Biography

It was in 1994 when Tyress Gray, better know for his stage name Face Black Rose, first realized blues music would be his inspiration as a rapper. He heard his grandmother Catharine playing the song “I Was Born by The River” by the great Sam Cook. The song took him into a trance and made him feel as if he was outside looking into his own world as the vinyl record player speakers rang the words: “I was born by the river in a little tent, Oh and just like the river I’ve been running ever since”. For Face It wasn’t the words that captivated him, but more like the way the song was sang. That Saturday afternoon was when he knew, he had found what he was destined to do. Merge the style of blues and rap in one.

Face is always the first one to tell you how music saved him. He says: “When my mother died I had a lot of anger in me and it scared me to a point that I known I had to channel it in some way. And music helped me do that. That is why I feel people will relate to me because like all the greats Sam Cook, Matilda Jackson, Biggie, 2 Pac, Jay Z and, 50 cents. I put my heart on the line with my music. There is passion in every note I sing and every verse I rap”.


Face music career was put on hold when his street ties caused him to be charged with conspiracy to organize crime. He’d gotten caught up into what most of the men where he came from usually did, The Streets. He ended up serving an eight year sentence because of his relationships with the street. But while in jail Face wrote various songs to keep his inmate’s as while as his own sprites at a high. One of is most acclimated songs was “Lord Give Me Wings” which will be feature in his debut album “The Year of the Rose”.


Face Black Rose was then released in December 24, 2007 from those walls that held him trapped and consumed his music for all those years. Now the world would get to hear that rugged raspy flow & hot hooks that filled the halls of prison yards that gave the other convicts hope and real soon hope to a town near you. Gwop Gang Entertainment was established when Face first came home and hooked up with his cousin and partner Mel. He then returned and signed with to his mentor over at Tycoon Dynasty Records. Face also came home to doing music with platinum artist like JA -Rule, News, Producer Boodah Monk, Havoc from Mobb Deep, and so on.


Face Black Rose is in his own lane and respectfully drives in it while paying homage to his past, current and future Rap comrades. He is set to release his first single “A-Yo” for spring 2010 and his Album “The Year of The Rose” summer 2010.