Review: Tyrese – Black Rose

It’s hard to believe that it’s been 21 years since we first heard Tyrese belting out his “Always Coca Cola” riffs on the classic mid-90s Coke commercial. It is equally hard to believe that the artist claims that with the release of his current studio album Black Rose, he is now throwing in the towel and gracefully bowing out of the music business altogether. Much of his disdain of and disappointment in the industry is due to the nature of the business for independent recording artists and what it’s evolved into over the years now that consumers no longer buy full albums as they did years ago. Tyrese would rather focus his energies on things that he feels will definitely make him some money. And while recording albums is not the answer any more, he’s managed to successfully solidify a career in acting, most notably with his debut role as Jody in Baby Boy and over the years as Roman Pearce in The Fast And The Furious franchise. But as a musical recording artist, Black Rose is it he says. His final solo album. The title of the album is inspired by a Tupac Shakur poem entitled “A Rose That Grew From Concrete”. Tyrese considers himself the “Black Rose” that grew from the concrete streets of South Central LA. His most vulnerable and honest album to date, he spends these songs talking about the things that he went through in his last relationship with the embarrassing, shameful moments, and what he hopes for in a union moving forward.

The album starts off strong with “Addict”, a catchy radio-friendly track, before getting into the first single “Dumb Shit” featuring Snoop Dogg. Taking a slice of A Tribe Called Quest’s “Bonita Applebum” flavor, Tyrese’s alter ego, Black Ty, lays down a few bars of rapping after the Doggfather’s characteristic mellow flow. The second single, “Shame”, embodies the old-school soul of Atlantic Starr’s “Send For Me” and features Jennifer Hudson on background vocals. Tyrese has spoken at length about how the song will be accompanied by a 25-minute short film produced by Denzel Washington in which he and J-Hud will portray a couple in a rocky relationship representing all of the dark dysfunction felt in the song. “Picture Perfect” is another favorite that unfolds in a funky yet gritty way that breaks down the real moments between a couple going through the ups and downs of domestic life. This is one of the moments, as well as in the song “Waiting On You”, where a certain mature soulfulness is heard in Tyrese’s voice that is reminiscent of R&B legends of yesteryear. Additional duets with fellow indie artists Chrisette Michele, Tank, and Brandy round out the album’s artistic integrity of true R&B singers, no gimmicks, no games.

The second half of the album is true to the formula with a number of slow, sensual ballads that aren’t necessarily standouts in nature but worth listening to. The last song on the album, however, would be an exception. If Tyrese was aiming for that instant classic Black love anthem, he’s certainly in the ballpark with “I Still Do”. Whenever you’re talking about staying together, starting a family, and doing whatever it takes to remain intact as a unit completely in love, you are definitely creating the type of music that needs to be celebrated. And as Tyrese, along with Rev. Run, continues to position himself as the next go-to male celebrity to talk about love and relationships within the Black community – with best-selling books and an upcoming talk show – Black Rose is definitely proof that he’s got some perspective to add to the conversation.

 
Written by Mai Perkins

Originally from Los Angeles, Mai Perkins is living a genuine bona fide love affair with NYC and the music that keeps its spirit moving. While spending the majority of the last decade in Brooklyn, many of her adventures around the globe are documented on her blog: Mai On The Move! www.MaiOnTheMove.com

 
Author’s rating for Black Rose

Pop Magazine’s official rating for Black Rose

Rating key
MASTERPIECE a must-have
SUPERB for heavy rotation
EXCELLENT a great achievement
VERY GOOD a respectable result
GOOD worth checking out
FAIR an average outcome
WEAK not convincing stuff
BAD an underwhelming effort
VERY BAD quite a waste
FAIL a total failure