T-BONE BIOGRAPHY

2012 will mark the beginning of a new chapter in T-Bone’s trend setting extensive career. After nearly two decades of music, three Grammy nominations, five Dove Awards, multiple films, including the upcoming 2012 “I’m In Love With A Church Girl” and two nationwide television shows “Real Videos” (TBN) and TX10 (JCTV), T-Bone is ready to take the music industry by storm once again with the release of his newest project “RETURN OF THE BIONIC MAN”.  Comparing himself to astronaut Steve Austin (The Bionic Man from the 70’s hit TV show) who was nearly killed after a life ending crash, only to be rebuilt and made better, stronger and faster with super bionic powers, T-Bone says his own transformation has been nearly as drastic.
For starters, the rapper/actor’s appearance has drastically changed.  T-Bone lost over 100 pounds since his last album and has been working tirelessly in the gym for the past three and a half years to get himself up to par.  “I felt like I needed to make a change in my life, starting with the way I ate, guarding my temple. I knew my health was deteriorating and as a role model I feel it is my responsibility to be a good example to the people around the world that listen to my music”.  His sound has also changed since his last recording. He has now added singing to his arsenal of musical talents.  “After years of making Hip-Hop/Rap records, I felt like I wanted to do something new, fresh, and innovative” says T-Bone.  “I’ve always been influenced from music around the world as well as different cultures and wanted to make music that would reach beyond just the normal Rap/Hip-Hop market; hence “The Bionic Man” was created.

“This album will feature a lot of singing, something my fans have only heard bits and pieces of on previous albums, intergraded with catchy and melodic hooks. It will definitely have an eclectic sound”.  T-Bone has hooked up with super producer Scott “Shavoni” Parker to help put together this new sound. Shavoni is best known for producing multi platinum selling artists such as Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, Trinity 5:7, as well as working on soundtracks for movies like Disney’s “The Prince of Egypt”, “Boomerang” and “The Fighting Temptations”.

Aside from his music, T-Bone has focused on taking his acting career to the next level.  “After starring in The Fighting Temptations alongside Beyonce Knowles and Cuba Gooding Jr., I fell in love with the art of acting”, says the pioneering artist. “I wanted to start a real career in acting and God just somehow always opens the door”.  T-Bone is starring in two new movies. In the first film “The Rally”, T-Bone co-stars alongside world-renowned religious evangelist Kenneth Copeland.  In the film,
T-Bone (Sharka) plays a drug lord who has control of the city and whom people fear until a young preacher who is not willing to back down regardless of what the cost may be challenges him. The movie was filmed in Riverside, CA earlier this year.

T-Bone will also be starring in the upcoming film “I’m In Love With A Church Girl” along side multi platinum selling rapper Ja Rule and Disney star Adrienne Bailon of the “Cheetah Girls” formerly of R&B group 3LW. T-Bone plays Martin De La Fuente, who is Miles Montego’s (Ja Rule) best friend and crime partner who falls in love with Vanessa Leon (Adrienne Bailon). The faith based film was shot in San Jose, CA and the cast also includes A-list actors such as Michael Madson (Reservoir Dogs, Donnie Brasco), Vincent Pastore (The Sopranos), Steven Baldwin, Martin Cove (The Karate Kid) and fellow recording artist Toby Mac. The movie is set to hit theaters everywhere first quarter of 2012.

T-Bone has come along way from the Mission District of Northern California, where he was born and raised by his father and mother, who are from Nicaragua and El Salvador, respectively. It was in these brutal streets and harsh surroundings that he experienced the beginnings of hip-hop, and grew up listening to KRS-One, Public Enemy and LL Cool J, until West Coast rap started to rise up in the late eighty’s with groups like N.W.A, Ice T and 2Pac. He lived what these artists were rapping about: “I was amongst the gangs, drug dealers pimps and hustlers. I was left for dead. I had fifteen gang members break into my crib at three in the morning and try to kill me. I know what it’s like to have a gun drawn on me and what it’s like to deal drugs and to jump and beat up my rivals.”

The turning point in his life came when his friend Ralphie was shot to death in a drive-by, and his last words were to tell everyone to wear red at his funeral. T-Bone found himself asking: “What did he die for … this ignorant color?” and he decided to change his life. His parents were pastors at the time, so he knew about the things of God.  T-Bone explains the transformation: “There’s a scripture that says, ‘From the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.’ Once I was filled with anger and madness. Now I’m full of love, peace and joy. Hip-hop is the language of the streets. God is the language of love. I mix the two together to see amazing results take place!”

Since then, T-Bone has dedicated the rest of his life to reaching people of all ages, backgrounds and cultures through his conscious style of music. “I want to show them that there is a way out of that life style through my music and message of hope”.

With a new look, a new sound and a new swag, T-Bone is sure to capture the hearts of many new fans while still keeping his longtime fans pleased with the release of his new album “Return of the Bionic Man”.