T-Bone (rapper)
Encyclopedia
T-Bone is a Christian rapper. His father is Nicaragua
n and his mother is Salvadoran. His name came from being called 'Bones' as a youngster because he was very skinny. The 'T' was "added to give the name a little slang edge, hence the name 'T-Bone' was born." Later on, he redefined the name to mean 'Talking Biblical ONE'.
His first three albums: Redeemed Hoodlum in 1991, Tha Life of a Hoodlum in 1993 and Tha Hoodlum's Testimony in 1995 were released on the independent Metro One record label. All these 3 albums were characterised by being gangsta rap
albums, which was rare in the Christian music scene at the time.
In 1997, he released a 3-disc compilation set of the hits from his first 3 albums titled History of a Hoodlum. This album was released on the Diamante
record label.
After a brief hiatus, T-Bone released his fourth album (and first on the Flicker Records
music label), The Last Street Preacha, in 2000, to critical acclaim. The Last Street Preacha was nominated for the Rock Gospel Album Grammy Award
. and saw T-Bone break into the Christian Contemporary Music market. It was the first rap album to debut at #7 on the Christian Contemporary Music charts.
2002 saw an increased exposure of T-Bone to both Christian and mainstream markets with the release of his fifth album, titled Gospelalphamegafunkyboogiediscomusic. The album was characterised by the guest appearance of hip-hop legend KRS-One
on the title track - returning the favour of the controversial guest spot T-Bone had made on KRS-One's Spiritual Minded
album earlier in the year.
2005 saw the release of his most controversial, and successful, album to date: Bone-A-Fide
. Bone-A-Fide's album cover controversially featured T-Bone in an image evoking Che Guevara
, leading to concerns that he was promoting communist ideologies - charges he denied. Adding to the controversy were collaborations with two major secular rappers - Mack 10
and Chino XL
.
Bone-A-Fide was his first album not to be produced by long-time collaborator Chase Dante and, perhaps deliberately, saw T-Bone move away from the previous West Coast sound of his earlier albums to a smoother, more East Coast sound.
Also, in 2005, he was featured as Jairus in the rock opera !Hero
, along with Michael Tait
of Tait
and dc Talk
, Rebecca St. James
, and Mark Stuart
of Audio Adrenaline
.
In 2007, he released a new Greatest Hits album titled Bone-Appetit!
on September 25, 2007.
. It will be out in late 2009-2010.
T-Bone's first major film role was in 2003, playing the role of Briggs, a rapping prisoner in the comedy-romance motion picture The Fighting Temptations
, which starred Cuba Gooding, Jr.
and Beyoncé Knowles
. In the film, T-Bone performs the song "To Da River" with secular artists Lil' Zane and Montell Jordan
.
T-Bone also co-starred in the 2004 Paramount/MTV film All You've Got
which starred Ciara
and Adrienne Bailon
of The Cheetah Girls.
His other movies include Carman and Stephen Yake's "R.I.O.T." and starred in "Black Rose
" in 2003.
T-Bone just finished his role as Martin De La Fuente in the upcoming faith-based film I'm in Love With a Church Girl to be released in 2012. He stars alongside Ja Rule, Adrienne Bailon, Stephen Baldwin, Michael Madson, and Vincent Pastore.
2004:
2002:
1997:
1995:
1993:
Nicaragua
Nicaragua is the largest country in the Central American American isthmus, bordered by Honduras to the north and Costa Rica to the south. The country is situated between 11 and 14 degrees north of the Equator in the Northern Hemisphere, which places it entirely within the tropics. The Pacific Ocean...
n and his mother is Salvadoran. His name came from being called 'Bones' as a youngster because he was very skinny. The 'T' was "added to give the name a little slang edge, hence the name 'T-Bone' was born." Later on, he redefined the name to mean 'Talking Biblical ONE'.
Music career
According to published interview, he started rapping at the age of 7 at parties and in rap battles. He was close to getting a secular record deal but, after coming to Christ, he opened for a noted rock group at that time and got signed to his first record deal that night.His first three albums: Redeemed Hoodlum in 1991, Tha Life of a Hoodlum in 1993 and Tha Hoodlum's Testimony in 1995 were released on the independent Metro One record label. All these 3 albums were characterised by being gangsta rap
Gangsta rap
Gangsta Rap is a subgenre of hip hop music that evolved from hardcore hip hop and purports to reflect urban crime and the violent lifestyles of inner-city youths. Lyrics in gangsta rap have varied from accurate reflections to fictionalized accounts. Gangsta is a non-rhotic pronunciation of the word...
albums, which was rare in the Christian music scene at the time.
In 1997, he released a 3-disc compilation set of the hits from his first 3 albums titled History of a Hoodlum. This album was released on the Diamante
Diamante Music Group
Diamante Music Group was a Newport Beach, California based independent record label distributor active from 1993 through 2004. During its heyday, Diamante was home to several dozen small independent record labels, some of whose artists later gained worldwide recognition.Among such were Rescue...
record label.
After a brief hiatus, T-Bone released his fourth album (and first on the Flicker Records
Flicker Records
Flicker Records is a Christian record label based in Franklin, Tennessee. It was founded by members of Christian rock group Audio Adrenaline. The label mainly focuses on rock/hard rock artists, though it also created a subsidiary, Big House Kids, for Christian children's music.The label was...
music label), The Last Street Preacha, in 2000, to critical acclaim. The Last Street Preacha was nominated for the Rock Gospel Album Grammy Award
Grammy Award
A Grammy Award — or Grammy — is an accolade by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences of the United States to recognize outstanding achievement in the music industry...
. and saw T-Bone break into the Christian Contemporary Music market. It was the first rap album to debut at #7 on the Christian Contemporary Music charts.
2002 saw an increased exposure of T-Bone to both Christian and mainstream markets with the release of his fifth album, titled Gospelalphamegafunkyboogiediscomusic. The album was characterised by the guest appearance of hip-hop legend KRS-One
KRS-One
Lawrence Krisna Parker , better known by his stage names KRS-One , and Teacha, is an American rapper...
on the title track - returning the favour of the controversial guest spot T-Bone had made on KRS-One's Spiritual Minded
Spiritual Minded
Spiritual Minded is rapper KRS-One's fifth official album. It was released in January 2002 on Koch Records. KRS-One's Christian lyrical content came as a surprise to fans and critics, as he had previously written songs critical of Christianity and organised religion. The album also makes references...
album earlier in the year.
2005 saw the release of his most controversial, and successful, album to date: Bone-A-Fide
Bone-A-Fide (album)
Bone-A-Fide is an album released by Christian rapper T-Bone. It was released in 2005. The album charted at #25 on the Billboard Christian albums chart and #44 on the Billboard Heatseakers. chart.- Track listing :1. The Rally 2. 12 Years Ago...
. Bone-A-Fide's album cover controversially featured T-Bone in an image evoking Che Guevara
Che Guevara
Ernesto "Che" Guevara , commonly known as el Che or simply Che, was an Argentine Marxist revolutionary, physician, author, intellectual, guerrilla leader, diplomat and military theorist...
, leading to concerns that he was promoting communist ideologies - charges he denied. Adding to the controversy were collaborations with two major secular rappers - Mack 10
Mack 10
Dedrick Rolison, , better known by his stage name Mack 10 is an American rapper and actor. He was a member of hip hop trio Westside Connection, along with Ice Cube and WC...
and Chino XL
Chino XL
Derek Keith Barbosa , better known by his stage name Chino XL, is an American hip hop lyricist, battle rapper, and actor of Puerto Rican and African American descent...
.
Bone-A-Fide was his first album not to be produced by long-time collaborator Chase Dante and, perhaps deliberately, saw T-Bone move away from the previous West Coast sound of his earlier albums to a smoother, more East Coast sound.
Also, in 2005, he was featured as Jairus in the rock opera !Hero
!Hero
!HERO is a rock opera about Jesus. It is based on the question, "What if Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?". After the original tour in 2003 ended, it was released on DVD, CD, and was written into a trilogy of novels and series of comic books....
, along with Michael Tait
Michael Tait
Michael DeWayne Tait is a Contemporary Christian Music artist. Michael Tait met Toby McKeehan and Kevin Max while attending Liberty University in the late 1980s, and formed four-time grammy winning band DC Talk, with whom he released 5 acclaimed studio albums...
of Tait
Tait (band)
Tait is a Christian rock band formed by Michael Tait, one of the members of dc Talk and the lead singer of Newsboys since 2010.- Pre-formation of Tait :...
and dc Talk
Dc Talk
DC Talk , is a Grammy-winning Christian rock music trio. The group was formed in Lynchburg, Virginia in 1987 by Toby McKeehan, Michael Tait, and Kevin Max Smith. They have released five major studio albums together: DC Talk , Nu Thang , Free at Last , Jesus Freak , and Supernatural...
, Rebecca St. James
Rebecca St. James
Rebecca St. James , is a Christian pop rock singer, songwriter, musician, author, and actor. She began performing in Australia in the late 1980s and released her first full-length studio album in 1991. In 1993 she was signed to the record label ForeFront Records and released her major label debut a...
, and Mark Stuart
Mark Stuart (musician)
Mark Allen Stuart is a Christian rock musician, and is best known for being the vocalist for the now-retired Christian rock band Audio Adrenaline.-Early life:...
of Audio Adrenaline
Audio Adrenaline
Audio Adrenaline was a Christian rock band that formed in the late 1980s at Kentucky Christian University in Grayson, Kentucky. During the band's 17-year existence, they were awarded two Grammy awards, multiple Dove Awards and they released 17 number one singles. They were regular performers at the...
.
In 2007, he released a new Greatest Hits album titled Bone-Appetit!
Bone-Appetit!
Bone-Appetit: Servin' Up Tha Hits is the ninth official album from Christian rapper, T-Bone. It is a combination of greatest hits from his past three albums plus some exclusives and hard-to-find fan favorites. It was released September 25, 2007...
on September 25, 2007.
Film career
T-Bone is currently filming "The Rally" co-starring Kenneth CopelandKenneth Copeland
Kenneth Copeland is an American author, public speaker, and televangelist. He is the founder of Kenneth Copeland Ministries, which preaches a “prosperity gospel”: "Prosperity gospel assures followers that the more they give including in the form of tithes to the church, the more they will receive...
. It will be out in late 2009-2010.
T-Bone's first major film role was in 2003, playing the role of Briggs, a rapping prisoner in the comedy-romance motion picture The Fighting Temptations
The Fighting Temptations
The Fighting Temptations is a 2003 American musical dramedy film produced by Paramount Pictures and MTV Films. It stars Cuba Gooding, Jr. as the film's protagonist as he attempts to revive a church choir in order to enter a gospel competition with the help of a beautiful lounge singer with whom he...
, which starred Cuba Gooding, Jr.
Cuba Gooding, Jr.
Cuba M. Gooding, Jr. is an American actor. He is perhaps best known for his Academy Award-winning portrayal of Rod Tidwell in Cameron Crowe's 1996 film Jerry Maguire, and his critically acclaimed performance as Tré Styles in John Singleton's 1991 film Boyz n the Hood.-Early life:Gooding was born...
and Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Knowles
Beyoncé Giselle Knowles , often known simply as Beyoncé, is an American singer, songwriter, record producer, and actress. Born and raised in Houston, Texas, she enrolled in various performing arts schools and was first exposed to singing and dancing competitions as a child...
. In the film, T-Bone performs the song "To Da River" with secular artists Lil' Zane and Montell Jordan
Montell Jordan
Montell Jordan is a former American R&B singer-songwriter and record producer. Jordan became the main solo male artist on its Def Soul imprint until leaving the label in 2003. Of his live performances it is often regarded that he is a rock oriented musician, with Jordan even going as far as to...
.
T-Bone also co-starred in the 2004 Paramount/MTV film All You've Got
All You've Got
All You've Got is a 2006 sport/drama film, which debuted on MTV and is directed by Neema Barnette. It stars Adrienne Bailon, of the pop group The Cheetah Girls as Gabby and Ciara in her film debut as Becca Watley.-Storyline:...
which starred Ciara
Ciara
Ciara Princess Harris , known mononymously as Ciara, is an American singer-songwriter, dancer, actress and fashion model. Born in Austin, Texas, she traveled around the world during her childhood, only to land in Atlanta, Georgia where she met music producer, Jazze Pha...
and Adrienne Bailon
Adrienne Bailon
Adrienne Eliza Bailon is an American actress, singer-songwriter, dancer, and television personality. She was a member of former girl groups 3LW and The Cheetah Girls, and is also known for her roles in the Disney Channel Original Movie of the same name and latter sequels which brought the group to...
of The Cheetah Girls.
His other movies include Carman and Stephen Yake's "R.I.O.T." and starred in "Black Rose
Black Rose
Black Rose may refer to:* Black rose , analogy of something exceptionally rare and beautiful including someone exceptionally rare and beautiful* Black Rose , a contemporary BDSM organization based in Washington, DC...
" in 2003.
T-Bone just finished his role as Martin De La Fuente in the upcoming faith-based film I'm in Love With a Church Girl to be released in 2012. He stars alongside Ja Rule, Adrienne Bailon, Stephen Baldwin, Michael Madson, and Vincent Pastore.
TV shows
- Real Videos (TBN)-T Bone has been the host of Real Videos since 1997.
- TX 10 (JC-TV)-T-Bone has been the host since 2006.
- Hype & Glory (Gospel Music Channel)
- Hispanic College Quiz (NBC)-T-Bone was a co host.
- 2008 JCTV Christmas Special at Knott's Berry Farm along with guests: Mr. T, Only Won, Larissa Lam, Washington Projects, & Jon Gibson.
Albums
| Year | Title | Record label | Producer |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1993 | Redeemed Hoodlum | Metro One | LA Posse |
| 1995 | Tha Life of a Hoodlum | Metro One | LA Posse |
| 1997 | Tha Hoodlum's Testimony | Metro One | LA Posse |
| 1999 | History of a Hoodlum | Metro One | LA Posse, Chase |
| 2001 | Tha Last Street Preacha | Flicker/Boneyard | Chase |
| 2001 | The Boneyard Box Set | Metro One | LA Posse |
| 2002 | Gospelalphamegafunkyboogiediscomusic | Flicker/Boneyard | Chase |
| 2005 | Bone-A-Fide | Flicker/Boneyard/Provident/Sony/BMG | Louis “Buster” Brown, Rene F. Sotomayor |
| 2007 | Bone-Appetit! Bone-Appetit! Bone-Appetit: Servin' Up Tha Hits is the ninth official album from Christian rapper, T-Bone. It is a combination of greatest hits from his past three albums plus some exclusives and hard-to-find fan favorites. It was released September 25, 2007... |
Boneyard/Provident-Integrity Distribution | Rene F. Sotomayor |
| 2012 | Return of the Bionic Man | Boneyard/Provident-Integrity Distribution |
Music videos
- 2007: “Name Droppin'”
- 2005: “Can I Live” (Produced by Kenn Michael for CODEKRAFT)
- 2001: “Ride Wit' Me” (Produced by King Tech for Bolo Entertainment)
- 1996: “Throwing Out Tha Wicked” (Produced by Bill Boyde)
- 1992: “Lyrical Assassin” (Produced by Dough Green)
Movies
- “I'm In Love With a Church Girl”
- “All You've Got” (Paramount Pictures/ MTV Films)
- “The Fighting TemptationsThe Fighting TemptationsThe Fighting Temptations is a 2003 American musical dramedy film produced by Paramount Pictures and MTV Films. It stars Cuba Gooding, Jr. as the film's protagonist as he attempts to revive a church choir in order to enter a gospel competition with the help of a beautiful lounge singer with whom he...
” (Paramount Pictures/ MTV Films) - “R.I.O.T.” (Steven Yake Productions)
- “Black Rose” (Short)
Appearances
- Performer at 2004 GMA Gospel Music's Dove Awards (UPN, PAX)
- Featured performer at the 2003 MovieGuide Awards
- Featured performer/Presenter at the 2003 Arpa Awards (Telemundo/Univision)
- Presenter at 2001 Stellar Awards
- Featured performer at the 2000 ALMA Awards with Kirk Franklin
- Television appearances include “E!,” “Live at the Apollo,” “MTV's The Cut”, MTV's “From the Church to the Charts,” “LA TV,” “Urban Latino,” “Despierta America” (Univision), “Entertainment News” (Telemundo), “Entertainment News” (MGM Latin American Network), and “Keeping it Real” (Soundtrack Channel)
- Featured in the rock opera !Hero!Hero!HERO is a rock opera about Jesus. It is based on the question, "What if Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?". After the original tour in 2003 ended, it was released on DVD, CD, and was written into a trilogy of novels and series of comic books....
and on its soundtrack
Grammy Nominations
- 2001 Tha Last Street Preacha - Best Rock Gospel Album
- 2007 Category: Best Rap/Rock Gospel Album of the year: Bone-a-fide!
- 2008 Category: Best Gospel Performance: "With Long Life" with Israel HoughtonIsrael Houghton-Other recordings :* "Champions for Christ" - Hi5 * "Where Are the Fathers?" from He-Motions * "Send Me to the Nations" from A Wing & A Prayer...
Dove Awards
2008:- Winner of Rap/Hip-Hop Song of the Year "Name-Droppin"
2004:
- Winner of special event album (!Hero!Hero!HERO is a rock opera about Jesus. It is based on the question, "What if Jesus was born in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania?". After the original tour in 2003 ended, it was released on DVD, CD, and was written into a trilogy of novels and series of comic books....
, a rock opera) - Nomination for Rap/Hip-Hop Album (Gospelalphamegafunkyboogiediscomusic)
- Nomination for Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song (Raised in Harlem from !Hero)
2002:
- Nomination for Rap/Hip-Hop Album, (Tha Last Street Preacha)
- Nomination for Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song (Ride Wit Me)
- Nomination for Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded (King of My Life)
1997:
- Nomination for Rap/Hip Hop Album (Tha Hoodlums Testimony)
- Nomination for Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song (Keep on Praising)
1995:
- Nomination for Rap/Hip-Hop Album (Tha Life of A Hoodlum)
- Nomination for Rap/Hip-Hop Recorded Song” (Throwing Out Tha Wicked)
1993:
- Nomination for Rap/Hip Hop Album (Redeemed Hoodlum)
- Nomination for Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song (Lyrical Assassin)
Songs
- "Gospelalphamegafunkyboogiediscomusic" KRS-One
- "With Long Life" Israel & New Breed
- "Lonely Man" Audio Arenaline (Lift)
- “We're a Band” Audio Adrenaline (Live from Hawaii)
- “A Few Good Men” Mack 10
- “You Can't Win” Chino XL
- “1,2,3 Praise!” Virtue
- “Joy” Feat. Joi of Brownstone
- “The Slam” tobyMac
- "The Slam [d Dubb Remix]" tobyMac
- “Rubber House” Rachael Lampa
- "With Long Life" Israel & New Breed
- “To Da River” featuring Lil' Zane and Montell Jordan (from The Fighting Temptations)
- "I'm Thankful" by Yolanda Adams (from the album Believe)
Soundtrack
- “To Da River,” featuring Montell Jordan and Lil' Zane from “The Fighting Temptations Soundtrack”
- “Raised in Harlem,” featuring Michael Tait for !Hero
- “The Struggle Continues,” featuring KRS-ONE for Spiritual Minded
- “I'm Thankful,” featuring Yolanda Adams for Believe
- “Lonely Man,” featuring Audio Adrenaline for Lift
- “My Story” and “ God is Exalted,” featuring Carman for R.I.O.T.
- “Little Jackie” and “What a Fool I've Been,” featuring Crystal Lewis for Fearless
- “King of My Life,” featuring Natalie LaRueLaRue (band)LaRue was a Christian music band formed by siblings Phillip and Natalie LaRue. Phillip and Natalie are singers and songwriters. Phillip was 17 and Natalie 15 when, in 2000, they came out with their first album LaRue.- Discography :...
for Soul Lift - “Wrapped Up,” featuring Dawkins and Dawkins for Focus
- “Sooner or Later,” featuring Freedom of Soul for The 2 nd Coming
- “Watcha gonna do,” featuring JC and the Boyz for Chill 4 A While
- “I Can't Sleep,” featuring JC Crew for Serious Bizness
- "With Long Life," Featuring Israel and New Breed for A Deeper Level
Producers
- Fredwreck (Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg, Xzibit, Dogg Pound, Westside Connection, Mack 10)
- Warryn Campbell (Snoop Dogg, Missy Elliot, Mary Mary)
- Bosko (Kanye West, LiL Jon, E-40, Master P)
- Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis (Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, Prince, Whitney Houston)
- Darkchild (Destiny's Child, Brandy, Christinia Aguilera, Brian McKnight, Mary J.Blige, Kirk Franklin)
- King Tech (Eminem, Sly Boogie, Chino XL, Common)
- Tommy Simms (Babyface, Eric Clapton, Carman)
- Rex Rideout (Mary J Blige, Angie Stone, Luther Vandross, The Temptations)
- Buster and Shavoni (Yolanda Adams, Kirk Franklin, God's Property)
- Avila Bros. (Jessica Simpson, Janet Jackson, Usher, Mariah Carey, Macy Grey)
- Bobby “Bobcat” Ervin (2pac, Ice Cube, LL Cool J, Mack 10, Eazy E)
- Dwayne “Muffla” Simon (Run DMC, LL Cool J, King Tee)
- Chase (Dr. Dre, Az Yet, Rakeem, KRS-ONE, Mista Grimm)
- David Bannister (Carman, Cee-Cee Winans, Jaci Velasquez)
Additional highlights
- Lifetime music sales exceed 800,000 units
- Selected to do commercials on MTV for “The Cut”
- Did 4 Commercials on MTV with Beyonce and Mike Epps for “Tha Fighting Temptations”
- Partnered in 2008 with the Hands & Feet Project, started by Christian band Audio Adrenaline, to build churches and an orphanage in Nicaragua. T-Bone's parents will be moving to Nicaragua to run a children's village.
- T-Bone married in July 2002. He and his wife currently make their home in Southern California.