Tank (American Singer)
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Durrell Artaze Babbs (born January 1, 1976), better known by his stage name Tank, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, producer and actor. He is known for the singles "
Maybe I Deserve "Maybe I Deserve" is a song written, produced and performed by American contemporary R&B singer Tank (American singer), Tank, issued as the first single (music), single from his debut studio album ''Force of Nature (Tank album), Force of Nature'' ...
" (2001), " Please Don't Go" (2007), and " When We" (2017). According to '' Billboard'', Tank has sold 1.76 million albums in the U.S. as of 2013.


Early life

Durrell Babbs was born in
Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee ( ), officially the City of Milwaukee, is both the most populous and most densely populated city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin and the county seat of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, Milwaukee County. With a population of 577,222 at th ...
and moved with his family as a child to Maryland. He was a multisport athlete in high school and was offered the opportunity to play college football. However, Tank decided to focus on music and his talent eventually led him to an opportunity to sing background vocals for
Ginuwine Elgin Baylor Lumpkin (born October 15, 1970), better known by his stage name Ginuwine, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, dancer, and actor. He began his career as a member of Swing Mob in the early 1990s. Signing to Epic Records as a solo ...
during one of the latter's tours. Tank also became a backing singer for Aaliyah, who he had met through Ginuwine in 1997. Tank later signed as an artist with Aaliyah's record label
Blackground Records Blackground Records 2.0 (legal name Blackground Records, LLC, formerly known as Blackground Records) is an American record label founded and owned by Jomo and Barry Hankerson. Initially named Blackground Enterprises, the label switched its name t ...
.


Music career


2001–2007: ''Force of Nature'', ''One Man'' and ''Sex, Love & Pain''

In 2001, Tank released his debut album ''
Force of Nature Forces of nature are literally natural phenomena. Figuratively, the term is also used to describe a thing or person that exhibits qualities which appear to be beyond outside control. Force or Forces of Nature may also refer to: Science *Fundamen ...
'' which spawned the moderate hit
Maybe I Deserve "Maybe I Deserve" is a song written, produced and performed by American contemporary R&B singer Tank (American singer), Tank, issued as the first single (music), single from his debut studio album ''Force of Nature (Tank album), Force of Nature'' ...
". In 2002, Tank released his second album '' One Man'' and a single of the same name. In 2002, Tank would later be featured on late R&B singer Aaliyah's first posthumous compilation album, ''
I Care 4 U ''I Care 4 U'' is a posthumous compilation album by American singer Aaliyah. It was released on December 10, 2002, by Blackground Records and Universal Records. Following Aaliyah's death on August 25, 2001, Blackground decided to release a posthu ...
''. Tank released his third solo album, ''
Sex, Love & Pain ''Sex, Love & Pain'' is the third studio album by American R&B singer-songwriter Tank. It was released on May 15, 2007 by Blackground Records and Universal Motown Records. The album debuted at number two on the ''Billboard'' 200, selling 103,000 c ...
'', in May 2007. The lead single of the album was the minor hit " Please Don't Go", which peaked at number 21 on the US ''Billboard'' Hot 100 chart. Later in the year Tank, Ginuwine and
Tyrese Gibson Tyrese Darnell Gibson (born December 30, 1978) is an American actor and singer. He released his self-titled debut album in 1998, which featured the single " Sweet Lady", peaking at number twelve on the U.S. ''Billboard'' Hot 100. His second ...
formed a group called TGT. The group was put on hold due to contractual issues, but would go on to sign a contract with Atlantic Records in September 2012.


2010–2014: ''Now or Never'', ''This Is How I Feel'' and ''Stronger''

Tank released his fourth studio album, '' Now or Never'', in December 2010. Tank collaborated with artists who included Chris Brown,
Drake Drake may refer to: Animals * A male duck People and fictional characters * Drake (surname), a list of people and fictional characters with the family name * Drake (given name), a list of people and fictional characters with the given name * ...
,
Letoya Luckett LeToya Nicole Luckett (born March 11, 1981) is an American R&B singer and actress. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as a founding member of the R&B girl group Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. As a me ...
on this project. The singles were " Sex Music", " I Can't Make You Love Me", and "
Emergency An emergency is an urgent, unexpected, and usually dangerous situation that poses an immediate risk to health, life, property, or environment and requires immediate action. Most emergencies require urgent intervention to prevent a worsening ...
". Tank released his fifth studio album, ''
This Is How I Feel ''This is How I Feel'' is the fifth studio album by the R&B singer Tank. It was released by Atlantic Records on May 8, 2012. Singles The album first single "Compliments" was released on October 17, 2011. It features Kris Stephens, and on the ...
'', in May 2012. Tank collaborated with the artists Chris Brown, Busta Rhymes, T.I. and
Kris Stephens Kristina Marie Stephens (born January 21, 1987) is an American singer and songwriter. She has written songs for artists such as Shakira, Pitbull, Chris Brown, Jennifer Lopez, LeToya Luckett and Keyshia Cole. As an artist, her vocals have been ...
on the album. The song "Compliments", featuring Kris Stephens and T.I., was released as the lead single in October 2011. On September 14, 2013, Tank sang the U.S. national anthem before the Floyd Mayweather vs. Saúl Álvarez fight in
Las Vegas, Nevada Las Vegas (; Spanish for "The Meadows"), often known simply as Vegas, is the 25th-most populous city in the United States, the most populous city in the state of Nevada, and the county seat of Clark County. The city anchors the Las Vegas ...
. His sixth studio album '' Stronger'' was released in August 2014. It featured the singles "You're My Star" and the title track. They did not make the US Hot 100 but both peaked in the Top 20 of the US Urban AC chart. The album marked a slight departure from his previous releases, focusing on a "retro R&B sound" for the album. Following disappointing sales of the release, Tank had claimed the album would be his last.


2015–present: ''Sex Love & Pain II'', ''Savage'' and ''R&B Money''

In February 2015, a mixtape album, ''If You Were Mine'', was released. Later that year, Tank premiered a new single, "You Don't Know", featuring Wale. It served as the lead single for his seventh studio album '' Sex Love & Pain II'', released in January 2016. The album debuted at #1 on the Billboard R&B chart (marking his 5th album to do so) and #15 on the US Top 200 Albums chart. A second single "#BDAY" followed later that year, in addition to a holiday EP ''A Classic Christmas Night'' in December, released independently. In May 2017, Tank performed at Washington DC's Black Gay Pride event, garnering both praise and criticism and setting off a debate concerning the rare instances male R&B artists perform at LGBT events. In September 2017, Tank released his eighth studio album, ''Savage''. The album's lead single " When We", has peaked at number 86 on the ''Billboard'' Hot 100. In October 2019, Tank released his ninth studio album ''ELEVATION''. He then released a piano-laced EP titled ''While You Wait'' on March 27, 2020. On February 26, 2021, Tank released the single "Can't Let It Show" of which the chorus interpolates the 1989
Kate Bush Catherine Bush (born 30 July 1958) is an English singer, songwriter, record producer and dancer. In 1978, at the age of 19, she topped the UK Singles Chart for four weeks with her debut single " Wuthering Heights", becoming the first female ...
single "
This Woman's Work "This Woman's Work" is a song written and performed by the British singer Kate Bush. It was originally featured on the soundtrack of the American film ''She's Having a Baby'' (1988). The song was released as the second single from her album '' ...
". Kate Bush is credited for the song alongside Tank. In August 2021, it was announced that Blackground Records would be rereleasing discographies of artists including Tank, Aaliyah,
Toni Braxton Toni Michele Braxton (born October 7, 1967) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, actress and television personality. She has sold over 70 million records worldwide and is one of the best-selling female artists in history. Braxton has won ...
and
Timbaland & Magoo Timbaland & Magoo were a rap duo consisting of producer/rapper Timothy "Timbaland" Mosley and rapper Melvin "Magoo" Barcliff, formed in 1989. Hailing from Norfolk, Virginia, the duo first met when they were teenagers. They later paired up as ...
. Tank's first three studio albums were reissued on CD, cassette, vinyl, digital download and for the first time, streaming, on September 17, 2021. On October 29, 2021, Tank released "I Deserve" from his upcoming tenth and final album ''R&B Money''. The single reached the top 10 on the R&B Radio chart. Tank was nominated, for the first time, for an American Music Award for Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist, held on November 21, 2021. He lost to
The Weeknd Abel Makkonen Tesfaye (born February 16, 1990), known professionally as the Weeknd, is a Canadian singer, songwriter, record producer, and actor. Known for his sonic versatility and dark lyricism, his music explores escapism, romance, and ...
.


Other ventures


Writing and producing

Tank's songwriting and production credits include working with Aaliyah, Beyoncé,
Dave Hollister David Le Chaine Hollister (born August 17, 1968) is an American R&B singer who found fame during the 1990s as one quarter of the R&B quartet Blackstreet, before going on to have a solo career. Hollister is best known for his 2000 gold-certifie ...
,
Fantasia Barrino Fantasia Monique Barrino-Taylor (born June 30, 1984), known professionally by her mononym Fantasia, is an American R&B singer and actress. She rose to fame as the winner of the third season of the reality television series ''American Idol'' in ...
,
Kelly Rowland Kelendria Trene Rowland (born February 11, 1981) is an American singer, actress, and television personality. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. During the gr ...
,
Marques Houston Marques Barrett Houston (born August 4, 1981) is an American R&B singer, songwriter, and actor. A member of the R&B group Immature/IMx from 1990 until 2002, Houston went solo in 2003. As an actor, he is best known for his role as Roger Evans ...
,
Omarion Omari Ishmael Grandberry (born November 12, 1984), better known by his stage name Omarion, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, actor and dancer. He rose to prominence as the lead singer of the boy band B2K. The group achieved success in the e ...
,
Jamie Foxx Eric Marlon Bishop (born December 13, 1967), known professionally as Jamie Foxx, is an American actor, comedian, and singer. He became widely known for his portrayal of Ray Charles in the 2004 biographical film ''Ray'', for which he won the A ...
,
Pitbull Pit bull is a term used in the United States for a type of dog descended from bulldogs and terriers, while in other countries such as the United Kingdom the term is used as an abbreviation of the American Pit Bull Terrier breed. The term was f ...
,
Donell Jones Donell Jones (born May 22, 1973) is an American singer, songwriter, and record producer. He is most notable for the Hit song, hits "U Know What's Up", "Where I Wanna Be (Donell Jones song), Where I Wanna Be", and his cover version, cover of Ste ...
and Monica as a member of the production team the Underdogs and with his own team, Song Dynasty.


Acting

He was a contributor to the score of the film adaptation of the musical ''
Dreamgirls ''Dreamgirls'' is a Broadway musical, with music by Henry Krieger and lyrics and book by Tom Eyen. Based on the show business aspirations and successes of R&B acts such as The Supremes, The Shirelles, James Brown, Jackie Wilson, and others,G ...
'', in which he had a cameo. He was also featured in the movie ''
Preacher's Kid Preacher's kid is a term to refer to a child of a preacher, pastor, deacon, vicar, lay leader, priest, minister or other similar church leader. Although the phrase can be used in a purely descriptive way, it may also be used as a stereotype. ...
''. Tank played Donovan in ''
Born Again Virgin ''Born Again Virgin'' is an American comedy-drama series, created by Ranada Shepard, that premiered on TV One on August 5, 2015. The pilot episode preview aired on February 6, 2015. The single-camera project set in Atlanta, and stars Danielle Ni ...
'' (2015–2016). He also played recording company executive
Jheryl Busby Jheryl Busby (May 5, 1949 – November 4, 2008) was an American recording company executive who was the former President and Chief Executive Officer of Motown Records. Biography Busby grew up in South Central Los Angeles, where he went to ...
in the BET miniseries ''
The New Edition Story ''The New Edition Story'' is an American biographical three-part miniseries about the contemporary R&B, R&B group New Edition, from their rise to fame as a boy band from the Orchard Park Projects of Roxbury, Massachusetts, to becoming a successfu ...
'' (2017), ''The Bobby Brown Story'' (2018) and ''T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle'' (2018).


Personal life

He got engaged to his longtime girlfriend Zena Foster on January 16, 2017. They've been together on and off since 2000 and share two children, Zion and Zoey. They were married in Los Angeles, California, on July 22, 2018. There were several celebrities in the ceremony, including
Kelly Rowland Kelendria Trene Rowland (born February 11, 1981) is an American singer, actress, and television personality. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as a member of Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. During the gr ...
,
Jamie Foxx Eric Marlon Bishop (born December 13, 1967), known professionally as Jamie Foxx, is an American actor, comedian, and singer. He became widely known for his portrayal of Ray Charles in the 2004 biographical film ''Ray'', for which he won the A ...
,
Larenz Tate Larenz Tate (born September 8, 1975) is an American film and television actor. He is best known for his roles as O-Dog in ''Menace II Society'' and as Councilman Rashad Tate in ''Power''. Tate's other films and television series include the fil ...
,
LeToya Luckett LeToya Nicole Luckett (born March 11, 1981) is an American R&B singer and actress. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as a founding member of the R&B girl group Destiny's Child, one of the world's best-selling girl groups of all time. As a me ...
,
Steelo Brim Sterling "Steelo" Brim (born June 5, 1988) is an American television personality, comedian, and actor. He is a co-host and producer of MTV's '' Ridiculousness. Biography Brim was born and raised in Chicago, Illinois. His mother, Tracy Brim, is a ...
and many more. Tank is also the father of three more children from previous relationships: Jordan, Ryen, and Durrell Jr.


Discography

;Studio albums * ''
Force of Nature Forces of nature are literally natural phenomena. Figuratively, the term is also used to describe a thing or person that exhibits qualities which appear to be beyond outside control. Force or Forces of Nature may also refer to: Science *Fundamen ...
'' (2001) * '' One Man'' (2002) * ''
Sex, Love & Pain ''Sex, Love & Pain'' is the third studio album by American R&B singer-songwriter Tank. It was released on May 15, 2007 by Blackground Records and Universal Motown Records. The album debuted at number two on the ''Billboard'' 200, selling 103,000 c ...
'' (2007) * '' Now or Never'' (2010) * ''
This Is How I Feel ''This is How I Feel'' is the fifth studio album by the R&B singer Tank. It was released by Atlantic Records on May 8, 2012. Singles The album first single "Compliments" was released on October 17, 2011. It features Kris Stephens, and on the ...
'' (2012) * '' Stronger'' (2014) * '' Sex Love & Pain II'' (2016) * ''
Savage Savage may refer to: Places Antarctica * Savage Glacier, Ellsworth Land * Savage Nunatak, Marie Byrd Land * Savage Ridge, Victoria Land United States * Savage, Maryland, an unincorporated community * Savage, Minnesota, a city * Savage, Mi ...
'' (2017) * ''
Elevation The elevation of a geographic location is its height above or below a fixed reference point, most commonly a reference geoid, a mathematical model of the Earth's sea level as an equipotential gravitational surface (see Geodetic datum § Vert ...
'' (2019) * '' R&B Money'' (2022) ;Collaborative albums * ''
Three Kings The biblical Magi from Middle Persian ''moɣ''(''mard'') from Old Persian ''magu-'' 'Zoroastrian clergyman' ( or ; singular: ), also referred to as the (Three) Wise Men or (Three) Kings, also the Three Magi were distinguished foreigners in the ...
'' (2013)


Filmography


Film


Television


Awards and nominations


Grammy Awards


Soul Train Music Awards The Soul Train Music Awards is an annual music awards show which previously aired in national broadcast syndication, and honors the best in African-American culture, music and entertainment. It is produced by the makers of '' Soul Train'', the p ...


References


External links


Official website
* {{DEFAULTSORT:Tank 1976 births American hip hop singers American contemporary R&B singers Living people Musicians from Milwaukee Singers from Washington, D.C. Atlantic Records artists American soul singers 21st-century African-American male singers TGT (group) members