|
Perhaps no other Gospel artist in the last 2 years has captured the spirits and hearts of young Christians as firmly and as evangelically, through concerts, albums and personality as Tye Tribbett. His unique approach to music, ministry and style is unlike any other artist Gospel music has produced. Tye’s level of intensity, his form for fashion and his pension for transparency is not only winning new followers to Gospel music and Greater Anointing but new souls to the Kingdom.
Unwavering from a message of purity, passion for holiness and setting a standard of godliness, Tye Tribbett has issued a war cry against principalities and powers that’s aimed at saving souls. We spoke with Tye about everything…from his opinions on other artists, like Kirk Franklin and Hezekiah Walker, to his unexplainable energy level, to his thoughts on digital downloads. As we expected, Minister Tye Tribbett delivered a memorable dialogue worth printing that was open, honest and oh so interesting.
Christopher Heron: My first question is one I ask all ministers of music. What bible verse or scripture speaks loudest to your heart and mind and is a source of reference and inspiration to how you live your life both as a husband, as a father and as a recording artist?
Tye Tribbett: It would be Titus 2:7, I believe it says “In all things show of thyself a pattern of good works”. I like that quote which says that we should manifest a pattern for good works. A lot of times, we focus on showing an image to other people. We should show ourselves a pattern for good works. That helps me to be a well-rounded man and husband and minister of the Gospel. That’s where you really need to be when the light goes out.
CH: Before we begin talking about your music and the album, Stand Out, I’d love to know how you feel about many of your friends, colleagues and mentors you’ve worked with over the years. I’ll call out a few names and I’d like you to give me one or two colorful and revealing adjectives that best describe them. For instance if you asked me a question and called out the name Kim Burell I would say she’s sassy, special and very funny.
TT: Exactly no limit with Kim. Anything is possible with her. I love her.
CH: OK, Warryn “Baby Dubb” Campbell.
TT: Ha ha ha ha ha! He’s so sincere with the Lord. He’s not a mean person, not a mean bone in his body…and so talented.
CH: Kierra “Kiki” Sheard.
TT: Wow! The legacy lives on. And she’s so accountable.
CH: Rev. John P. Kee.
TT: Oh, he’s the father figure in gospel music…a pioneer
CH: I got two more names for you. Your spiritual brother, Kirk Franklin…
TT: Wow! He’s my brother. When I see him, I think about family all the time.
CH: And finally, someone from the East coast, someone that you grew up with and watched, Pastor Hezekiah Walker.
TT: Oh! Ha ha ha ha ha! Yes. Holiness. He still preaches holiness. Not a lot of people do. He sets standards. He still has them. Not a lot of people do today. And I pray it doesn’t stop when it comes to him.
CH: Tye, you’ve never shied away from telling your audience and listeners to live to a higher standard of holiness. Whether it’s challenging artist and musician to play and sing for the Lord, as opposed to playing for the world…and telling Christians to resist temptations like weed, adultery and fornication. Where did this boldness come from? And how has this boldness played out among your musician and choir members in Greater Anointed?
TT: The boldness came from the Word. It still challenges me daily. It’s never like I would say, “Y’all need to do this.” before I take a look and examine myself. The boldness comes from the word of God. It’s never me. I’ll listen to tapes sometimes or look at DVDs with Greater Anointing and say to myself, “I did that? Oh, my goodness.” It has caused us to praise God on new and different levels. Some people didn’t quite fall in line with what we were standing for. So quite naturally, they’ve separated themselves from the ministry but not from our lives. We still talk and whatnot but as far as the ministry, it caused a separation and a new testament to God.
CH: On your previous album and song, Victory, you challenged Christians to come out of lesbianism and homosexuality. That was a very bold challenge. How did it play out during the live recording, in the studio as you mastered and mixed the song, under the watchful eye of executives at Sony BMG and then much later when the song was released to radio, to both gospel and secular music formats? Did anyone say you have to take this comment out? Did anyone say the comment sounds homophobic or accused you of being homophobic?
TT: No. They probably accused me privately. The whole thing as you know wasn’t about sexuality. People accuse me of being XYZ. People don’t go crazy over things mentioned in the secular world and it’s not even being challenged. I would be upset, if we were living a lie. I’m just trying to say that lesbianism and homosexuality is another form of temptation in the end and we can have Victory over it.
So yea, I got my backlash and I’m still getting it. I love to hate the sin. That’s exactly where I’m at. But people who want to be attached to the sin, in the end get personal so I’m trying to separate it and say this is not you just something you’re attached to. No. This is not who I am. It’s not just homosexuality and lesbianism but jealousy, anger, greed and violence. Listen, that’s not who you are. We are made in the image of God. Anything not like God is not like us. It (sin) is just something that has attached itself to us. If we can see the difference, we can be more easily freed from it.
CH: You’ve earned the reputation of being not only one of the most celebrated artist in Gospel music but also perhaps one of the most dynamic, over-the-top stage performers. Are you always, from sunrise to sunset, bursting at the seams with energy? For instance, if you’re playing with your kids, hanging out with your wife or producing music in the studio, are you the last person to say, “Timeout, let’s take a break.” Have you always had that kind of crazy energy?
TT: The reality show on my life will soon be out on tv. I’m definitely on fire, from sunset to sunrise. I’m not a morning person at all. I’m basically crazy. We have orange and tangerine fights. We’ll through things at each other. There’s always something going on. There’s never a dull moment, especially with my family and stuff. I’m the last one to call a timeout but sometimes, when I get a week of engagements and I finally return home, my wife will say, “Come on. Where’s Tye. I need him now.” Sometimes she does have to check me.
CH: We’re all witnessing the music industry in somewhat of a transition. Fewer artists are selling huge number of units. Many of yester-years artists that we grew up on and enjoyed listening to are recording few albums. It’s more difficult for recording artist to earn a living. What do you in vision will be the state of Gospel music and the industry ten years from now? And how will it affect your ministry and the ministry of Greater Anointing?
TT: That’s not even a secret. Everything is digital now. So there will be less of all that stuff but I feel that God will sustain different artists. I haven’t really felt the pinch of what is going on in the music industry because God has still blessed us and allowed us to travel every weekend, three, four times a week. God has sustained us. But as pertaining to the business and the sales of units, it’s going to get worse. That’s why it was never about that stuff for me.
With downloads, we can’t beat it, so we can’t put our hopes up financially. We must use it for ministry. We’re supposed to do it. Then God will give you the power in other ways. When the Hawkins Family and James Cleveland were performing Gospel music, they weren’t making a lot of money. They weren’t on BET. You’re not going to make money if ministry is not where your heart is at. I believe if your heart is for God, He will sustain you.
CH: Your first album – Life - was a lot about holding onto God’s unchanging hands that message was delivered by some very cool very neo soul sounds. You’re second album – Victory - was a celebration of praise, with an amazing mix of contemporary Christian and Gospel music. What is the message and style of music in the album, Standout?
TT: Stand Out was a smooth change like the Life album to the Victory album, both musically and lyrically. To me, it’s the same jump. It’s another huge shift and change, musically and lyrically, from Victory to Stand Out. We’ve grown and we’ve matured, musically and lyrically. You will hear us push the envelope, more rock style, contemporary music and traditional, as well. We just pushed the envelope and the elements that were brewing. We definitely tested the waters. I think no one will say they’re disappointed.
CH: Finally, how would you best describe the evolution of Tye Tribbett and Greater Anointing? And what do you foresee is God’s plans for you?
TT: When we watch the videotape of GA on the bus, we’re seeing a million new different things. I say, “Thank you for lyrics. Thank you for giving us something to say. We’ve definitely grown lyrically. I think we now have something to say. God and Heaven have anointed us. The attention and the exposure is not because we’re the best singers, dancers, or musicians. It’s because we’re saying God has trusted us in this position. We will to continue to do what God says. We will continue to push the envelope musically, lyrically and stylistically. We will continue to be examples to Stand Out for the way of the Lord.
For more
information on Tye Tribbett and GA, visit
www.tyetribbettandga.com.
To contact Tye Tribbett for concerts, speaking and special engagements, call
856.232.6931.
