Interview: Tye Tribbett - Gospel Singer and Songwriter

As the child of a pastor and choir director, one would expect Tye Tribbett to be "on fire for God." With this being (perhaps obviously) true, then it is even less surprising to know that Tribbett has dedicated his life to the music ministry as well. Such palpable observations have a direct correlation, however, to the unexpected blessings that time affords, especially when a man's life is in accordance with God's plan.

In less than a decade, Tye Tribbett & Greater Anointing have transformed the Gospel music genre. And although the group has collaborated with notable mainstream artists like Sting, Faith Hill, and Justin Timberlake, Tribbett has made a vow to keep the focus of his musical endeavors on Christ—citing Ephesians 6:11 as his guide. "Putting on the whole armour of God," Tye Tribbett follows in the footsteps of Kirk Franklin and Hezekiah Walker—fusing non-traditional musical elements to create high energy praise and worship.

Like Franklin and Walker before him, Tribbett has been subject to the harsh criticisms of traditional Gospel lovers, but his innovative work has brought spiritual music to mainstream audiences. On May 6, 2008, Tye Tribbett & Greater Anointing released their third album, Stand Out, which was recorded in a live production at the Rock Church International in Virginia Beach, Virginia. Upon review of Stand Out, Tye Tribbett managed to squeeze some time out of his busy schedule and settle down for an interview with Clayton Perry— reflecting on life, God and his music ministry.

Every new generation of contemporary Gospel music inevitably suffers some form of backlash from traditional listening audiences. Kirk Franklin and Hezekiah Walker were principle targets. So were Fred Hammond and John P. Kee. What do you say to those conventional criticisms?

I understand that we go from glory to glory and faith to faith. I really don't see their criticism as, "Oh, they're against us." Thanks to Kirk Franklin and Hezekiah Walker, I haven't received it too bad.

In the Gospel arena, comparisons are often made between you and Kirk Franklin. What influence did his career have on yours? And how do you see your career evolving in contrast to his?

When Kirk Franklin first came out, people would "add fuel to the fire," thinking it was an encouragement. But it was actually a discouragement because the void I thought I was going to fill in this industry had already been filled. I thought I was going to be touring, but he was touring. I was kind of discouraged, but it actually put me in my place. It actually gave me focus and purpose and lined me up to exactly where I was supposed to be. This leads me to your second part of your question. I don't see the Gospel music to be changing completely. I don't want everybody to start sounding like myself or Kirk Franklin. I need them to remain as they are. I see this as an extension of Gospel music. It's growing but not changing; evolving but not transforming.

In the past, you participated in a couple of secular collaborations, but you've gone on record to say that God has matured you to the point where you would no longer "uphold another kingdom." Could you elaborate a little bit more on your position?

There's pop, rock, hip hop, R&B – if you're not doing all of that in God, you're supporting another kingdom. Truth has to come from your mouth. A lot of the music we were singing and the message that we were supporting, ultimately, was not bringing people toward the God that I love so much. If it's not toward the Lord, it's away from Him. I just chose to respond to the Holy Spirit and do the work of the Lord. I chose to have all music be towards the Lord. Not just for myself, but leading everyone else that listens to me towards Him. That's what you hear.

Article Author: Clayton Perry

Clayton Perry's mission parallels that of John Hope Franklin, Marcus Garvey and Carter G. Woodson. As the founder of the NUBIANO Project, Perry facilitates the design of projects that give voice to the Black diaspora, empower the Black community, …

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