A successful TV series, a tour and a new album, what more could Trey Songz ask for? More success! He shares his Passion and Pleasure (No Pain) in an exclusive interview with Hip-Hop Weekly’s Cynthia Horner.
Who is Trey Songz? The adorable singer has grown up before his music fans’ eyes. In the past five years the recording artist has mesmerized female fans with his charm and undeniable ability to tantalize his music audience. Trey Songz has the determination to be a superstar. His BET series, “Trey Songz: My Moment,” is an all-access pass to the life and the music of this major young artist as he navigates the choppy waters that separate mere success from greatness. Series episodes included scenes where Trey joins Young Jeezy and Jay-Z on the road, grinding it out night after night and fans witnessed first hand the impact these shows had on him as a performer and a person.
Trey Songz welcomed the challenge of bringing his story to life. “I wasn’t nervous,” he tells Hip Hop Weekly in an exclusive interview. “I had executive producer credits and overall approval of everything, so there was no reason to be nervous.”
Trey initially got involved with television when former Warner Music Group executive vice president Kevin Liles became his manager. Liles, who had already been working with producer James DuBose on other projects, felt that charismatic Trey would be ideal for television. “I really enjoyed certain moments on the series, such as having my mother speak about me and holding me in a special light,” he recalls. “It was up close and personal and gave fans a deeper look into my life to see me as an artist, a family man, and a businessman. I feel that the show gave fans access to my life in all areas.”
The television series came about at a good time as Trey continues to grow as an artist. During the past five years, fans have become accustomed to his distinguishable sound and photogenic looks. But he has shed his boyish ways and evolved into a mature performer. He reflects, “If a person hasn’t changed in five years, something’s wrong with them. I think I am a much better artist. I have grown from a young man into a songwriter and artist who handles his own business.”
As a sex symbol, Trey has undoubtedly met some of the finest women on earth and he doesn’t deny it. “I like all types of women, but to be quite frank, there’s beautiful women out there, but to keep my attention you have to be intelligent, charismatic, humorous, and fun to be around. A beautiful woman is easy to find, but it’s what you find out after spending time with that person that makes the difference.”
Although dating beautiful women is fun, Trey is focusing on his career right now, which means winding up his current tour with Monica and Dondria and preparing for tours in the US and Europe. “I love touring, and I want to be labeled as a touring act. When I go on stage what goes through my mind is giving fans the show that they came to see. It’s a rush; you have to stay pumped.” Smiling as his forehead scrunches up as he recalls certain performances, he adds, “Everything is so good right now. I am very blessed. I have had sold out tours; I’m in a great place.”
How ambitious is this singer who was born in Petersburg, Virginia in 1984? “I am happy with the success I have attained and I am looking forward to what’s next. I have been offered movie roles but I have another tour after this and then I go to Europe. I plan to tour for the next year straight.”
A recent winner at the BET Awards this June, where he won the “Best Male R&B Artist Award,” fans are still insisting he stole the show during a tribute to Prince. An international success, he received the Much Vibe “Hip Hop Video of the Year” at Canada’s 2010 Much Music Video Awards for the single “Successful” with Drake. But besides winning awards, he spent a good part of the year focusing on his widely anticipated CD, Passion, Pain, & Pleasure. Utilizing the social networking sites Twitter, Facebook, and MySpace along with Ustream, Trey stays in contact with his fans. “These sites give me a chance to connect directly with my fans,” he adds as he extols the virtues of the Internet.
Speaking of the Internet, when asked if there were any misconceptions he’d like to clear up that might have been the source of talk on the Web, he shakes his head no. “Misunderstandings and misconceptions will always be. I can’t please everyone so I won’t try to. As far as people saying things that aren’t true, I choose not to speak about such things.”
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