Gibson, who was once a member of a rap group called Triple Impact, released his self-titled debut music album, which went platinum, in 1998; his second album, 2000 Watts, shares the name of the organization he founded to help inner city children. Gibson was given the role originally intended for the late 2Pac Shakur in the 2001 film Baby Boy; the movie was a critical success and performed fairly at the box office. Gibson subsequently appeared in the 2003 box office success 2 Fast 2 Furious (opposite Paul Walker, with whom he formed a close friendship during filming), as well as Flight of the Phoenix (2004), Four Brothers (2005) and Annapolis (2006), co-starring James Franco. Gibson was picked as one of People Magazine’s Sexiest Men of the Year in 2000.
Gibson has also established himself as a successful screenwriter, selling the pitches D.A. Verdict to MGM and Extortion to Universal Studios. In 2006, Gibson sold his first original spec script, To Each His Own, to Screen Gems. He is to star in and produce all of the films. Gibson has also created HQ Pictures, a television and film production company. He has hired Mike Le as VP of development & production to oversee and develop projects under the company’s banner.
Gibson prefers his music career to acting, but will focus on both areas. His third album is called Alter Ego, and featured both R&B and hip hop songs. He used an alias, “Black Ty”, for the rap tracks. Tyrese had a role in the Transformers movie, released July of 2007; the film’s director, Michael Bay, had Gibson in mind for the role before he was cast, and thus Gibson did not have to audition for the part.
Tyrese's fourth and latest album Open Invitation was released on November 1, 2011 in the US. It was preceeded by the single "Stay" which peaked on U.S. Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Songs at number 11. The second single "Too Easy" features Ludacris and was released soon after.
Alter Ego
Tyrese Lyrics
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Ay play that back one more time (okay here we go)
[knock on door] Ay who dat?
It's Black-Ty!
What's goin' on man?
I gotta holla at you about somethin'
Give me one second
I wanna talk to you right now about my rap career
But I'ma take you way back to when you first start rappin'
'Member you was in the rap group Triple Went Pack
Man I don't wanna talk now I'm in the vocal booth
Tryin' to get this song done like I'm supposed to do
I need you to get up outta here
I don't wanna talk to you about no rap career
See, that's the problem, we don't share the same vision
I've been tryin' to think of what to say to make yo' ass listen
But nah, every time I bring up the subject
You comin' back at me talkin' R & B shit
Cause I know hip-hop, is a dangerous game
I love hip-hop, but I don't want that thing
All my concerts, got girls in the audience
I don't want nobody tryin' to take my life and shit
Yeah right, you know you wanna get back on the mic
Cause every time you on stage singin' you cuffin' the mic
Tellin' your fans to put they hands in the motherfuckin' air
And wave 'em side to side like they just don't care
But the rap game to me seems shady
All them dis records will probably drive me crazy
All the ladies give me love when I go to club
I don't wanna have to keep my eyes out for no thugs
Aight, I admit it, the rap game's a little shady
But they ain't gon' ever dance in the club to songs like "Sweet Lady"
I see you pop bottles with top models and then you go to the floor
You dance to e'rybody's shit but yours
Mm, nigga you startin' to piss me off
Won't you climb back in your box, Black-Ty get lost
I can't believe you send that 'bout my song "Sweet Lady"
Please leave me alone, you about to drive me crazy
Man you trippin, it's way cheaper to make a rap album
Ten to fifteen thou', you payin' 100 thou' per track
And you don't wanna rap nigga?
Put out two or three albums and go platinum nigga? Damn
Mmm, man I'm not listenin' to you
I love R & B, this is what I do
R & B's the reason that I'm drivin' that Bentley
House on the hill, bank account got plenty
So nigga don't talk to me, about R & B
When every rap nigga out tryin' to sing
Yeah that's true, but I ain't gon' ever do that shit
I'ma call a R & B nigga to sing that shit
Matter of fact think about it, me and you can be on the same record
Me on the verses, and you can sing the hooks and shit
Man, I guarantee we'll win a Grammy with that
That's on me, we'll shake up the industry with that
Probably so, but no, I don't wanna do a song with'chu
Cause I probably never ever get along with'chu
Who do you think you are, talkin' to me
Nigga get up outta here 'fore I call my security
Call 'em, I don't give a fuck, we from Watts, remember?
I walk right past the sign that said 'Do Not Enter'
Matter of fact you a singer, why you need security?
Ain't nobody even after you, you Hollywood dude
Nigga hold up, I got a phone call comin' through
This is Tyrese Gibson the movie star, I make more money than both of you
While you talkin' rap and R & B dude
Everybody that, raps or sing is makin' movies
Why is that?
'Cause ain't no money in the music industry, one!
Uh, damn, did he hang up the phone?
Yeah the nigga's Hollywood, he's gone
Like I was sayin', I just wanna get at you about some business homie
Oh man I don't wanna talk to you about this shit no more
Please get out of my vocal booth and walk out the door
Who do you think you are talkin' to me?
I'm a singer and all my fans love me
I ain't tryin' to stop you from singin' R & B
I been in a little box for 12 years, I just wanna breathe
Let me out please, I guarantee
That everybody in this industry gon' wanna do a song with me
Aw damn, let me think about it
Aw damn, I'm done thinkin' about it
Hell no, hell no
I don't know if I'm ready to let you out (let you out)
These niggas might not understand what you about (you about)
You might be cursin and callin women out they names
It might be disrespectful to my whole fanbase
Nah man, I got a whole lot of respect for these hoes
I'm just fuckin' with you nigga, for real it's a joke [chuckles]
Nah man, I don't really think this shit is real funny
Because of my fans I made a whole lot of money
I was able to travel around the world and shit!
Five-star hotels with black cards and shit!
I know I never won a Grammy, so what?
Everywhere I go my fans show me so much love
Fuck it, pssh
Guess I ain't gon' ever be able to get through to you
I don't give up that easy though
I'ma get at you tomorrow
Go ahead and finish your lil' R & B song punk
The lyrics to Tyrese's song Alter Ego showcase a conversation between two personas of the artist, with one persona representing Tyrese as an R&B singer and the other persona representing Tyrese as a rapper under the alias "Black-Ty." The conversation revolves around Black-Ty attempting to convince Tyrese to make a return to rap, but Tyrese insisting on staying within the R&B genre. The two personas represent different sides of Tyrese's creative identity, and the song highlights the internal struggle that some artists may face when they want to explore different genres of music.
The conversation also touches upon the commercial aspect of music, with Black-Ty emphasizing the financial benefits of rap music and Tyrese stating that he's content with his success in R&B. Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the lyrics is the way they provide insight into the artist's mindset and approach to music. It's clear that Tyrese takes his artistry seriously and has thought deeply about the direction he wants to take his music.
Line by Line Meaning
Nah, you been ignorin' me for years
I need to talk to you about my rap career, but you keep ignoring me.
See, that's the problem, we don't share the same vision
We have different goals, you're R&B and I'm rap.
Cause I know hip-hop, is a dangerous game
I love hip-hop, but I don't want the danger that comes with it.
But the rap game to me seems shady
I don't like the rap game because of all the dis records and violence.
Man you trippin, it's way cheaper to make a rap album
It's cheaper to make a rap album than an R&B album.
So nigga don't talk to me, about R & B
I don't want to talk about R&B because I'm all about hip-hop.
Probably so, but no, I don't wanna do a song with'chu
I don't want to collaborate with you on a song.
This is Tyrese Gibson the movie star, I make more money than both of you
Tyrese is more successful than both of us because he's a movie star.
I ain't tryin' to stop you from singin' R & B
I'm not against R&B music, it's just not my thing.
Aw damn, let me think about it
I'll consider your proposal.
I don't know if I'm ready to let you out (let you out)
I'm not sure if I should let you pursue your rap career.
Nah man, I got a whole lot of respect for these hoes
I have respect for women and I'm just joking around.
Fuck it, pssh
I give up.
Guess I ain't gon' ever be able to get through to you
I'll never be able to convince you to try rap music.
Go ahead and finish your lil' R & B song punk
I don't care what you do, just keep making R&B music.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group
Written by: DAVID BOWERS, STEVE FAULKNER, DOUG MOORE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind