrese] been successful on every scale from singing to acting so what would make anybody think that he couldn't rap?" After collaborating on "Get Low" and "Roll The Dice," Snoop Dogg comments, "He [Tyrese] really got it cracking to the point where he didn't seem like he was out of his range. It seemed like something he was naturally born to do." Manni Fresh, Scott Storch, All Star and various members from Tyrese's Headquarter Entertainment in-house production team The Frontline BoyZ, add their production skills on the hip-hop disc which features additional guest appearances by Kurupt, Too Short, Method Man and Manni Fresh.

Check Tyrese out, then give him a call and let him know how YOU like HIS Black-Ty......!