Tye Tribbett & G.A.

New Album "Victory" - Live, in stores Tuesday, May 23rd, 2006

Born in Camden, New Jersey, Tye Tribbett is the son of a preacher man and a preacher woman. Growing up in his father's church, Tye learned to make music at an early age. "I've been playing all my life," he explains. "Before I knew my ABC's, I knew the ABC's on the keys."

Outside of church, Tye vividly recalls the evenings he spent in his garage. There, along with brother Terry, Tye constructed a makeshift rehearsal room that attracted local musicians as well as the 'players' from Philadelphia and Baltimore. As a teenager, he honed his skills as a keyboardist by accompanying such regional notables as Steve Middleton and the Tri-State Mass Choir of the Edwin Hawkins Music & Arts Seminar. Although he received frequent gig offers, Tye remembers wanting more. "We had made so much music in the garage that I started putting words to the music," he recalls, "and then I just needed a choir to deliver the songs, the message."

In 1996 he founded a gospel choir, Greater Anointing (G.A). At first, the group consisted of his friends whose hearts were simply set on making great music. Tye knew from the beginning he'd struck gold, "That first rehearsal, it blew my mind," he says. "The musicianship, the quality of the voices and the spirit of the choir, the character of everybody…I knew that this was it. I knew that this is what I was supposed to be doing."

Whether it was intuition or destiny, later that year, under Tye's direction, G.A. went on to win first place in the national Gospel Choir Awards Competition sponsored by Wrigley's Chewing Gum. That remarkable performance caught the eye of the Grammy award-winning songwriter/producer David Foster. Awestruck, Foster promptly arranged for his close friend, country singer Faith Hill to meet the group. Amazed by their youthful show-stopping dance moves and heavenly voices, Hill embraced Tribbett and his choir instantly and, four years later, invited them to join her on tour.

The 2000 Faith Hill Tour was an eye-opener for Tye. As a gospel-bred musician he was wary of other audiences. Tye describes his turning point, "I was a gospel guy with a choir on a country tour. The experience hooked me up musically, though. I started writing differently. I saw that you could reach all kinds of people. So I switched up my style of writing because I thought these people needed to hear the message, too."

Tye Tribbett & G.A.'s fan base grew and, by 1998, they were recording with the then-emerging artists Mary Mary and R&B singer Dave Hollister on a song titled "Let Go, Let God" for the Prince of Egypt soundtrack. Eventually, Tye and G.A. caught the attention of the celebrated gospel artist John P. Kee who took them under his wing but, more importantly, planted the seeds of encouragement.

For certain, Tye Tribbett--singer, songwriter, choir director and producer--has a mission. Through G.A. he aims to "spread the message of hope, the message of Christ, the message of love." As demonstrated through their appearances on a couple of late 2002 releases--Justin Timberlake's "Cry Me A River" and Common's Electric Circus--Tye & G.A. are fulfilling that mission twofold. Unlike traditionalists, the 27-year-old artist has created a limitless sound, a sound that has enabled him, and his ensemble, to tour within the gospel industry as well as with mainstream artists like Grammy-Award winning R&B singer Musiq (Soulchild) and country sensation Faith Hill.

Tye & G.A. have performed with many of the finest artists in gospel including Yolanda Adams, Kim Burrell, Hezekiah Walker, John P. Kee, Mary Mary and Bobby Jones. In addition, Tye Tribbett & G.A have shared stages with world-class superstars. From Destiny's Child, India.Arie and Vanessa Williams to John Mellencamp, Don Henley and Sting, Tye & G.A. have worked with the crème de la crème of the music industry.

Tye emphasizes his strategy of channeling gospel music into secular music. "Our style is like the Trojan Horse," he explains. "The way we present ourselves is accepted by the masses. But once we open up and reveal what is inside of us, they get the full experience, the message of Christ."

Tribbett delivers a solid collection of genre-defying tracks on his Axis Music Group/Sony Urban/Columbia debut album, Life, produced by James Poyser for Axis Music Group and co-produced by Tye Tribbett II for Sound v (pronounced "sound check"). The album's first single, "Mighty Long Way," presents a celebratory message encouraging listeners to be mindful of God's work and to "look where He brought you from." It is an up-tempo testimonial showcasing the harmonious vocals of G.A. and the cutting edge music of Sound v, his seven-piece band. But Life also offers slow-driven traditional gospel like "Answer" and "You Can Change," featuring Kim Burrell.

If he had to describe his sound, Tye laughs, "We are Earth, Wind & Fire meet Christ." But the album's musical depth can be attributed to his mix of influences. "The Yellow Jackets, Jaco Pastorius, Donny (Hathaway) and Stevie (Wonder) were all my favorites," he offers. "Today, there are artists like Erykah (Badu), The Roots and Soulquarians who I musically connect with. I grew up listening to the gospel greats, but John P. Kee's music was the first gospel music that was different and Kirk Franklin revolutionized it. They paved the way for me."

Although Life comes straight from the heart and soul of Tribbett, the project is also the product of "music un-defined or M.U.D.," he explains. "In the Bible, the Spirit is synonymous with water. So the Holy Spirit is water and we're the dust of the earth. Together, that makes us mud. As long as His Spirit is in us…just like clay, he can make us to be 'hip-hop.' He can make us 'pop'. He can make us 'country.' He can make us anything. But as soon as He's not in us, we'll dry up and we'll break under pressure. It is this range that exhibits dexterity and ultimately defines the soul stirring album, Life.

Driven by Tribbett's steadfast faith and vast talent, Tye Tribbett & G.A. are sure to leave their mark on gospel and beyond. There is no question that audiences are ready. As Tye asserts, "We can be anywhere because God is everywhere."

Washington, D.C. -- Dr. Kenneth Levar Riddle, whose soulful tenor voice glorified the Lord through the gift of gospel music, has passed from his earthly life, through the Grace of God, into the eternal life promised in Holy Scripture.

A native of Alexandria, Virginia, Dr. Riddle, affectionately known as "Kenneth" to his family, friends, fans, and his fellow members of Tye Tribbett and Greater Anointing, will be missed by all. Many of the high spirited moves and choreography of Greater Anointing were the results of the talented and spirit-filled heart of Kenneth.

Kenneth was born in Youngstown, Ohio, on June 27, 1980, to Gail Riddle-LaRoda and Kenneth L. Riddle. He received his early education in the City of Cincinnati, Ohio, and completed High School in the State of New Jersey. Having been at the top of his classes throughout Elementary, Junior High and High School, it was no wonder that he would excel in college where he matriculated at Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia in 2004 with a Doctor of Pharmaceuticals Degree. This brilliant young man maintained his status on the Dean's List during his entire college career.

Kenneth had a profound love for the Lord and was saved at a very early age at the Greater Bethlehem Temple Church in Cincinnati, Ohio. Upon his relocation, with his loving mother, to the City of Camden, New Jersey at the age of 10, Kenneth became a member of the El Bethel Church of Christ in Camden. He went on to become a member of Restoring Life Church in Baltimore, Maryland, under the leadership of Pastor Ken and was a faithful member until his passing.

Kenneth epitomized the meaning of "Remember thy creator in the days of thy youth."

Funeral services will be held on Monday, September 5, 2005 at the Empowerment Church, 4217 - 4221 Primrose Avenue, Baltimore, MD 21215 with Pastor Jamal Bryant officiating. The viewing will convene at 8:30am, followed by the Home Going Celebration at 10:00am.

(Pictured above; Dr. Kenneth Levar Riddle and his fiancé Princess Myers)