5 Minutes with Tyrese

The American R&B singer and actor Tyrese speaks to Reem Buhazza about his comeback album Open Invitation , his return to music and his new self-help book. Congratulations on the success of your new album Open Invitation . What does this album mean to you? Thank you. Open Invitation is the best album of my career, the best of me. I just wanted to get in the studio, sing songs from my heart and hope that people could relate and identify with what I was doing. I wanted to do things my way, and it really turned out to be the best thing I've ever done in my life. I didn't come back to outdo or be bigger and better than anyone; I'm not competitive. I'm grateful that other artists such as Usher, Trey Songz, Chris Brown, and R Kelly are keeping music alive. It's been five years since your last album. Tell me a bit about your return to music. I just really wanted to come back and do things a little differently. I think sometimes as an artist you can find yourself feeling like you're one of many when you're signed to a major label. You've got executives, A&R, the president, all of these different people; everybody has an opinion about what clothes you should wear, what type of songs you should sing, what type of videos you should shoot. I wanted to get away from all those things, really focus on the music and get back to what I really love to do. I did my album independently, and for this to be my first number one album and single ( Stay ) of my career, I just can't believe it. It's all just unreal to me right now. In the Middle East you're best known for your roles in films such as the Fast and the Furious and the Transformers series. Do you have any forthcoming film projects we can look forward to? There are other movies coming down the pipe, but right now I'm just focused on my music. I just want to spread the music love. In the eyes of the world overseas I'm seen as more of a movie star than a singing star, but this is my fifth album and music is my first love. You've recently added writing to your growing list of achievements. Tell me a bit about your new book, How to Get Out of Your Own Way . I felt like the time was right to put some motivational and inspirational stuff out there. Wherever people are in their life or career they can get hold of this book. I call it the mirror effect. I just want people to look at themselves in the mirror and decide "am I really stopping all of my own opportunities? Am I really in my own way?" that was the motivation for doing the book. Do you plan to come and visit your fans in the Middle East anytime soon? I go where I'm invited (laughs). I would love to come to Dubai! It's all about the fans and the energy. Open Invitation is now available at record stores.