Tye Tribbett Fans can finally breathe a sigh of relief because the "stand out" gospel act returns with his new project. MiddleChild checked in with Tye to see what he has learned in his ministry, how he feels about competition and the one thing he has to make sure he does at all times.

MiddleChild: First of all let me hear about this new album that you have these fans anticipating.

Tye Tribbett: Okay. It’s called “Stand Out” and it’s very high energy. It’s very musically creative, yet powerful message man. I’m very excited about it.

MiddleChild: “Stand Out” is a very particular title. Tell me what makes you stand out not only as an artist, but as a person as well.

Tye Tribbett: As a person? Stand out means to go against the grain. Well not to intentionally go against the grain, but to just stand for what we know is right. These day and times we’re in now man. (laughs) I mean I ain’t even talking about Godly standards yet. I mean like morals and standards. (laughs) So this album is a challenge for the younger people as well as the older people to stand for what we know is right.

MiddleChild: Okay. Well you definitely grew up in a very influential home and you said this was what you were drawn to. Was there any pressure ever as far as your artistry goes?

Tye Tribbett: Oh yea. I was never allowed to listen to no other type of music other than gospel. I grew up in a very strict home. I was mad then, but I’m so glad now. All of that was traditional, but at the same time it was also foundational. When I heard tradition, I’m done with that. I kind of done away with that, but the foundation I held on to.

MiddleChild: Okay so seeing that your style is not so traditional was there ever any backlash to it. I know Kirk Franklin and Mary Mary got a small backlash for doing what they do. So did you get any of that from fans, critics or family?

Tye Tribbett: Well yea from family and from fellow churches. We got kicked out of churches. We got misunderstood. I was upset at the time. You know, years ago, but now if it was to happen today I just understand that they don’t understand. Why get upset? My thing may not be for everybody. I used to question myself and I used to question them, but now I’ve come to a place of maturity where I understand my thing may not be for everybody. You know what I mean? If I’m at a buffet and I’m macaroni, I can’t be mad that someone passed me up to go for the greens. (both laugh)

MiddleChild: Soul food!

Tye Tribbett: Yea.

MiddleChild: Okay so I was checking out the tracklisting for the album and it said that you had Kim Burrell featured on the project, but then as I read the bio it mentioned KiKi Sheard as well. So tell me who you hooked up with on the album. Who do you have featured?

Tye Tribbett: KiKi, Kim Burrell and this lady named Judith McAlistar.

MiddleChild: Alright. Now word is that you had to go in and create this song with KiKi because it really wasn’t even a song. What’s the story behind this?

Tye Tribbett: (laughs) Yea. I don’t know. My uncle died and my boy in the choir died and the song kind of came in during a rehearsal. So on the album that we put it on it was like an interlude. Like only a minute and a half so people were like “Oh man. You can’t tease me like that. Put the rest of the song on there.” And I’m like “there is no rest of the song!” So we kind of finished it up and I got my girl KiKi on it. It’s called “Look Up”. It’s amazing.

MiddleChild: Yea. You better quit teasing people like that. They need that in they life.

Tye Tribbett: Yea. Yea. (both laugh)

MiddleChild: So what song do you hold closest to your heart right now?

Tye Tribbett: There is this song called “Chasing After You”. The song sounds almost like an acoustic set. Just myself and four other singers and a guitar. I like that cause it keeps me hungry for God. Growing up in church all my life I feel that sometimes we feel like we know all the ins and outs, ups and downs. Your friends start getting stale and you play the same, you praise the same and you read all the same scriptures…it’s like any relationship. If you don’t intentionally make it exciting and fresh and new it will grow stale and you’ll feel like you’re not doing the things you do for God. I’ll always be chasing God and wanting more of him. So that’s what that song is about.

MiddleChild: Okay. Nice. Well I always like to ask my gospel artists this. Like in the world of R&B and Hip Hop there is always like this competition thing going on. The industry period can be kind of cut throat. Is there a downside to the music industry as whole. Whether it be gospel or otherwise?

Tye Tribbett: Well the only downside…well I wouldn’t say downside. The only challenge to the gospel industry is integrity. If there is any competition I don’t really deal with that. I stick with my crew. You know. My management is my mom. I was at a concert the other week with Kirk Franklin, who would be my competitor if anything and it was cool. We’re cool. So I would say the hardest thing about this industry is integrity. Actually living or trying to live the things we sing about. I think it’s pretty good. I love it. Business is business and everything is everything so the regular sharks and snakes that go with that are going to be there (laughs), but at the end of the day I think it’s pretty good.

MiddleChild: I hear that. So when it comes to your ministry and you putting your work together do the labels get involved and be like you can or can’t say this. I won’t you to approach this record this way and so on. Are there limits to your work from the label heads or do they give you free reign to go for what you know?

Tye Tribbett: Yea. They give me free reign. I’ve never heard “You can’t” at all. I’ve just maybe heard “why don’t you try this” or “why don’t you try that”. Never tried to get me to compromise. Never tried to get me to bend. So I’ve been blessed to have free reign at Columbia.

MiddleChild: Alright. Also being a gospel artist it means that you’re put under a much larger microscope. So tell me what has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned about yourself on this journey.

Tye Tribbett: The biggest lesson I’ve learned about myself is just because you’re saved…I mean me personally, not talking about anyone else…but just because I’m saved and living and trying to do this for God does not mean…let me see how to say this. Just because you work for God does not establish your relationship with him. You know what I mean? So I have to try and make sure that I remain connected to God and not through the stage and not through the CD because that’s not my connection. That’s my work for him. So I learned that about myself like with prayer and reading the word. Because I can be like “I’m singing for him. I praise him in public”, but naw that has nothing to do with it. I have to keep my personal relationship.

MiddleChild: That’s definitely a bonus. So the CD is in stores today.

Tye Tribbett: YEA! It could not come quick enough! I think this is for everybody and I think that’s why I’m excited.

MiddleChild: I know right. Well let me give a personal shout out to my church for covering your song “Victory”. I love when they do that.

Tye Tribbett: Hey man! (laughs)

MiddleChild: Yes sir.

Tye Tribbett: Well there will be some songs on “Stand Out” they can do as well.

MiddleChild: And I’ll let them know. (laughs) Looking forward to seeing what you’re going to bring with the new project. I’m sure you’re going to be hitting the road also.

Tye Tribbett: Yes sir. We’re always working on a tour. (laughs) Nothing in stone yet, but we definitely going to be moving.

MiddleChild: Cool. Well you get much love from MiddleChild Promotions and just want to tell you about my staff member Terrell. He loves your work man and he didn’t get to cover the interview for me today, but I just wanted to let you know.

Tye Tribbett: Cool. Tell Terrell I said hey.

MiddleChild: I hope I repped hard enough for him today. (both laugh)

Tye Tribbett: Right.

MiddleChild: Good luck with this release and have a good day Tye.

Tye Tribbett: Thanks a lot. You too.