Amuse YOUR SENSES

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: I’ve known you since the beginning of your career and you are more excited about this CD than any other project. Why?

Gibson: I know the fans are frustrated with music now so I want to satisfy them with real music. Today you buy a CD based on a single you like and the album is weak. I want to not just give you a great single but a great body of work. I want to record music that makes the ladies feel a certain way so I have ladies in the studio with me and I see how they react. What they like I keep; what they don’t like I don’t use. In the studio I zone out. ...It is a combination of my best R&B and hip hop plus I was able to feature four very special artists and friends: Ludacris, R. Kelly, Rick Ross and Brandy.
 

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.