Exclusive LAUNCH Artist Chat

07/09/1999 8:00 PM, Yahoo! Music
Billy Johnson Jr

Managing a career as a singer, MTV VJ, and Tommy Hilfiger model had taken a toll on Tyrese when he visited the LAUNCH office July 8. Though he was extremely tired and behind on attending to his pets and fixing up his house, the ladies' man was eager to answer questions from his fans. He was quick to dispel rumors about his relationship with actress Maia Campbell, who is featured in his videos for "Sweet Lady" and "Lately." He also revealed why his song "Stay In Touch" is so special to him. He even had interesting comments about fellow bald and chocolate-complexioned model Tyson Beckford.

In between answering questions, however, the talented singer--who snagged his first big break with a lead role in a Coca-Cola commercial (remember that guy with the headphones singing on the bus?)--showed excitement about his growing popularity. He's been nominated for the Choice Male Artist (music) for Seventeen Magazine's Teen Choice Awards (www.seventeen.com).

Before heading home to pack for his evening flight to the Bahamas to film a segment for MTV, he asked his friends at LAUNCH to make sure his fans received his cellular telephone number. So here it goes: (917) 754-0005.

princess101: how'd u get started with ur awesome career?

Tyrese: Everything musically that I can be a part of, I was there. And the Coke commercial was my first break, and from there on out, every door possible was opened.

princess101: ur sexy damnit

Tyrese: Thank you!

Goldleader: Hey, do you really go out with Maia Campbell? She's in two of your videos?

Tyrese: No...she was in both videos because she's great to work with and outside of the videos we did together, there's absolutely nothing going on.

LoveForevermore: I want to be a musician some day...even if it it writing lyricks 4-somebody...give me some advice....

Tyrese: Don't be afraid to be who you are.

Fah_Q: Some people say that you've been giving Tyson Beckford a lot of competition, what do you think? Do you know him? Are you guys cool?

Tyrese: He's like my older brother. He's an official model and I'm an official singer -- two different worlds.

princess101: what will u be doing in 30 years?

Tyrese: Music! Entertainment. Some form of entertainment.

princess101: are u single married or in a current relationship right now?

Tyrese: I'm single. Too young for marriage.

Porkapple: Your song "Stay In Touch" is about your mother. Is it a true story?

Tyrese: Absolutely. It's true. I wrote every inch of that song.

gvsbgirl: Do you live in New York and LA? How do you manage?

Tyrese: I live in L.A., but it's just like I don't live in L.A. because I'm never home. But L.A. is where I was born and raised -- my schedule just doesn't allow me to be home much.

tyreseluva: can you go to http://tyrese.iscool.net its my page of you

Tyrese: Yeah, I'll check it out a little later. I'll pull it up now...

gorgo: Who would you like to work with?

Tyrese: I would like to work with Babyface, Eric Clapton, Garth Brooks, Bobby Brown, and Stevie Wonder.

ChocolateJesus: You do such a good job hosting on MTV. Most singers are horrible hosts. How did you get it down?

Tyrese: I'm not afraid to be who I am. I don't really consider myself a host; I consider myself a personality and honestly, what you're seeing on MTV, none of my boys are shocked -- because they're used to my personality as it appears on MTV.

oops333: What do you think of the status/health of R&B? Is it growing or dying...

Tyrese: It's definitely not dying, but the Latin world has pretty much taken over right now. But R&B will never die.

tyreseluva: do you remember me? i called you at like 6:30 AM at the Russ Parr Morning Show last Wednesday

Tyrese: Probably so...but I don't know you as tyreseluva. What is your real name?

SweetLady8: Are you gonna be at Summer Jam? 92.3 The Beat

Tyrese: I don't know -- keep listening to 92.3 The Beat because I'm not allowed to give out information like that.

kharise: What kind of music are you listening to currently?

Tyrese: Dave Hollister, Kelly Price, BLACKStreet, R. Kelly.

Skankette: If Weird Al wanted to make a parody of one of your songs...would you mind?

Tyrese: I would have to approve it. Because although I respect what he brings to the comedy world, I just don't want any type of anything going out there unless I hear it first -- and since he sells so many albums, I want a cut of those royalties!

princess101: whats your ideal of a "sweet lady" :)

Tyrese: Innocent. Modest. "Sweet." Delicate. And very open-minded.

LoveForevermore: Are you song written about a specific person?

Tyrese: Not one specific person. Throughout my relationships and experiences I've had, I just pretty much write about what I've been through.

LaZTiGGeR: Do you have a celebrity mentor in the music business? If so, who?

Tyrese: I just mentioned them when I said who I wanted to work with -- all of those are my mentors. They can just start believing the lyrics they sang -- there's a difference in just singing and in believing in what you're singing. It's all about getting involved in what you're singing.

MsPacman: You seem very athletic. Do you have a fave sports team?

Tyrese: My favorite basketball team is the Lakers of course!