5 questions for: Tye Tribbett

Triumphantly praising its way to victory on the gospel music scene is Tye Tribbett & Greater Anointing (G.A.) with its latest release, Victory Live! Known for its fashion-forward threads, radical praise and genuine worship, Tye Tribbett and G.A. gained practically everyone's attention with its 2004 debut album Life. The hit singles "No Way" and "Everything" grasped the hearts of those who love to both praise and worship God. The son of two preachers, Tribbett was a child prodigy, playing the drums, keyboard and organ by the time he was 10 years old. In 1996, he formed his choir Greater Anointing (G.A.), and during that same year, the group won the McDonald's Gospel Choir Competition. Tribbett continues to surpass musical boundaries on Victory Live! Recently, Tribbett took some time out of his schedule to chat with EBONY.

1. Your latest album Victory Live! is filled with praise and worship songs. Why are they so important?

Because the presence of God is my guarantee for victors Just like when they carried the Ark of the Covenant in the Old Testament, that represented the Presence of God, and as long as they had that, they never lost! So when I praise and worship, I invoke the Presence of God, which is my comfort, peace and my guaranteed victory!

2. On Victory Live! the song "Sinking', is very emotional. What was the inspiration behind that song? You also included the song "Everything" which was on your first album. Why was it important to have that song included on this album as well?

The inspiration was definitely my life; I'm really telling on myself on that song. I was really just trying to expose and heal those of us who hide behind "the cloth," but yet have serious issues that are never addressed. Peter was sinking also, but he didn't backslide or go back to drinking or cursing, he simply took his eyes off Jesus! Those of us who are walking on the water can't afford to take our eyes off Jesus! [In regard to the song "Everything"], I felt kinda bad because so many people bought the first CD expecting that version of the song, so this is sort of my peace offering.

3. With your sophomore project, does it seem like your critics are beginning to accept your music? And how would like to describe your music?

I think critics are beginning to accept my music, but not because of the music. I think, first of all, because it's something holy that their kids are responding to, and they love that. [My music] is kingdom music! In the kingdom, it's Black, White, Asian, Cuban, everybody,

and I think our music should reflect the kingdom!

4. Why is reaching today's youth through your music so important?

Because God is calling them now because they're strong. We just want to help kind of unplug their ears from the "wax" of the world so that they can clearly hear God. And we don't have to wait until we're 55 to do what God says, and we want to be examples of that.

5. Some people say gospel music has gone too far. Do you think gospel music has gone too far?

Sometimes! As far as creativity, there's no such thing as too far, but I feel that sometimes in our attempt to not put a cap on the presentation or creativity of gospel music, we accept anything, whether God is in it or not, and that's when I think it goes too far, when God is not in it, and we don't mind!

COPYRIGHT 2006 Johnson Publishing Co.
COPYRIGHT 2008 Gale, Cengage Learning