A few weeks ago, BA wrote on the challenges Tyrese was facing with getting his #1 Billboard album, “Black Rose”, across all media formats specifically mainstream media. In the eloquent letter, Gibson penned his concern that in order for black artists to get play on these stations, the artists have to change their sound (cross over). The idea of mainstream radio not wanting to hear the genre is moot because mainstream radio plays soulful singers such as Sam Smith, Justin Timberlake, Adele, James Blake…etc. Therefore the genre is not the problem; it is the artists. Tyrese also noted that the aforementioned artists don’t face those types of problems with their play across urban media formats.
Tyrese has even publicly addressed his concern to Ryan Seacrest (American Top 40) in a search for answers. Not to be discouraged, Gibson took it back to a grass roots effort. Using social media to bring awareness, Gibson upped the ante by protesting in front of iHeart radio. Not a problem unless you are an R&B icon and one of the stars of a movie franchise that grossed $6 billion. You draw crowds. Garnering the attention of cops, Tyrese was cited because the protest blocked traffic. I’m not sure why eight police cars and four motorcycles (according to Tyrese IG) was needed. Considering the purpose of the protest, a simple redirection would have sufficed.
I will say I like Gibson’s dedication. Instead of waiting on a Top 40 to play his music to their listeners, Tyrese handed out physical copies to the potential listeners. This has been an issue urban artists have faced for years. In order to seek a greater audience, urban artists have to conform or change when that isn’t an expectation of all artists, only the urban ones. If I play R&B Soul from Adele, I will play it from Tyrese , Tamia, Jill Scott etc. because my listeners like R&B Soul.
A measly ticket versus making a point. I think Tyrese came out on top!
-Niko Rose
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