Congratulations are in order for singer and actor Tyrese.
After employing a series of unique promotional stunts in support of his new album, Black Rose, the 36-year-old Los Angeles native now officially has his first No. 1 album.
Powered by the hit ballad. “Shame,” which features Jennifer Hudson in the riveting video, Black Rose will debut at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200 chart dated Aug. 1 with 86,000 equivalent albums sold for the week ending July 16. The album was released on July 10 via Tyrese’s own Voltron Recordz, which is distributed through Capitol Music Group.
Utilizing “back to basics” marketing tactics such as singing on the subway, going to Target, and even singing on the back of the bus on the same route featured in the Coca-Cola commercial that launched his career, Tyrese generated a huge buzz for the project that he deems “the album that saved R&B.”
A recent Instagram post by the singer highlighted his excitement about his accomplishment:
We’re celebrating!!! That moment when you bow your head and lift up your hands and say THANK YOU FATHER GOD for these gifts and opportunities I will NEVER take my access for granted!! God is the greatest!!!! I’m so grateful… So grateful!! The album that saved R&B….. Whatever the first week of sales are, doesn’t matter…. Every interview, every radio spin, every PD and on air personality shouting out my #Shame single and #BlackRose, all of the social media fun we’ve had and more importantly every fan and supporter…. Even if you couldn’t buy the album I love you and I’m smiling ANYWAY… You guys should be very very proud… WE made a statement…. WE took a pure R&B album to #1 in 15 countries and #1 on the TOP 200 and #1 on the R&B Billboard charts!!!!
Tyrese has had a string of top 25 albums beginning with his 1998 self-titled debut. Until now, 2011’s Open Initiation was his highest charting album, bowing at No.9 on the Billboard chart.
Interesting enough, Tyrese has claimed that Black Rose will be his final solo album. One has to wonder if he will now renege on that declaration or if he will consider this triumph as his swan song.
