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Tyrese Gibson
Tyrese Gibson (21479937550) (cropped).jpg
Gibson in 2015
Born
Tyrese Darnell Gibson

(1978-12-30) December 30, 1978 (age 45)
Other names
  • Black-Ty
Occupation
  • Singer
  • actor
  • songwriter
Years active 1994–present
Spouse(s)
Norma Mitchell
(m. 2007; div. 2009)
Samantha Lee Gibson
(m. 2017; sep.  2020)
Children 2
Musical career
Genres
Instruments Vocals
Labels

Tyrese Darnell Gibson (born December 30, 1978), also known mononymously as Tyrese, is an American actor and 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.

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

Gibson was born and raised in Watts, Los Angeles, California. His mother, Priscilla Murray Gibson (née Durham), raised him and his three older siblings as a single parent after his father, Tyrone Gibson, left.

Music career

Beginnings

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", led to bigger fame. It also led him to other appearances, such as for Guess and Tommy Hilfiger.

1998–1999: Tyrese

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. Afterwards, he released the second single from the album "Lately". It made it to No. 56 on the Billboard charts. Then, the album's third single and highest-charting single "Sweet Lady" 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. 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

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

After RCA Records was disbanded Gibson went on to sign to J Records. There 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

On December 12, 2006, Gibson released his fourth studio album, Alter Ego, his first double-disc album. It was also his first album in which he debuts 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

After taking time from music to focus on his family and his highly successful acting career, Gibson decided it was time to return to music. In 2011, he signed himself and his newly founded label Voltron Recordz to EMI and announced he was working on a new album titled Open Invitation. On August 16, 2011, Gibson released the lead single "Stay". The music video for the single featured fellow actor, friend and Baby Boy co-star Taraji P. Henson. It peaked on the US Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart at No. 11. 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. Open Invitation was released on November 1, 2011. It 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. In 2013, the album earned Gibson his third Grammy nomination at the 2013 Grammy Awards for Best R&B Album.

2013–2017: TGT and Black Rose

In early 2013, it was announced and confirmed after much speculation that Gibson, Ginuwine, and Tank would be releasing their debut collaboration album, to be distributed by Atlantic Records. In 2014, Gibson released the album Black Rose. A double album set was released in 2015. On July 10, 2015, Black Rose was released and had debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, with first-week sales of 77,000 copies, making it Gibson's first number one album of his career.

2017–present: Identity Theft

In October 2017, Gibson announced he was working on a project titled Identity Theft and returning to his alter-ego Black Ty. Identity Theft was supposed to focus more on his hip-hop roots, with Gibson predicting that it would "change hip-hop." The project however was shelved and retooled into an R&B album titled Beautiful Pain, rumored to be released in late 2023. A single titled "Don't Think You Ever Loved", which features Lenny Kravitz and background vocals by Le'Andria Johnson, was released in February 2023. A remix of the song (featuring 2 Chainz and Jeezy) leaked on YouTube later that month. "Love Transaction", a second single from the album, was released on August 25, 2023. When Gibson competed on season five of The Masked Singer, interim host Niecy Nash introduced his character as "Porcupine", only for Gibson to tell her that his character preferred to be called "Robopine".

Acting career

Gibson has a recurring role in two of the highest-grossing film series: Fast & Furious and Transformers. His first film role was in John Singleton's Baby Boy in 2001.

Fast & Furious

Tyrese Gibson by Gage Skidmore
Gibson in 2009 San Diego Comic Con International

Gibson plays Roman Pearce in the Fast & Furious film series. He first played Pearce alongside his best friend, Paul Walker, in 2003's 2 Fast 2 Furious, his second collaboration with Singleton. He returned as Roman Pearce in Fast Five (2011), Fast & Furious 6 (2013), Furious 7 (2015), The Fate of the Furious (2017), F9 (2021) and Fast X (2023).

Transformers

Tyrese Gibson (21479937550) (cropped)
Gibson in 2015

Gibson portrays Sergeant Robert Epps in the Transformers film series. In 2007, with the cast of Josh Duhamel, John Turturro, Megan Fox, Anthony Anderson and Jon Voight, with star Shia LaBeouf, Transformers went on to make nearly $710 million worldwide. It was directed and co-produced by Michael Bay. Steven Spielberg served as the executive producer. Gibson reprised his role in the sequels Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) and Transformers: Dark of the Moon (2011). Gibson was supposed to return as Epps in Transformers: The Last Knight (2017), but was unable to appear due to scheduling conflicts with The Fate of the Furious.

Other films

In 2005, Singleton and Gibson collaborated for the third time when Gibson co-starred in the action-crime drama Four Brothers alongside Mark Wahlberg.

Gibson went on to star in the action-drama Waist Deep with Meagan Good.

In 2008, he co-starred opposite Jason Statham in Death Race.

In March 2019, Gibson joined Jared Leto in Sony's Spider-Man spinoff Morbius.

Writing

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. 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.

Personal life

Gibson was married to Norma Mitchell from 2007 to 2009, and the couple had one child, a daughter, born in 2007.

In January 2017, Gibson purchased a $4 million home in Atlanta, Georgia. He married Samantha Lee on February 14, 2017. Their daughter was born on October 1, 2018. In December 2020, Gibson and Lee announced they were divorcing.

Discography

Solo albums
  • Tyrese (1998)
  • 2000 Watts (2001)
  • I Wanna Go There (2002)
  • Alter Ego (2006)
  • Open Invitation (2011)
  • Black Rose (2015)
  • Beautiful Pain (2023)
Collaborative albums
  • Three Kings (with TGT) (2013)

Filmography

Key
Films that have not yet been released Denotes films that have not yet been released

Film

Year Title Role Note
2000 Love Song Skip/Mad Rage TV movie
2001 Baby Boy Joseph 'Jody' Summers
2003 2 Fast 2 Furious Roman Pearce
2004 Flight of the Phoenix AJ
2005 Four Brothers Angel Mercer
Annapolis Matt Cole
2006 Waist Deep Otis/O2
2007 Transformers Robert Epps
Take, TheThe Take Adell Baldwin
2008 Death Race Joseph "Machine Gun Joe" Mason
2009 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen Robert Epps
2010 Legion Kyle Williams
2011 Transformers: Dark of the Moon Robert Epps
Fast Five Roman Pearce
2012 Eldorado David
2013 Fast & Furious 6 Roman Pearce
Black Nativity Tyson
2015 Furious 7 Roman Pearce
Hollywood Adventures Himself Cameo
2016 Ride Along 2 Mayfield
2017 The Fate of the Furious Roman Pearce
2019 Black and Blue Milo "Mouse" Jackson
2020 The Christmas Chronicles 2 Bob Booker
2021 F9 Roman Pearce
Rogue Hostage Kyle Snowden
Dangerous Sheriff McCoy
2022 Morbius Simon Stroud
The System Terry Savage
2023 Fast X Roman Pearce
The Collective Hugo
Squealer Officer Paul
Helen's Dead Henry
TBD Hard Matter dagger Lukas Post-production
April 29, 1992 dagger Mercer Post-production
Bloodline Killer dagger Detective Cyphers Filming

Television

Year Title Role Notes
1996 Hangin' with Mr. Cooper Darrell Episode: "Talent Show"
1997 Martin Dante Episode: "Goin' for Mine"
1998 BET Soundstage Himself Episode: "Episode #1.3"
Parent 'Hood, TheThe Parent 'Hood Coop Episode: "Hood Sweet' Hood: Part 1"
Sister, Sister Himself Episode: "The Domino Effect"
1998-2007 It's Showtime at the Apollo Himself Recurring Guest
1999 Flava Himself Episode: "Episode #4.7"
Andi Meets... Himself Episode: "Britney Spears"
ABC TGIF Himself Episode: "TGIF First Look: Walt Disney World Summer Jam Concert"
Blue's Clues Himself Episode: "Blue's Big Holiday"
2000 Making the Video Himself Episode: "Da Brat: What'Chu Like"
Hollywood Squares Himself Recurring Guest
Moesha Troy Episode: "The Player"
2001 The Andy Dick Show Himself Episode: "Come Back Quentin"
Who Wants to Be a Millionaire? Himself Episode: "Top of the Charts Edition, Show 2-4"
2001-03 Soul Train Himself Recurring Guest
2002 All That Himself Episode: "Christina Vidal/Tyrese"
2003 Star Search Himself/Guest Judge Episode: "The One with 2 Fast 2 Furious Star Tyrese Gibson"
Soul Train Lady of Soul Awards Himself/Co-Host Main Co-Host
Half & Half Himself Episode: "The Big ... Shame Episode"
2005 Punk'd Himself Episode: "Episode #5.2"
2006 Soul Train Music Awards Himself/Co-Host Main Co-Host
2010 Unsung Himself Episode: "Teddy Pendergrass"
La La's Full Court Wedding Himself Episode: "It's Finally Here!" & "Clip Show"
2012 Andrew Young Presents Himself Episode: "Memphis: Facing the Cross"
The Soup Himself Episode: "Episode #9.5"
2015 Unsung Hollywood Himself Episode: "Baby Boy"
Being Himself Episode: "Tyrese Gibson"
Lip Sync Battle Himself Episode: "Holiday Special"
2016 It's Not You, It's Men Himself/Co-Host Main Co-Host
K. Michelle: My Life Himself Episode: "See You Tamara"
American Dad! Himself (voice) Episode: "The Devil Wears a Lapel Pin"
2017 Star Pastor Bobby Harris Recurring Cast: Season 1
2020 Uncensored Himself Episode: "Tyrese"
2021 The Masked Singer Robopine Contestant: Season 5
Architectural Digest Himself Episode: "Inside Tyrese Gibson's Atlanta Dream Mansion"
2023 Top Chef Himself Episode: "Street Food Fight"

Documentary

Year Title
2018 I Am Paul Walker

Music videos

Year Artist Title
1997 SWV "Rain"
1998 Usher "My Way"
1999 Monica "Angel of Mine"
2000 Da Brat "What'chu Like"
2003 Roselyn Sánchez "Amor Amor"
R. Kelly featuring Big Tigger and Cam'ron "Snake (Remix)"
Ludacris "Act a Fool"
2006 Omarion "Entourage"
Chingy "Pullin' Me Back"
2007 Keyshia Cole "Love"
2008 Akon featuring Colby O'Donis and Kardinal Offishall "Beautiful"
2009 Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne and Swizz Beatz "I Can Transform Ya"
2010 Lady Gaga featuring Beyoncé "Telephone"
2013 Clinton Sparks featuring 2 Chainz and Macklemore "Gold Rush"
T-Pain featuring B.o.B "Up Down (Do This All Day)"
2015 Eric Bellinger featuring 2 Chainz "Focused On You"
Wiz Khalifa featuring Charlie Puth "See You Again"

Video game

Year Title Role Notes
2020 Fast & Furious Crossroads Roman Pearce (voice)

Theme park ride

Year Title Role
2015 Fast & Furious: Supercharged Roman Pearce

Awards and nominations

American Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2000 Tyrese Gibson Favorite New R&B/Soul Artist Won
Black Movie Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2006 Waist Deep Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role Nominated
Black Reel Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2002 "Just a Baby Boy" (with Mr. Tan and Snoop Dogg) Best Song Nominated
Baby Boy Best Actor Nominated
2006 Four Brothers Best Ensemble Nominated
Grammy Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2000 "Sweet Lady" Best R&B Male Vocal Performance Nominated
2004 "How U Gonna Act Like That" Nominated
2013 Open Invitation Best R&B Album Nominated
2014 Three Kings with Ginuwine and Tank as TGT Nominated
2016 "Shame" Best Traditional R&B Performance Nominated
Best R&B Song Nominated
NAACP Image Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2002 2000 Watts Outstanding Hip-Hop Artist Nominated
2002 Baby Boy Outstanding Actor in a Motion Picture Nominated
2002 The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Outstanding Performance in a Variety Show Nominated
2012 Trumpet Awards Pinnacle Award Won
Locarno International Film Festival
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2001 Baby Boy for 'its innovative concept and ensemble acting' Special Mention Award
Soul Train Music Awards
Year Nominee / work Award Result
2013 "TGT" with Ginuwine and Tank New Artist of the Year Nominated
2012 "Stay" Song of the Year Won

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Tyrese Gibson para niños

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