Tyrese Gibson
Tyrese Darnell Gibson (born December 30, 1978),[2][3] also known mononymously as Tyrese, is an American actor and R&B singer. His self-titled debut album, released in 1998, featured the single "Sweet Lady". The record peaked at number twelve on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100. His second and third albums, 2000 Watts and I Wanna Go There, were released in 2001 and 2002, respectively. The latter contained the lead single "How You Gonna Act Like That", which became Gibson's highest-charting single, reaching number seven on the Billboard Hot 100. His fourth album, Alter Ego, explored hip hop, while he was nominated for the Grammy Award for Best R&B Album for his fifth album, Open Invitation (2011). Gibson's sixth album, Black Rose (2015), debuted at number one on the U.S. Billboard 200, becoming his highest-charting album. He has sold over 4 million records in the United States.[4]
"Tyrese" redirects here. For other uses of the name, see Tyrese (name).
Tyrese Gibson
- Black-Ty
- Actor
- singer
1994–present
2
Vocals
Gibson had his first starring role in John Singleton's coming-of-age hood film Baby Boy (2001), and gained widespread recognition as Roman Pearce in the Fast & Furious franchise. Gibson reunited with Singleton for the action film Four Brothers (2005) and plays Robert Epps in the Transformers franchise. He appeared in the comedy film Ride Along 2 (2016) and appeared in the superhero film Morbius (2022).
Early life[edit]
Gibson was born and raised in Watts, Los Angeles, California.[5][6] His mother, Priscilla Murray Gibson (née Durham), raised him and his three older siblings as a single parent after his father, Tyrone Gibson, left.[7][8] While growing up in Watts on 113th Street during the late 80s, Gibson was exposed to gangs, with some of his childhood friends becoming members of the Crips. In his autobiography, Tyrese stated it was an older gangster named "Dirtbike Fred" that encouraged him to take a different path.[9] He later graduated from Locke High School in 1996.
Music career[edit]
Beginnings[edit]
Gibson's career began when he auditioned for a Coca-Cola commercial at the suggestion of his high school music teacher. An appearance in a 1994 Coca-Cola advertisement, singing the phrase "Always Coca-Cola",[10] led to bigger fame. It also led him to other appearances, such as for Guess and Tommy Hilfiger.
1998–1999: Tyrese[edit]
Gibson was signed as an artist to RCA Records in early 1998. Afterwards, he released his debut single "Nobody Else". It quickly rose on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, peaking at No. 36. On September 29, 1998, he released his self-titled album Tyrese at the age of 19. It debuted on the Billboard charts at No. 17. In late 1998, Gibson became the new host of the weekday music video show MTV Jams on MTV and a host and VJ for the channel.[11] Afterwards, he released the second and highest-charting single "Sweet Lady" which became the album's biggest hit, reaching No. 9 on the R&B charts. The single earned Gibson a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Male Vocal Performance. Afterwards, he released the third single from the album "Lately". It made it to No. 56 on the Billboard charts. The album eventually went on to be certified Platinum. Gibson, along with singers Ginuwine, RL of Next, and Case, were featured on the soundtrack of The Best Man on the single "The Best Man I Can Be".
2000–2001: 2000 Watts[edit]
On May 22, 2001, Gibson released his second studio album 2000 Watts. The first single off the album was "I Like Them Girls", which reached No. 15 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The album went on to be certified Gold, selling over 500,000 copies. The third single off the album, "Just a Baby Boy", with Snoop Dogg and Mr. Tan, was featured on the soundtrack to the film Baby Boy, Gibson's first major acting role.
2002–2004: I Wanna Go There[edit]
After RCA Records was disbanded, Gibson went on to sign to J Records, where he released his third studio album I Wanna Go There on December 10, 2002. His first single from the album and arguably his most successful single to date "How You Gonna Act Like That" debuted on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at No. 7.
2005–2010: Alter Ego and hiatus[edit]
On December 12, 2006, Gibson released his fourth studio album, Alter Ego, his first double-disc album. It was also the first album in which he showcased his rapping persona. The first single off the album was "One" debuting on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at No. 26. The album itself is considered Gibson's lowest selling album to date. In 2007, Gibson, Ginuwine, and Tank founded TGT.
2011–2012: Open Invitation[edit]
After taking time from music to focus on his family and acting career, Gibson returned to music in 2011, when he signed himself to EMI and released his fifth studio album Open Invitation on November 1. The album debuted on the US Billboard 200 albums chart at No. 9, sold 130,000 copies in its first week and has gone on to sell over 400,000 copies. It was preceded by the lead single "Stay" and peaked on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at No. 11.[12] The second single "Too Easy" featured fellow actor, friend and rapper Ludacris. It peaked on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at No. 38. The third single "Nothing On You" peaked on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at No. 61. In 2013, the album earned Gibson his third Grammy nomination at the 2013 Grammy Awards for Best R&B Album.
Writing[edit]
In 2009, Gibson co-created a three-issue comic book titled Tyrese Gibson's MAYHEM! after being inspired from his visit to Comic Con.
On May 8, 2012, Gibson released his first book, titled How to Get Out of Your Own Way. It went on to be a New York Times bestseller.[40] On February 5, 2013, Gibson co-authored his second book along with close personal friend Rev. Run titled Manology: Secrets of Your Man's Mind Revealed, which also went on to be a New York Times best seller.[41][42][43]
Personal life[edit]
Gibson was married to Norma Mitchell from 2007 to 2009, and the couple had one child, a daughter,[44] born in 2007.[45]
In January 2017, Gibson purchased a $4 million home in Atlanta, Georgia.[46] He married Samantha Lee on February 14, 2017.[47][48] Their daughter was born on October 1, 2018.[49] In December 2020, Gibson and Lee announced they were divorcing.[50]
Gibson is a Christian.[51][52]