Tyrese Darnell Gibson, often known simply as Tyrese or hip hop artist Black-Ty, is an African American R&B artist, hip hop rapper, former male fashion model and actor. Tyrese Gibson was born in the Watts district in Los Angeles, California, and began his career when he won a talent show at the age of 14.

Recently Oprah Winfrey has been taking a lot of criticism over her Oprah Winfrey Leadership Academy for Girls in South Africa. Some parents have recently (MAR07) complained of the rigid rules and regulations at the school.

It is hard to believe that a hip hop artist or a rap artist would come to the defense of Oprah Winfrey, since she apparently does not like hip hop or rap artists; but that is exactly what Tyrese has done, (and in this case I would have to agree with his statement.)

He (Tyrese) has sent a statement defending Oprah Winfrey and the work she is doing in South Africa. Here is Tyrese’s statement.

“There is a staggering amount of millionaires and billionaires out in the world that do nothing to effect positive change within society. The fact that Oprah Winfrey took a monumental step to create a school in South Africa for the betterment of African children rather then just speak of change is commendable. The bible says-  ‘No good deed shall go unpunished,’ and there are many critics out in the world turning up negative stones to find a flaw in this wonderful gift donated to South Africa by Oprah Winfrey. I stand with Oprah in the fight for change and positive world reform and I hope that people realize there will always be struggle and without struggle there is no progression. Please leave her alone and let the blessings she is offering outshine the public scrutiny she is facing.” – TYRESE GIBSON

Visit Tyrese Gibson on the web at http://www.tyrese.com/