Tank (American singer)

American R&B singer (born 1976)

For other uses, see Tank (disambiguation) § Stage name.

Tank

Tank in 2025

Background information
Birth name| Durrell Artaze Babbs[1]
Born|  (1976-01-01) January 1, 1976 (age 49)
Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.
Origin| Clinton, Maryland, U.S.
Genres|

* R&B
* soul[2]

Occupations|

* Singer
* songwriter
* record producer
* actor
* podcaster

Works|

* Recording
* production

Years active| 1995–present
Labels|

* R&B Money
* Empire
* Atlantic
* Blackground
* Virgin
* Universal

Formerly of| TGT
Spouse|

Zena Foster

(m. 2018)​

Children| 5
Website| therealtank.com

Musical artist

Durrell Artaze Babbs (born January 1, 1976),[3] better known by his stage name Tank, is an American R&B singer, songwriter, record producer and podcaster. He began his career as a backing vocalist for R&B singers Aaliyah and Ginuwine, and signed a recording contract with the former's record label, Blackground Records as a performing act in 1998. His 2001 single, "Maybe I Deserve" peaked within the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 and led his debut studio album, Force of Nature (2001). It peaked within the top ten of the Billboard 200, while his second album, One Man (2002), peaked within the top 20 and was met with mixed critical reception.

After a five-year hiatus, he entered a joint venture with Motown to release his third album, Sex, Love & Pain (2007). Yielding his furthest commercial success, it peaked at number two on the Billboard 200 and was preceded by the Billboard Hot 100-top 50 single, "Please Don't Go". He parted ways with the labels in favor of Atlantic Records to release his following albums: Now or Never (2010), This Is How I Feel (2012), Stronger (2014), Sex, Love & Pain II (2014), and Savage (2017), the latter of which spawned the platinum-certified single "When We". Following his ninth album Elevation (2019), his tenth album, R&B Money (2022), was announced as his final due to hearing loss in his right ear, which hampered his musical ability.[4]

In 2007, he formed the R&B trio TGT with contemporaries Ginuwine and Tyrese, with whom he released one studio album (2013). Along with recording, Tank has been credited with songwriting and production work for other artists, including Kelly Rowland, Chris Brown, Monica, Jamie Foxx, Aaliyah, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Omarion, LeToya Luckett, NLT, and KeKe Wyatt. He founded the record label R&B Money, which has signed frequent collaborator J. Valentine; the two began hosting a namesake podcast in 2022, which interviews prominent figures in the genre. Tank has been nominated for four Grammy Awards, a Soul Train Music Award, and his podcast was nominated for Best Work of Music Journalism - Multimedia at the 2023 International Music Journalism Awards.

## Early life

[edit]

Babbs was born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin,[5] then he moved with his family as a child toClinton, Maryland. He was a multisport athlete in high school and was offered the opportunity to play college football.[3] However, Tank decided to focus on music, with his vocal talent being recognized to the point where R&B singer Ginuwine gave him an opportunity to sing background vocals for him during one of the latter's tours.[3] Tank also became a backing singer for Aaliyah, whom he had met through Ginuwine in 1997.[6][7][8]

Tank later signed as an artist with Aaliyah's record label Blackground Records.

## Music career

[edit]

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

[edit]

In 2001, Tank released his debut album Force of Nature which spawned the moderate hit Maybe I Deserve".[9][10] In 2002, Tank released his second album One Man and a single of the same name.[11] Tank provided vocals for I Care 4 U, Aaliyah's posthumous compilation album, featuring on the album's final single, "Come Over".

Tank released his third solo album, Sex, Love & Pain, in May 2007.[12] 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.[10] Later that year, Tank, alongside Ginuwine and Tyrese Gibson, formed the group TGT.[13] The group was put on hold due to contractual issues, but signed with Atlantic Records in September 2012 to release their debut collaborative album, Three Kings the following year.[14]

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

[edit]

Tank performing in 2010

Tank released his fourth studio album, Now or Never, in December 2010.[15] Tank collaborated with artists who included Chris Brown, Drake, Letoya Luckett on this project.[16] The singles were "Sex Music", "I Can't Make You Love Me", and "Emergency".[16]

Tank released his fifth studio album, This Is How I Feel, in May 2012.[17] Tank collaborated with the artists Chris Brown, Busta Rhymes, T.I. and Kris Stephens on the album.[17] The song "Compliments", featuring Kris Stephens and T.I., was released as the lead single in October 2011.[18]

On September 14, 2013, Tank sang the U.S. national anthem before the Floyd Mayweather Jr. vs. Canelo Álvarez fight in Las Vegas, Nevada.[19]

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.[20]

### 2015–2020: Sex Love & Pain II and Savage

[edit]

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.[21][22] In September 2017, Tank released his eighth studio album, Savage.[23] 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.[10]

### 2021-present: R&B Money and retirement

[edit]

On February 26, 2021, Tank released the single "Can't Let It Show" of which the chorus interpolates the 1989 Kate Bush single "This Woman's Work". Kate Bush is credited for the song alongside Tank.[24][25] In August 2021, it was announced that Blackground Records would be rereleasing discographies of artists including Tank, Aaliyah, Toni Braxton and Timbaland & Magoo.[26][27] 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.[28][29][30] The single reached the top 10 on the R&B Radio chart.[25] 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.[31] Prior to the release of R&B Money, Tank announced that it would be his final studio album, triggered in part by loss of hearing in his right ear in 2021.[32]

On May 2, 2025, Blackground Records 2.0 released the single "Gone", by Aaliyah, with Tank co-writing the song and adding co-lead vocals. The single was released exclusively to the record label's streaming app, BLKStream,[33] but saw a wider release to streaming and digital download sites on August 1, 2025.[34][35] "Gone" peaked at number seven on the Adult R&B Airplay Chart, and at number 28 on the R&B/Hip Hop Airplay chart.[36][37] Tank made a statement following the release. He wrote, "[The song] featuring myself was supposed to be something good to preserve and continue the legacy of the amazing Aaliyah… This is not it. I’m out [...] The Aaliyah song you are hearing featuring myself, I did out of love for her. I had concerns and I expressed them. From the track to the vocals to the mix and to the visual [...] I still went forward knowing I would at least be able to approve the final products. I haven’t approved one thing you’ve heard or seen [...] Me thinking people had changed was my mistake and I own it [...] Aaliyah deserves better".[38][39]

## Artistry

[edit]

Tank's music is typically soul-rooted R&B.[40] Following his 2012 album This Is How I Feel, his music started to incorporate a more hip-hop sound.[41] His lyrics mostly explore themes of love, relationships, sexuality and emotional expression, often delving into the complexities of romantic relationships.[42][43] He mentioned Marvin Gaye, Stevie Wonder, Boyz II Men and R. Kelly as his musical inspirations.[44][45][46]

### Writing and producing

[edit]

Tank's songwriting and production credits include working with Aaliyah, Chris Brown, Beyoncé, Alicia Keys, Dave Hollister, Fantasia Barrino, Kelly Rowland, Marques Houston, Omarion, Jamie Foxx, Pitbull, Donell Jones and Monica[5][47] as a member of the production team the Underdogs and with his own team, Song Dynasty.

## Other ventures

[edit]

### Acting

[edit]

He was a contributor to the score of the film adaptation of the musical Dreamgirls, in which he had a cameo. He was also featured in the movie Preacher's Kid.[48] Tank played Donovan in Born Again Virgin (2015–2016). He also played recording company executive Jheryl Busby in the BET miniseries The New Edition Story (2017), The Bobby Brown Story (2018), and appeared in T.I. & Tiny: Friends & Family Hustle (2018).

In March of 2025, Babbs made his Broadway debut in Hell's Kitchen assuming the role of Davis, previously portrayed by Brandon Victor Dixon.[49] He serves as a limited replacement and featured performer in the production for an 11-week engagement.

### Podcast

[edit]

Tank and his manager, J. Valentine, are the hosts of their own streaming podcast, R&B Money Podcast, where they interview popular R&B recording artists, songwriters, producers, and other legends of the genre, discussing industry topics with R&B music at its center. The podcast is most popular on the YouTube platform.

## Personal life

[edit]

Tank got engaged to his longtime girlfriend Zena Foster on January 16, 2017. The couple have two children, Zion and Zoey. They were married in Los Angeles, California, on July 22, 2018.[50][51]

Tank is also the father of three more children from previous relationships: Jordan, Ryen, and Durrell Jr.[52]

## Discography

[edit]

Main article: Tank discography

Studio albums

* Force of Nature (2001)
* One Man (2002)
* Sex, Love & Pain (2007)
* Now or Never (2010)
* This Is How I Feel (2012)
* Stronger (2014)
* Sex Love & Pain II (2016)
* Savage (2017)
* Elevation (2019)
* R&B Money (2022)

Collaborative albums

* Three Kings (with Tyrese and Ginuwine, as TGT) (2013)

## Filmography

[edit]

### Film

[edit]

Year  | Title  | Role  | Notes

|
|
|

2006  | It Ain't Easy | Aaron  | Video
2008  | KeAnthony: A Hustlaz Story | Jay  | Short
2010  | Preacher's Kid | Devlin Mitchell  |
2014  | Second Chance Christmas | Daron Richard  | TV movie
2015  | November Rule | Paul  |
2018  | Me, Myself, & Them | Mr. Jones  | Short
2020  | Illicit | Perry  |
2021  | Seven Deadly Sins: Lust | Trey Taylor  | TV movie
Big 50 - The Delrhonda Hood Story | Slim  |
2023  | Favorite Son Christmas | Blaine  | TV movie

### Television

[edit]

Year  | Title  | Role  | Notes

|
|
|

2002  | Soul Train | Himself  | Episode: "Episode #32.7"
2007  | Lyric Cafe | Himself/Celebrity Poet  | Episode: "Episode #1.5"
2011  | The Protector | Frankie Benson  | Episode: "Spoon" & "Affairs"
2012  | Single Ladies | Joe Mason  | Episode: "No Ordinary Love"
2014  | According to Him + Her | Himself  | Recurring Guest
2015  | Togetherness | Officer Damon  | Recurring Cast: Season 1
2015–16  | Born Again Virgin | Donovan  | Recurring Cast
2017  | Unsung | Himself  | Episode: "Dave Hollister"
Lip Sync Battle | Himself/Competitor  | Episode: "Soul Train Special"
The New Edition Story | Jheryl Busby | Episode: "Part 1-3"
Saints & Sinners | Himself  | Recurring Cast: Season 2
Grown Folks | Quincy  | Recurring Cast
2018  | Hit the Floor | Warren Matthews  | Recurring Cast: Season 4
The Bobby Brown Story | Jheryl Busby | Episode: "Part 1 & 2"
2019  | Ridiculousness | Himself  | Episode: "Tank"
2021  | Black Love | Himself  | Episode: "How Love Begins"
2022  | Real Husbands of Hollywood | Himself  | Episode: "Wedding Gone-A-Rye"
Celebrity Game Face | Himself  | Episode: "Kevin's BFFs"
2023  | A Black Lady Sketch Show | Balthasar  | Episode: "I'm Clapping From My Puss"
Urban One Honors | Himself/Host  | Main Host
Black Pop: Celebrating the Power of Black Culture | Himself  | Episode: "Music"

## Stage

[edit]

### Broadway

[edit]

Year  | Title  | Role  | Notes

|
|
|

2025  | Hell's Kitchen | Davis  | Replacement / featured performer

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

### Grammy Awards

[edit]

Year  | Recipient  | Category  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

2008 | Sex, Love & Pain | Best R&B Album | Nominated  | [53]
"Please Don't Go"  | Best Male R&B Vocal Performance | Nominated
2011 | Take My Time (with Chris Brown) | Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals | Nominated  | [54]
2014 | Three Kings (with TGT) | Best R&B Album | Nominated  | [55]

### Soul Train Music Awards

[edit]

Year  | Recipient  | Category  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

2014 | Himself  | Best R&B/Soul Male Artist | Nominated  | [56]

### International Music Journalism Award

[edit]

Year  | Recipient  | Category  | Result  | Ref.

|
|
|
|

2023  | R&B Money Podcast | Best Work of Music Journalism - Multimedia  | Nominated  | [57]

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Durrell 'Tank' Babbs". IMDb.
2. ^ Caramanica, Jon (December 15, 2010). "Suffering of a Noble, Romantic Soul Man". The New York Times.
3. ^ a b c Nero, Mark Edward. "Tank: Bodybuilding R&B Singer". about.com. About Entertainment. Archived from the original on April 2, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
4. ^ Mitchell, Gail (August 19, 2022). "Tank Releases 10th & Final Studio Album 'R&B Money'". Billboard.com. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
5. ^ a b Birchmeier, Jason. "Tank Bio". mtv.com. MTV. Archived from the original on August 19, 2013. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
6. ^ "Tank Remembers Meeting Aaliyah: 'I Was So Caught Up In Looking at Her'". The Boombox. August 25, 2017. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
7. ^ Madusa, S (May 7, 2021). "Tank Recalls Providing Background Vocals For Aaliyah On "Come Over"". Hot New Hip Hop. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
8. ^ "Tank – Being Aaliyah's Background Singer & What Made Her Special (247HH EXCL)". YouTube. February 14, 2020. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
9. ^ "Force Of Nature by Tank". iTunes. Archived from the original on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
10. ^ a b c "Tank – Chart history". Billboard. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
11. ^ "One Man – Tank". Allmusic. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
12. ^ "Sex Love & Pain – Tank". Allmusic. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
13. ^ "R&B Supergroup TGT Splits Up". Billboard. December 19, 2015. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
14. ^ "Tyrese, Ginuwine, and Tank Make TGT Group Official". Rap-Up. October 4, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
15. ^ "Now or Never – Tank". Allmusic. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
16. ^ a b "Now or Never (Deluxe Version) by Tank". iTunes. December 13, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
17. ^ a b "This Is How I Feel (Deluxe Version) by Tank". iTunes. May 8, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
18. ^ "Tank 'This Is How I Feel' LP: Singer 'Believes In' Chris Brown, Talks Busta Rhymes' 'Fire Alarm' Phone Call". The Boombox. April 25, 2012. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
19. ^ "Watch: Tank Sings National Anthem at Mayweather vs Canelo Fight". Vibe. September 15, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
20. ^ "Weigh In: R&B Crooner Tank Slams Fans/Music Industry For Not Supporting R&B In Fiery Instagram Rant – That Grape Juice.net – Thirsty?". That Grape Juice.net. May 23, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
21. ^ "Tank Performed at D.C.'s Black LGBT Pride and Now The Internet Is at War". Bet.com. March 14, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
22. ^ @tysandsnyc (May 29, 2017). "So Tank really did do Pride" (Tweet). Retrieved October 3, 2017 - via Twitter.
23. ^ "Savage by Tank". iTunes. September 29, 2017. Retrieved October 12, 2017.
24. ^ "Tank Can't Let It Show". Apple Music. February 26, 2021. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
25. ^ a b Folk, Antwane (November 29, 2021). "Tank's 'I Deserve' Reaches Top 10 at R&B Radio". Rated RnB. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
26. ^ Brown, Preezy (August 5, 2001). "Blackground Records To Release Albums By Aaliyah, Timbaland & Magoo And More On Streaming Platforms". Vibe.com. Retrieved September 17, 2001.
27. ^ Leight, Elias (September 16, 2021). "Tank on Finally Streaming His Back Catalog: 'Now People Will Know I Existed Before 2010'". Rolling Stone. Retrieved September 17, 2021.
28. ^ "R&B MONEY by Tank". February 4, 2022.
29. ^ ""I Deserve" hit single and video OUT NOW!!! LETS GOOOOOO!!! R&B MONEY!!". Twitter. October 29, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
30. ^ "Tank I Deserve (Single)". Spotify. October 29, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
31. ^ "@TheRealTank scored his career-first nomination at this year's #AMAs". Twitter. November 18, 2021. Retrieved December 8, 2021.
32. ^ Mitchell, Gail (August 19, 2022). "Tank Releases 10th & Final Studio Album 'R&B Money'". Billboard.com. Retrieved October 24, 2022.
33. ^ Velasquez, Angelina (May 2, 2025). "Blackground Records 2.0 releases new Aaliyah and Tank collab "Gone"". Revolt TV. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
34. ^ Jones, Okla (August 1, 2025). "New Music This Week: Ciara Drops "This Right Here" With Latto & Jazze Pha, Saweetie Releases "Superstars," Aaliyah's "Gone," And More". Essence. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
35. ^ "Aaliyah's 'Gone,' but her legacy lives on in new song". The Beat 951. July 31, 2025. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
36. ^ "Aaliyah - Adult R&B Airplay". Billboard. Retrieved August 9, 2025.
37. ^ "Aaliyah - R&B Hip Hop Airplay". Billboard. August 9, 2025. Retrieved August 2, 2025.
38. ^ "Tank Slams Aaliyah's New Song 'Gone' Featuring His Vocals: She "Deserves Better…I Haven't Approved One Thing [Fans] Heard"". That Grape Juice. August 1, 2025. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
39. ^ ""Gone" featuring myself was supposed to be something good to preserve and continue the legacy of the amazing Aaliyah… This is not it. I'm out". Instagram. August 1, 2025. Retrieved August 1, 2025.
40. ^ "Tank Songs, Albums, Reviews, Bio & More | AllM..." AllMusic. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
41. ^ "Ranking the Best Tank Albums". Soul In Stereo. August 1, 2019. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
42. ^ Ju, Shirley (September 2, 2022). "Self-Described 'King of R&B' Tank on the State of Music: 'People Would Rather Hear Rappers Singing Bad Than Singers Singing Good'". Variety. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
43. ^ "Exclusive: Tank Talks Bringing The Feeling Back Into R&B | GRAMMY.com". grammy.com. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
44. ^ Trapp, Malcolm. "Jamie Foxx once took Tank in and let him record in his home studio when he was on the brink of homelessness". REVOLT. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
45. ^ "The Timeless Talent Of Tank: A Journey Through R&B Excellence". Elite MicroMega Media. March 18, 2025. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
46. ^ Krishnamurthy, Sowmya (September 30, 2019). "Tank Wants To Be a Big Brother for New R&B Artists: 'I Love For People to do Well'". Billboard. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
47. ^ voyagestaff (October 20, 2023). "Tank". Tom Joyner's Fantastic Voyage. Retrieved April 11, 2025.
48. ^ "SR Gospel: LeToya, Tank Preacher's Kid In Theaters, Plus BMI Trailblazers". Singersroom.com. January 9, 2010. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
49. ^ Culwell-Block, Logan (March 11, 2025). "Tank Makes Broadway Debut in Hell's Kitchen Beginning March 11". Playbill.
50. ^ "Tank Proposes to Longtime Girlfriend". Billboard. January 31, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
51. ^ "Instagram". Instagram. January 31, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2017.
52. ^ Tank (June 20, 2015). "Father's Day Exclusive: Tank Pens Heartfelt Letters To His Five Kids". Essence.com. Retrieved November 2, 2016.
53. ^ "2008 Grammy Award Winners and Nominees". The New York Times. February 9, 2008. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
54. ^ "Grammy Awards 2011: Winners and nominees for 53rd Grammy Awards". Los Angeles Times. March 12, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
55. ^ "Grammys 2014: The complete list of nominees and winners". Los Angeles Times. December 7, 2013. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
56. ^ "Chris Brown & Beyonce Lead Soul Train Award Nominations". Billboard. October 13, 2014. Retrieved December 17, 2016.
57. ^ "Shortlists 2023 | International Music Journalism Award".

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Tank at IMDb

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF
* WorldCat

National|

* Germany
* United States
* France
* BnF data

Artists|

* MusicBrainz
* Grammy Awards

*[m.]: married