Published: Monday - May 14, 2007
Words by Anne van de Sande
Tank (Photo: Blackground)
Durrell Babbs took the opportunity to become a solo artist in 2001, but apart from his classic, "Maybe I Deserve," none of the songs he released under his alter ego, Tank, managed to surpass the chart success of the material he co-wrote and produced for others. Monster tracks such as Ruben Studdard's "Change Me," Monica's "Sideline Ho" and Omarion's "O" adorn his resume, which also includes the title "backing vocalist for Ginuwine and Aaliyah." In between writing songs for others and appearing in a stage play called "Men, Money and Gold Diggers," the soulful womanizer found time to work on his third album, Sex, Love & Pain, which hits stores May 15.
Read on as a laid back Tank speaks with Ballerstatus.com about his new record, studio time with Kelly Rowland, writing for others and why you should check out his hot and sexy live shows.
BallerStatus.com: Your third album, Sex, Love & Pain, will be released soon. It's been a while since we last heard from you. Your last album, One Man, was released in 2001. What have you been up to in between?
Tank: I've been writing and producing for everybody -- for Ruben Studdard, Omarion, Fantasia.... I wanted to let the world know that Tank is not just an artist, you know?
BallerStatus.com: So about the songwriting, how does it work? Do you write material with a certain artists in mind and then approach them with what you've made, or do you just pen songs on a regular basis and sell them?
Tank: You know, it works both ways. Sometimes they call and ask for a song for a specific artist and if we can do it in a certain way. Sometimes they just come to me and say "Hey, we need records for these artists," and then we get it crackin'.
BallerStatus.com: As you already said earlier, you've worked with a variety of people. Out of all the people you worked with, which collaboration do you hold the closest to your heart and why?
Tank: I think... you know what, the Kelly Rowland duet that we had. The one that I produced for me and her and which will be on her new album. It's incredible. I mean, every time I hear the record, I just want to run around and let everybody hear it, but unfortunately I can't because the record is not out yet. But I just want everyone in the world to see how talented she is. People really don't know. I guess in a way we both have been underrated for a little while.
BallerStatus.com: What was it like working with her and being with her in the studio?
Tank: I mean, it felt like working with my little sister. It was fantastic... felt like we worked together before. It worked out cool, she's a beautiful young lady.
BallerStatus.com: Back to your album. When you first started to write and record the album, what did you want to achieve artistically?
Tank: Honestly, we didn't even really have a goal in mind. I've been working for a lot of other artists, so I did this album in between. What we wanted to do, was put out music with a good message. A lot of times when you write for trendy artists, you have to write in a certain way, you know? Cliché. So I just wanted to write different, make good music... like the new single.
BallerStatus.com: Did you write and produce all of the songs yourself? Who do you have on it?
Tank: Most of them I did, but we also got Timbaland and some other people on there. [That's] really cool. It's not spread out. It's just a handful of magical people that I have been working with.
BallerStatus.com: How would you describe the overall vibe? More up-tempo or slow jams?
Tank: Yeah, definitely more slow jams, more stories. As the title says, "a lot of love, a lot of sex, and a lot of pain." More back to the roots of R&B, singing about the blues, about the ladies and how you ain't got no money to take her out (laughs). Trying to get back, begging her to stay... like Keith Sweat, Bobby Brown, take it there.
BallerStatus.com: When you are writing, is it always from a personal experiences, or do you have to some times get into character?
Tank: It depends. Sometimes I just dive into a character and write about stories I've heard from others, and sometimes I just write it from me and take some of my own experiences and put them all together. For me, there's really not a limit to what inspires me to write a song.
BallerStatus.com: You've been in the game for quite some time now. What would you say are some of the most rewarding things about being in this industry?
Tank: Getting free drinks (laughs). Nah, just going in stage and performing for billions of people. Singing your song and see all these eyes stare at you, and feel how they can relate to your music. That's the most rewarding thing about being in this industry. You know, you got your homies that agree with you, but when you see all these people and how they can relate to the things I say in my songs, that's incredible.
BallerStatus.com: So you love doing live shows, performances... can we expect a tour for the new album?
Tank: Oh yeah definitely. We'll be going on tour in June and July. When it's really hot, we'll be touring around the world. Even places where they can't pronounce my name, where they say Dank or Tink or whatever (laughs). I want everyone to come see my show and check me out, because it's gonna be hot and sexy.
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