Tank, whose real name is Durrell Artaze Babbs, is a highly skilled American R&B singer, songwriter, and record producer.
He began his career as a backup singer for the renowned R&B artist Aaliyah, and later signed a record deal with her label, Blackground Records, in 1998.
Tank’s popular single “Maybe I Deserve” achieved success by reaching the top 40 of the Billboard Hot 100 and was featured on his debut album, Force of Nature, which also reached the top ten on the Billboard 200 chart.
Although his second album, One Man, received mixed reviews, it still managed to reach the top 20.
REAL FACTS ABOUT TANK
FULL NAME: Durrell Artaze Babbs
DATE OF BIRTH: January 1, 1976
PLACE OF BIRTH: Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S
NATIONALITY: America
OCCUPATIONs: Singer, Songwriter, Record Producer, Actor
LABELs: R&B Money,Empire,Atlantic
EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATION
Born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Babbs moved to Baltimore, Maryland during his childhood.
Despite excelling in multiple sports in high school and receiving offers to play college football, Tank decided to pursue a career in music.
He gained recognition for his impressive singing abilities and was given the opportunity to provide background vocals for R&B artist Ginuwine during one of his tours.
Tank also worked as a backing vocalist for Aaliyah after being introduced to her by Ginuwine in 1997.
His talent eventually led him to sign as a solo artist with Blackground Records, which was owned by Aaliyah.
CAREER
In the early 2000s, Tank made a name for himself in the R&B genre with hit singles such as “Maybe I Deserve” and “Please Don’t Go.”
He later joined forces with Ginuwine and Tyrese Gibson to form the group TGT before releasing his own solo album titled “This Is How I Feel.”
Tank’s powerful vocals were showcased in various collaborations with artists like Chris Brown and T.I., and he even had the honor of performing the national anthem at a major fight event in Las Vegas.
His sixth studio album, “Stronger,” marked a change in musical style, but faced challenges in terms of sales.
This led Tank to contemplate it as potentially being his final album.
Tank’s musical journey continued in 2015 with the release of a mixtape album titled “If You Were Mine.”
The album featured the popular single “You Don’t Know” with Wale. This success led to the release of his seventh studio album, “Sex Love & Pain II,” which reached the top of the Billboard R&B chart.
Tank continued to captivate audiences with singles like “#BDAY” and a holiday EP.
In 2017, Tank made headlines for performing at a Black Gay Pride event, sparking discussions within the music industry.
Later that year, he released his eighth studio album, “Savage,” which was followed by his ninth album, “ELEVATION,” and a piano-led EP called “While You Wait.”
Tank achieved significant milestones in 2021. He released the single “Can’t Let It Show,” which credited Kate Bush for its chorus interpolation.
In August, Blackground Records announced the reissue of Tank’s first three albums, making his music accessible through various formats for the first time.
He also released “I Deserve” from his highly anticipated tenth and final album, “R&B Money,” which reached the top 10 on the R&B Radio chart.
In November 2021, Tank received his first American Music Award nomination as Favorite Soul/R&B Male Artist.
This nomination signaled a shift towards his final studio album, “R&B Money,” following his hearing loss in his right ear earlier that year.
In August 2022, Tank released his highly anticipated album “R&B Money,” which featured collaborations with renowned artists like Chris Brown, Rotimi, and Alex Isle.
The album was met with great enthusiasm from both fans and critics, receiving positive reviews all around.
Continuing his musical journey, Tank unveiled the deluxe edition of “R&B Money” in 2024, titled “R&B Money: The Vault.” This expanded version showcased his versatility and further solidified his position in the industry.
Throughout the year, Tank’s presence in the music scene continued to thrive as he made appearances on various tracks, consistently impressing listeners with his soulful vocals.
PERSONAL LIFE
In his personal life, Tank took a significant step forward with his longtime girlfriend Zena Foster.
They got engaged on January 16, 2017, and later tied the knot on July 22, 2018, in a stunning ceremony held in Los Angeles, California.
The couple is blessed with two children named Zion and Zoey. Tank also has three other children, Jordan, Ryen, and Durrell Jr., from previous relationships.
