Photo: WENN
After working three-and-a-half years on his album, and navigating through personal struggles (a lengthy custody battle and the death of close friend Paul Walker), Tyrese Gibson can breathe a sigh of relief. Black Rose, a straight R&B album–raw, emotional, and sexy–is the number one album in the country. Actually, it’s No. 1 in 15 countries, demonstrating with a resounding “Yes” that real R&B is still alive. But as Gibson’s passionate open letter to Ryan Seacrest, Elvis Duran, and mainstream radio indicates, authentic R&B may not be dead, but it is certainly struggling to survive.
In a series of posts to his Facebook page, the singer and actor addressed what he feels is a glaring disparity between the radio airplay given to Black R&B artists and that given to white ones. What others might simply attribute to popularity or record sales, Gibson says is more of a nuanced form of racism, writing that “racism shows up in many forms.”
In a partially humorous post, Gibson shares a comedic promotional video in which a fake Ryan Seacrest and Elvis Duran plug his album Black Rose and his single “Shame” ft. Jennifer Hudson. The singer dramatizes shock and excitement, dropping to the floor and rolling around with his camera shouting, “We just changed music. White people are listening to my song. My sh–t is number one for everybody.” In the text accompanying the video, Gibson declared that he wants answers from mainstream radio as to why “Shame” is No. 2 on the Billboards Adult R&B charts in 6 weeks and has yet to be played on mainstream stations. Gibson vehemently writes, “Stop creating limits on my audience and reach. Black people are not just supported by Black people.”
When the Furious 7 star failed to receive a response from Seacrest or Duran, he penned an open letter, days later. Gibson, who released his album through his indie label Voltron Recordz, begins the letter by speaking of his love and respect for the two popular radio personalities. He then poses two questions to all mainstream radio hosts: “Do you think there is a lack of diversity on the radio?” and “Is mainstream radio being fair in their approach?” The 36-year-old star proceeds to answer his own question, drawing a comparison between his own success and the success of beloved white artists like Sam Smith to point out the bias shown towards the latter on mainstream radio.
He writes:
Did you know that I had a song called STAY that was #1 on Billboard for 11 consecutive weeks? And it was ONLY played on Urban AC and Urban Mainstream radio? Sam Smith (who I’m a huge supporter and fan of) also had a song called STAY and because people LOVED it, it was played on ALL formats of radio ( including mainstream, top 40, Rhythmic and crossover)… And it sounded like he had a FULL CHOIR on his hook!! (((( If that would of been MY song, I would of likely been stuck on the gospel channel..))) aha! We support Sam Smith, Robin Thicke, and Justin Timberlake on ALL urban stations… why? Because it’s R&B Soul Music and great R&B soul MUSIC has no racial preference, no sexual preference and no boundaries…I don’t create limits for MYSELF and I don’t appreciate people creating limits for me!!
Gibson goes further to point out his appeal to diversity, raking in more than $6 billion at the box office with his films due to the support of people of all races. He also notes that artists like Smith, Justin Timberlake, and Robin Thicke are played on urban radio when they have an R&B/Soul single, but reciprocity is not shown to Black artists of the same genre on mainstream radio. The singer even calls out Smith and Timberlake for not doing promotions with Black radio to earn those spins or even show an appreciation for them while he and fellow African American artists have to work for every spin they get.
To wrap up the letter, Gibson declares, ‘“Shame” ft. Jennifer Hudson needs to be heard by people all around the world!!!! And I won’t stop or rest until we get there.” He makes it clear, however, that he will not be compromising his music to do it, so fans of the song don’t have to worry about hearing a techno remix anytime soon.
Tyrese’s full-length open letter is below:
Open letter to Mr Ryan Seacrest of Kiss FM and Mr Elvis Duran of Z-100. Since you don’t want to respond, let’s turn things UP a notch!!!
First, you should know this… So that no one tries to diminish my point….. Let’s take a few things off the table.. ( cracking my knuckles ). I have no malicious intentions towards anyone, I’m not bitter, im actually one of the most positive and optimistic people you could ever meet and know!
I’m not mad, I’m simply addressing a real issue… This is NOT a rant, this NOT coming from a racist place and I am not pulling the “race card.” This is not about sexual preference and for sure not doing this for press or buzz desperate for attention for my album release – I respect you both completely and don’t want you to be socially or personally attacked .. ( so let’s get into these topics )Did you see my recent interview I did with the breakfast club Power 105 NYC talking about you?
I love you both and I’m so proud of all that you’ve accomplished! You both happen to be some of the BIGGEST and most influential Mainstream radio hosts. I’m simply posing some specific questions and it’s NOT just to you but to ALL MAINSTREAM RADIO STATIONS IN GENERAL… Do you think there is a lack of diversity in radio? Is mainstream radio really being fair with their approach? Did you know that I had a song called STAY that was #1 on Billboard for 11 consecutive weeks? And it was ONLY played on Urban AC and Urban Mainstream radio? Sam Smith ( who I’m a huge supporter and fan of ) also had a song called STAY and because people LOVED it, it was played on ALL formats of radio ( including mainstream, top 40, Rhythmic and crossover)… And it sounded like he had a FULL CHOIR on his hook!! (((( If that would of been MY song, I would of likely been stuck on the gospel channel..))) aha! We support Sam Smith, Robin Thicke, and Justin Timberlake on ALL urban stations… why? Because it’s R&B Soul Music and great R&B soul MUSIC has no racial preference, no sexual preference and no boundaries…
I don’t create limits for MYSELF and I don’t appreciate people creating limits for me!! HEAR ME OUT!!I couldn’t possibly have OVER 6 BILLION in global box office receipts if I was ONLY supported by Black people.
How is it possible that urban radio plays Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake and Sam Smith ( When they release R&B Soul records and when we’re singing in the EXACT same genre, WE don’t get ANY love on the other side…?? Sam Smith won a BET award and was a no-show – is that ok?
As artists…. Other than Robin Thicke.. Are you guys interested in doing any radio promo? Call ins? Meet and greets with the fans for those Urban Radio Spins?? Do you have any idea how HARD it is to get your songs ON Urban radio?? Or to land a BET nomination? We have to work our ASSES OFF for every spin! #SHAME ft Jennifer Hudson needs to be HEARD by people ALL AROUND the WORLD!!!! And I won’t stop or rest until we get there….#King
– Tyrese “Black Rose” GibsonPs- I am so sorry but I’m Not going to do a house or techno version of SHAME to get radio spins!!! I’m not putting on no tight pants to have more pop appeal – I don’t wanna be cool… I actually told #TeamVoltron that I wanted my album and single and creative direction to be irrelevant- I don’t twerk… And I don’t know anybody name Nay Nay lol – it’s #GrownFolkSeason it’s real #RnBSeason – My voice is deep, I love sex, I love the ART of love and love making – i love to mentally intrigue that woman’s mind. I don’t wear braids or backpacks with cartoon characters on it – I’m #GROWN and I actually LOVE being grown…. Ladies hear me when I say I’m singing to that – cause I want that…I have a voice…… Change is uncomfortable – I am willing to take the heat, deal with the backlash and press and media that may come of this post….. Why.? Cause change doesn’t come from just complaining you have to make a move….. “the best way to predict the future is to create it”… I don’t play the lack of diversity game too well… I think what’s fair is what’s fair…
LETS MAKE A STATEMENT!!!
Download Black Rose now!
