I love Tye Tribbett!
I think a lot of people don't understand him because of his contemporary looks and unique musical style. He doesn't sample like a lot of artists (doesn't take a secular song and make it his own). His sound is really his own and it's great! IMO he is head and shoulders above most contemporary Gospel/Christian artists.
He is actually very much against Christians listening to "secular" music (he calls it dead music) and he talks about it a lot. Actually not that many of his songs have a heavy R&B vibe. I just think a lot of people think that b/c those are the songs of his that get heavy radio play. I actually put him in the same category as Israel (worship), Tye's still is just different than Israels -- they both have their own sound.
But I must say that his songs are really powerful and his new album is especially great with a LOT of worship songs.
Actually, all his albums have lots of worship songs on them. Once you get past the radio cuts that most stations play over and over you might be surprised! His music is really powerful. Have you ever heard his song "Everything to Me" ?
http://youtube.com/watch?v=c3X6qCogleU&feature=related
He is really misunderstood IMO. And I really believe his music is really for THIS generation, not the old folks
Have you ever been to one of his concerts? I've been to two. He takes a long time out in the middle of his set to just preach to the kids. He ends up having them come to the altar and confess their sins to the Lord (I've been to Southern Gospel/down home Color Purple churchy concerts and that NEVER happens at most of them).
At his last concert, I ended up having to leave early b/c he started preaching and I had to go to work in the morning
I was convicted and I had a good time. Plus you've got to admire a guy who travels with his brother (a band member) and wife (a background singer).
Young people really look up to him and you can tell in person that he feel passionately about his ministry. He is a great example of a Christian family man who loves God. I know people who have left his concerts convicted and determined to change their lives.
I know people who have hung out with him and they say that he is one of the most chill, genuine people/Christians that you would want to meet.
At this last concert (it was at a church), he ran into the crowd while he was ministering and a lot of the young people started taking pictures of him with their camera phones.
He gently rebuked them and said that they should respect the sanctuary b/c it is the Lord's house and not his (Tye's house). He told them all that he would take pictures with whoever wanted to after the service and asked them to respect God's sanctuary. And he really did stay afterwards (as he does a lot) to take pictures with whoever wanted to.
His music is really live, energetic and exciting. He gives one of the best live gospel performances I've ever seen.
Please don't judge a book by its cover (or only the songs that get heavy radio play). Get the CD and decide for yourselves.