My extended hand was kindly ignored as R&B singer Tank went for a hug instead of a formal handshake. Even though he was bundled up against the frigid New York temperatures, Tank’s chiseled frame was not hard to detect underneath all those layers.
His fourth studio album “Now or Never” dropped earlier in the day and in less than an hour he would be taking the stage at SOB’s nightclub after an opening performance by Kandi Burruss, whose new solo album was also on its first day of sales.
Animated, happy and very funny (he could have his on television show), Tank sat down with Madame Noire to talk about his new album, whether or not he listens to his own music during sex and why you don’t often see male R &B artists hanging out together.
Congratulations on the new record deal with Atlantic and the new album! I heard you killed it last night in Atlanta.
Thank you, thank you. What’s going on right there? (points to my wedding ring)
I’m married. That’s my wedding ring!
You betta act right! Whoever gave you that ring is not bullShytetin’. Shyte!
I think I’m doing alright by him and he’s good to me too, but back to you. How would you describe the new album?
I’m very happy, very happy. This album is the culmination of a journey. All the work, blood, sweat and tears of the first three albums brought me to this point.
Where does the title “Now or Never” come from?
It’s my part in trying to keep real music alive. Now is the time to really address that. We have to make sure that along with the new things that people are doing, we also get the foundation of what R&B music is really about. The title “Now or Never” is about the urgency of it. Let’s get it done now. Let’s not procrastinate.
This might be a tough question because I’m sure the whole album is your baby, but do you have a favorite track?
I love the “Celebration” record with Drake. It’s very smooth. I also love the Bonnie Raitt track, “I Can’t Make You Love Me.” It’s a very special record.
Speaking of Drake, you worked with him, Chris Brown and J. Valentine on this album. What was it like working with all those guys?
It was cool! I’m always just trying to get in the studio and make good music. Drake came about just out of respect. He gave me a shout out on his first single. Got some more walk-throughs because of him! I appreciated that. We just really wanted to find a way to collaborate.
On the blogs, you always see female celebrities who are bffs, even women in the same field, but you don’t often see male celebrities, especially R&B singers just hanging out together. Do you have any real homies in the industry? I know Tyrese and Ginuwine would be in there.
I have Ty and G and we try to get together anytime we can, but we’re always moving in different directions with our schedules. That’s what keeps a lot of us apart. But a lot of male artists have real big egos. If you’re hanging out, somebody always has to top somebody else. If this guy orders two bottles, the other guy orders three and the other guy orders four more. That last guy buys out the bar. R&B is always a weird competition. With R&B it’s one guy on stage trying to sway all the women, so we’re a little more selfish.
Something people might not know about you is all the writing and producing you’ve done for other artists. Can you tell us a little about that?
Dave Hollister, Gladys Knight, Chris Brown, Jamie Foxx, Ron Isley, Keith Sweat, Fantasia, Kelly Rowland, Omarion, Marques Houston, Day 26. I could go on and on. It’s a lot of people.
Basically, ere’body.
Exactly. Ere’body.
“Now or Never” definitely has that grown man soul feel to it. Is this a more personal album for you?
Yeah, it’s about where I am now. I’m very happy. I’m not in the dark place I used to be on “Sex, Love and Pain” where my heart was broken and I hated her. “Wedding Song” was about the wedding that never happened. This album is more so about appreciation, celebration. It’s about the strength of a relationship.
Are you single?
Yes!
That was a fast answer.
Yeah, I’m very clear on that one.
Have you ever dated a fan? I’m sure most of the women you’ve dated are fans of your music, but a real fan fan.
(thoughtful pause) I’ve never dated an obsessed fan. I think it’s hard to meet somebody who would not know at least a little bit about what you do. I’ve never dated anyone who didn’t have an appreciation for my music. That’d be weird. “I’m not really feeling your music, but pick me up at 7 o’clock?”
“Slowly” from the “Force of Nature” album is one of my favorite tracks from you. Do you ever listen to your own music when you’re…
Having sex? No. I’m always critiquing. It’s like “Ooh, that could have been better. No, not you. I’m just talking out loud. I was talking about something else.” I try to stay away from that.
This album is very reflective about the realistic little bits of being in a relationship. Some guys say that monogamy is not natural, especially for men. What do you think about that? Do you think it’s possible to spend a happily ever after with one person?
Anything is possible, but what is natural is what is. What you desire as a young boy to an old man never changes. Everybody else tries to ignore it or put their little spin on it and say what men should do and how men should act, but a woman can’t necessarily say that because a woman isn’t built like us. We’re totally opposite creatures.
So, is it possible to make it work and be happy?
I think a relationship lasting forever is more about understanding and less about cheating or lying or all the other things that can crack the integrity of a relationship. It’s about two people accepting each other. When you have kids, you don’t break up with the kids as soon as they do something wrong. That’s a life long commitment. There are consequences involved, but there’s no dis-ownership. What we lack now is a forgiving spirit. Everything is about our own individual happiness these days. At any point in time if you let us down then that’s just not good enough and it’s over. But we make mistakes. That’s part of being in the human race. That was a long answer, huh?
Yes, that was a lot, but that was a very thorough, nuanced response.
Thank you. I pride myself in such things.
Last question, what do you look for in a woman?
Spirituality, strong-willed, back-bone, hold a playa down. She has to have a sense of humor and she has to be health conscious. At least go to the gym once a week or something. Get your cardio up. I don’t wanna be in there and you tired. Like, are we gone finish or what we gone do? I love feet and legs. I have a foot fetish.
You must hate the winter. Everybody’s wearing boots!
Yeah! You can’t really see what a woman is about with her boots on. From head to shin you might be like “Aw man, this is a dime!” Then she takes are shoes off and it’s like “Ahhhh!” (makes gnarled toes with his fingers) Legs and feet will get you in the door for sure.
Duly noted. Thank you for sitting down with us!
Thank you! Now, go do right by that man.
