NEWS & UPDATES

03.15.2008  TyeBanks.com to get new look this spring
The official website will be completely redesigned in the coming weeks in preparation for the release of Tye's new CD. Expect to see all new content, including videos and photos, a downloadable press kit, and new functionality.  And of course, all new music!



01.19.2008 Tye Banks on "Most Wanted V" episode of NC Wanted
On tonight's episode of "NC Wanted" Tye breaks up a fight between two men which later results in murder.  UPDATE: Watch the video online at the NC Wanted website - select the January 19 episode titled "Most Wanted V" from the video list to watch it.



12.01.2007 Tye Banks is in the studio for sophomore CD
Tye has been very busy in front of the camera lately, but that hasn't stopped him from writing and recording songs for his next CD. Fans can expect the next CD to drop in early 2008, but singles and music videos will drop before the official CD release date. Keep checking back for more news and updates!



11.09.2007 New NC Lottery commercial playing in movie theaters throughout the state
North Carolina moviegoers will be treated with a festive lottery commercial featuring Tye Banks as a singing shopper this holiday season! A part of the popular pirate advertising campaign, this NC lottery commercial can be seen during the movie previews at theaters across the state.



11.05.2007 Tye Banks & Hylandah launch the WhoRyde.com podcast
Check out the HOTTEST and most diverse urban music podcast on the planet! The WhoRyde.com Podcast Hip Hop Show showcases seriously blazin' unsigned and indie artists from across the world. New episodes every 2 weeks, and you can subscribe to receive automatic downloads everytime a new episode is available!
>>Download the WhoRyde.com podcast show now!



07.29.2007 Tye Banks to guest star on Aug. 3 episode of WRAZ Fox 50's "NC Wanted"
Tye recently wrapped filming an episode of Fox 50's highly acclaimed "NC Wanted", a show that seeks to capture criminals, find missing persons, and solve cold cases within the large viewing area. This Saturday night's episode will feature the unsolved murder of Fayetteville barber and father, Creg Johnson.

Tye plays a possible enemy/killer, although there is little information as to the motive or the perpetrator(s) of the crime. Tye noted the challenge in playing the killer: "It was difficult to do knowing that one of his closest friends was there watching us (act out the scene), but hopefully this (episode) will help solve the case and bring some peace to Creg's family and friends." For more details about this case and others, watch "NC Wanted" Saturdays at 10:35PM and visit the NC Wanted website.


07.27.2007 More music, more film projects keep Tye Banks busy
Summer has been good to Tye Banks' fans...VERY good. He released the fiery "Dying Breed" as a free download on TyeBanks.com and MySpace. Produced by Klassic Reel Entertainment, "Dying Breed" further underscores Tye's ability to capture the ear of every hip-hop fan, bringing it home to those that appreciate raw battle rhymes over hot production.

>> Download "Dying Breed" now!

Shadowdog Productions has enlisted Tye to write and perform two comedic rap songs for which they will film music videos; Tye has already completed both songs (one featuring Tin Men production) and is in the process of writing another one. He has filmed part of one of the music videos and also co-starred as 'Jase' in the production company's upcoming short film "Labels" last weekend, both directed by John Foutz. The music videos will be completed next month. Tye also got to pair up with friend Kris Hixson of I-40 Films on his project "Dis-Harmony", a spiritual-based parody of the eHarmony commercials.



06.02.2007 Tye Banks stays on the grind in music and film
While production on the indie film "Cash Money" has stalled, that hasn't stopped Tye from adding to his acting repetoire. You'll be able to check him out in the forthcoming feature "Bolden!", starring Anthony Mackie, Omar Gooding, Robert Ri'chard, and Wendell Pierce. A biographical account of unsung jazz legend Buddy Bolden, Tye was on set in April for two different scenes. The film is still in production and is expected to be released sometime next year.

Also watch for the newest film from Shadowdog Productions "The Passion of the Nerds" which wrapped in May, where Tye is featured as a student at nerd school (definitely a stretch!) This comedy spec film directed by John Foutz stars some of Tye's acting cohorts - Millard Darden, Danielle Motley, Leah Marie Parker, and Daisy Faith. Watch for this project to air on CMT.

In June, Tye will star in an industrial training film for Fidelity Investments, and possibly film his scenes as Uzoma in "PCP...A Vanguard Chronicle".

Ghetto Gold continues to create buzz on the street and the Internet as Tye continues to expand creatively into other genres. He just released the NEW hit collaborative single "Tropical Grind" featuring BLP and Sikora. BLP adds his multivoice talent and energy to the track, while Sikora's smooth vocals push the song to party pandemonium! This song is a Hip Hop/Reggeaton mix that has the internet buzzing with excitement!

>> Download "Tropical Grind" now!

Tye has also just completed another collaboration entitled "Dirty Shades" by Funk-sensation Highly Explosive. Produced by ReelTime, "Dirty Shades" is already becoming an internet favorite, earning high praises from music bloggers. Be sure to check out Highly Exposive's AcidPlanet page for more funky tracks!

Download "Dirty Shades" here or at Highly Explosive's page.


03.29.2007 The wait is over -- Ghetto Gold officially released!
The long-anticipated album from Tye Banks, Ghetto Gold has finally been released. This is Tye's first solo full-length album, and he is already receiving great reviews and responses from online shoppers and bloggers. It includes the hit songs "Wassup Pimpin'", "Love Letter", "Freakin U", and "2 The Streets", along with eight other bangin' tracks.

On Ghetto Gold, Tye sought to express his creativity, personality, and his North Carolina pride, while making feel-good tracks that would appeal to hip hop lovers, both young and old.

When asked about the meaning of the album title, Tye Banks stated “To me, ghetto gold represents something very valuable in a place you would least expect to discover it, and in a place that doesn’t always recognize its worth."

>> Click here to discover Ghetto Gold for yourself!


03.25.2007 Tye Banks lands role, soundtrack in "Cash Money"
Tye Banks recently completed his first day filming for the independent film "Ca$h Money" from Carolina Films. "Cash Money" is a hillarious, over-the-top comedy about four co-workers driving from NYC to Atlanta for a business meeting, but get lost and then caught up in some backwoods drama involving criminals, holy rollers, and a suitcase full of money. Tye plays the character "Young Thug", who steals the money from his bosses and then has to face the consequences of his actions.

Tye will also provide the musical score and soundtrack for the film, with production assistance from of Bob Ya Head Production, Watkins Family 4 Life Entertainment, and others. The film is expected to be completed by the end of April and already has 3 contract offers.




02.24.2007 Hip Hop meets Hockey, thanks to Tye Banks
If you've been to a 'Canes game lately at the RBC Center, you may have found yourself and the rest of the crowd moving-n-shaking to "Carolina Hurricanes", Tye Banks' tribute to the 2006 Stanley Cup winning hockey team. The catchy rap anthem naturally ellicits crowd response, with Raleigh's own Tye Banks asking the crowd "What's the name of our team?" over the hot Dirty South beat from Bob Ya Head Productions. "Carolina Hurricanes" may even be making history as the first hockey hip-hop song. Regardless, it is definitely winning fans at every home game.

>> Get the official "Carolina Hurricanes" ringtone on your phone!
>> Download the "Carolina Hurricanes" song to your mp3 player!


02.20.2007 Ghetto Gold hits the streets early
Tye Banks' highly-anticipated debut full-length CD Ghetto Gold will be available for purchase in the coming days, but be on the look out for upcoming appearances and shows where a select number of fans will receive the CD for free!



01.22.2007 Tye Banks cast for roles in "PCP...A Vanguard Chronicle" and "Daerkharts"
The new year has been a very good year so far for Tye Banks, with him securing principal roles in 2 upcoming film projects. Filming is slated for February.


01.16.2007 "Love Letter" featured on Podcast!
Hosted by kiddk8, this month's edition of his podcast "The Unsigned Underground: Podcast #12" includes the Tye Banks track "Love Letter" featuring Sikora, with beats by PhreshTrax. The "Unsigned Underground" podcasts mixes electronica dance music of various genres from independent artists from all over the world.

You can download and listen to the podcast by going to:
http://www.foxxkitsune.net/music/underground.htm and accessing it from one of several podcasts hosts.


01.09.2007 Big things on the horizon in 2007!
Happy New Year! 2007 is shaping up to be even more productive and interesting than 2006 for Tye Banks. Last night at the 2007 Industry Kick-Off Film Fest (thrown by Dexter Goad of Shadowdog Productions), independent film directors, producers, and actors were treated to 6 tracks from Tye Banks' soon-to-be-released Ghetto Gold CD. Tye Banks was in attendance as both an actor and as a potential soundtrack artist for a burgeoning North Carolina indie film scene. The music was more than well-received, and you can expect to hear some of Tye's music in some future film productions soon!


12.06.2006 Tye Banks achieves "....the fine balance between warm melodies and beat-based flows..."

CNET's Download.com Music Editor dropped this favorable review of Tye Banks' recent uploads to the site:

"Not since Cool James has the Ladies' Love been this guaranteed: NC's Banks is gifted with a knockout croon that doesn't fade even when his R&B trades off with rap rhyming. Indeed, it's the fine balance between warm melodies and beat-based flows that lets him play hypnotist."

>> Listen for yourself right here!


12.03.2006 Tye Banks becomes Editors' Pick Artist on CNET's Download.com

Tye Banks became the newest addition to the list of Editors' Picks in the Southern Rap category on CNET's Download.com, the premier source for free music. Having joined the site on November 20, Tye was selected as an Editors' Pick Artist in less than a week, and named Pick of the Day on November 24. Other Editors' Pick Artists include Outkast, Lil Jon, and Yin Yang Twins.


11.19.2006 Tye Banks releases 3 new ringtones
Download three NEW ringtones - "2 The Streets", "Pump This", and "Go 'Head Girl" - all for FREE!  Stop by the Ringtones page and get up to 6 Tye Banks ringtones on your phone.

>> Go toRINGTONES


10.29.2006 Buy Ghetto Gold singles at TyeBanks.com!
Finally, the songs you've heard on the Internet and at the club are available for purchase online!  Listen to samples and then download your favorite songs from Tye Banks' upcoming album Ghetto Gold .

>> Go to DOWNLOAD MP3s


10.20.2006 Tye Banks featured in North Hills commercial
This week Tye Banks was cast and featured in a commercial for the mixed-use Raleigh district North Hills.  North Hills features shopping, dining, entertainment, and residential spaces.  The commercial is expected to air locally.


10.13.2006 Free ringtones available!
Get your free Tye Banks ringtone by visiting the Ringtones page and either clicking on the song title and downloading it or texting the song code to 69937 (MYXER)

>> Go toRINGTONES


10.08.2006 Columbia Latin Festival Performance
South Carolina got its first taste of NC's reggaeton scene at Columbia's Main Street Latin Festival.  Tye Banks moved the crowd as the special guest of Big Latin Papi, performing two of their collaboration hits "Tropical Grind" and "Salsa Les Doy".  Video of the show will be made available on this website shortly - sign up to get the latest info and news on shows coming to your area!


09.26.2006 TyeBanks.com is here!
TyeBanks.com is the official website for rapper, actor, and Internet entrepreneur Tye Banks. The site features music, photos, news, shows, and other information, and will serve to further promote Tye Banks in his creative endeavors.


09.21.2006 Tye Banks featured on tribute to Edgar "El Chamaco" Santana
Tye Banks was recently recruited by long-time friend and collaborator Big Latin Papi to create a song for the rising junior welterweight boxer Edgar "El Chamaco" Santana. "1 By 1", the reggaeton tribute for the rising boxing star, which also features Latin singer Victor Vega, can be downloaded from Santana's site at SantanaBoxing.com.