Welcome, everyone! Have you ever pondered the fate of the sensational R&B ensemble, TGT? If so, this video is tailor-made for you, offering a concise account of the group’s fleeting existence. TGT comprised three esteemed solo R&B vocalists: Tyrese, Tank, and Ginuwine. Each of these artists had already carved out successful solo careers prior to joining forces, but their collective journey was not without its trials.
R&B crooner Tank embarked on his musical odyssey in the realm of gospel, later transitioning to providing background vocals for luminaries like Ginuwine and Aaliyah after completing high school. His talent caught the attention of industry insiders during a 1997 tour with Ginuwine and Aaliyah, earning him praise from both artists. Word of Tank’s prowess reached the ears of Aaliyah’s uncle, Barry Hankerson, who promptly signed Tank to his Blackground Records label. Under Blackground, Tank delivered hits such as “Maybe I Deserve” and “Please Don’t Go.” Not content with solo success, Tank also lent his songwriting and production skills to a plethora of artists including Aaliyah, Chris Brown, Kelly Rowland, and Fantasia. In a candid revelation, Tank disclosed his period of professional turmoil, recounting a time when he found solace in the support of Jamie Foxx. Reflecting on their bond, Tank recalled, “I’ve been around Jamie Foxx since 2003…When I was ready to quit and give up…he’s like, ‘Nah, you gonna live in my house, work in my studio until you find your way back.’ That’s it.” Tank’s resilience, amidst personal and professional challenges, underscores his enduring dedication to his craft.
With Jamie Foxx’s assistance, Tank found his footing once again, enabling him to resume his musical pursuits.
Tyrese’s journey into solo stardom began in 1994 with a Coca-Cola commercial. While the commercial opened many doors for him, it also presented challenges. Tyrese recalled, “Surprisingly, the cult commercial actually created challenges for me to launch my singing career. People loved the commercials so much, they weren’t ready for the Coke kid to release a song.” Despite this, Tyrese eventually secured a record deal with RCA in 1998. Alongside his music endeavors, he ventured into modeling for brands like Guess and Tommy Hilfiger and appeared in various music videos. Hits such as “Sweet Lady,” “Lately,” and “How You Gonna Act Like That” solidified his place in the music industry. However, Tyrese’s focus shifted towards acting when he was cast by John Singleton in “Baby Boy,” a role originally intended for Tupac. This opportunity paved the way for appearances in “Four Brothers,” “Waist Deep,” and major film franchises like “Fast and Furious” and “The Transformers.” Despite his success, Tyrese faced challenges in Hollywood due to colorism. Reflecting on his experiences, he noted, “Throughout my whole childhood, it was not cool to be dark-skinned… And since I’ve been in Hollywood, we dealt with the same thing.” Over time, as Hollywood embraced greater diversity, Tyrese’s film career flourished, eventually surpassing his music endeavors.
Ginuwine embarked on a fruitful solo career after a somewhat tumultuous start in the music industry. Initially, he found his footing under the mentorship of producer Devante Swing, a former member of the renowned ’90s R&B group Jodeci. Devante launched the Swing Mob label, assembling a talented collective including Missy Elliott, Timbaland, Static Major from Playa, Tweet, Magoo, and Ginuwine, forming what became known as the Basement Crew.
Within this competitive yet tight-knit group, Ginuwine honed his skills as a songwriter and performer. However, the dissolution of the Basement Crew stemmed from Devante’s controlling behavior and risky ties with figures like Suge Knight, leading to uncomfortable and even violent situations for the artists involved. Instances of physical abuse and discord over contract matters eventually led to a breaking point, prompting Ginuwine and others to depart from Devante’s fold.
Undeterred by these challenges, Ginuwine persevered and signed with Sony, releasing his debut album “Ginuwine…The Bachelor” in 1996, with executive production by Timbaland. The album proved both commercially successful and critically acclaimed, spawning hit singles like “Pony,” “Tell Me Do U Wanna,” and “I’ll Do Anything/I’m Sorry.” Subsequent albums such as “100% Ginuwine,” “The Life,” “The Senior,” “A Man’s Thoughts,” and “Elgin” further solidified his status as a prominent R&B artist.
Beyond music, Ginuwine explored acting, making appearances on TV shows like “Moesha,” “Parks and Recreation,” “Everybody Hates Chris,” and in films such as “Juwanna Mann,” “Honey,” and “The Bachelor Party.”
While enjoying professional success, Ginuwine’s personal life faced turbulence, marked by failed relationships and marriages, resulting in eight children with five different partners. Despite the challenges, Ginuwine channeled his experiences into his art, creating some of his most memorable work.
Ginuwine’s distinctive voice and artistic contributions have left an indelible mark on the R&B landscape, inspiring generations of artists who followed in his footsteps. He remains celebrated as one of the genre’s most influential figures.
The story of TGT, the super R&B group comprised of Tyrese, Ginuwine, and Tank, is one of both success and struggle. Back in 2007, Tank proposed the idea of forming the group to Tyrese and Ginuwine, but there were underlying issues between Tyrese and Ginuwine that needed addressing. Tyrese revealed on the Breakfast Club that there was some tension between him and Ginuwine, stemming from ego and attitude clashes. Despite attempts to reconcile for the sake of the group, their beef persisted, making it difficult to move forward. Tyrese admitted that they made efforts to resolve their issues but ultimately decided to part ways for the sake of their own well-being.
Despite the setback, Tank was determined to keep the group going and recruited Pleasure P from Pretty Ricky to replace Ginuwine. However, despite Pleasure P’s talent, Tank admitted that the dynamic just wasn’t the same without Ginuwine. He and Tyrese attempted to make it work, but ultimately, the chemistry wasn’t there. Despite their efforts, TGT struggled to find its footing, and the group eventually disbanded.
After facing setbacks when their album got shelved due to legal issues, the group encountered another rough patch. Despite this hurdle, they persevered and independently released the album. However, success continued to elude them, leading to the eventual disbandment of the group. Tank resumed his solo career, Tyrese returned to acting, and Pleasure P pursued his solo endeavors once more. Individually, Tank, Tyrese, and Ginuwine found success with solo albums, with Tank branching out into TV hosting on “The Real.” Tyrese diversified into writing, becoming a successful author. Ginuwine remained active in touring and music, even dropping a new single titled “Same Ol G” in 2019. Although TGT’s journey was short-lived, their impact on the R&B community remains enduring, ensuring their music’s legacy for years to come.