Words by Ms. Rivercity Photo by Ben Watts
Typically speaking, quality tends to diminish as time wears on an artist. Days on the road are exhausting, time in the studio takes a backseat to time on the stage, and somewhere between pleasing record label execs, taking pictures for fans, and juggling a non-stop schedule designed TO makE a dollar, an artist TENDS TO LOSE touch with their craft. But then there are the exceptions – the ones that crystallize, rather than crack, under pressure. Trey Songz is that exception. With the release of his third studio album, Ready, Songz shows us that progress is in his nature, and with each effort he improves. Still in the middle of a hectic promo tour, Trey takes a moment to discuss where he comes from, where he’s going, and why he’s built for the long haul. Are you tired of talking about the new album yet? Yeah, it gets redundant after a while, but with somethin’ you’re so proud of you never get tired of lettin’ the world know about it. What do you think is the most creative song on Ready? The most be creative song on the album would be “Black Roses.” What’s the most personal song on the album? Is it “Black Roses,” or is there another song that’s closer to your heart? You know, even the personal songs, in a lot of ways, have portions that involve my feelings, but there are portions that aren’t my feelings. But I’d say “Love Lost” is the most personal record. There’s an obvious growth musically between this album and your last project. Everyone’s talking about how you stepped your game up as far as the music, but how else have you grown since the release of your last album? As a businessman, I’ve aligned the stars on how to do things. I’ve kinda found the matrix as far as what will pull people in. The planning and marketing and everything that was done to promote this album was more so myself and my team than anything else. I think we did a great job. I pat ourselves on the back about that. I think the steam that was created before the album came out was almost like the perfect storm. I think that in itself shows the growth as a businessman. Anyone that’s followed your career can see the progress. You really got out there and worked 24/7, non-stop. Do you think that made you appreciate your success more, or maybe kept you down-to-earth? Most definitely. It’s definitely put me in a place 60 // OZONE MAG
where I know it’s worth it. I know what it’s like to not have all that I have now. I worked very hard to get all that I have now. It’s also given me the will to work just as hard as I did when I was first tryin’ to get on. What are some things in life you haven’t obtained yet that you’re still striving for? Well, one day I hope to have a family. That’s something I would really enjoy, something that will come when it’s time. Do you think being an artist affects your ability to have personal relationships? Or is that something you can fit into your life right now? My career is my life right now. It’s a sacrifice I make to be who I am, to achieve what I want to achieve. There’s certain things I can’t do and I’m dealing with that. Maybe it’ll bite me in the ass later, but I’m sleepin’ with success right now. Obviously you had to go through some life situations to write the songs you sing. When’s the last time you were really in love? Probably two years ago. What did you learn from that experience? I learned that to be in love you have to be able to give it your all, and I couldn’t give that. What are some other things people wouldn’t necessarily know about you? Who is the man behind Trey Songz? Things that they shouldn’t know. (laughs) It’s just that I give so much of myself, there’s not much that they don’t know. I hold on to what they don’t know. How does being from Virginia affect your music? As humans, I think where we grow up is what sets the foundation for who we’re gonna be – the way we grow up, the way we’re raised, the things we’re told, and the environment we’re set in. I was in a very loving environment, as far as the people that raised me. There weren’t too many men in my life so I had to learn a lot on my own. Being from Virginia has definitely made me who I am in a lot of ways, but I have lived in different places – Florida, Kansas, all different parts of Maryland, New Jersey – so I think that’s given me a multicultural look at life, and a more diverse approach to things. Petersburg, which is a predominantly black city, is very poverty stricken. Why did you live in so many different places? My mother married a military man when I was 7 years old. Do you think always having to pack up and move prepared you for life on the road? The longest I lived in one place was the first seven years of my life. I’ve lived somewhere dif-
ferent every year since then, with the exception of the four years I went to high school. Where do you think you’ll retire? I’m not sure. That’s a good question. We talked about your family and your background a little, but are there any other pivotal moments in your life that affected your career? Was there a defining moment that really made you realize music was for you? The love that I had for music was definitely enhanced after I recorded the first song I had ever written. I kept playing it over and over, and hearing myself on a song, it sounded like it could go on the radio. I kept tellin’ my mama and my cousin, I was like, “Man, I did this song, it sounds like it could be on the radio. It sounds so good, dawg.” Did they believe you? I mean, after they heard it. I wasn’t the best vocalist back then, but the song had great structure. My mentor and producer helped me through it. I watched him make the track in twenty minutes and that was amazing to me. That’s when my love for music just blossomed. I was just so interested in it and wanted to know everything about it. How old were you when you recorded that song? 15. Did you take voice lessons or was it something that came naturally to you? I’ve never taken voice lessons, actually. I’m gettin’ my first vocal coach comin’ up soon. After your third album you’re gonna get a vocal coach? Yuuup, after my third album, ‘cause I strive to be great. I feel like there’s no better time than the present, when everybody’s talkin’ about my growth now. I plan to grow more. Where do you go now? You’re out promoting the album right now, but what’s the overall plan for the near future? The tour with starts off September 29th in Los Angeles. You can get tickets at BET.com or TreySongz.com – check for the dates. I’m very excited about that. I’m headlining the tour. Mario, Day 26, Sean Garrett, and a few other acts will be on it as well. And the question you probably get asked all the time now -- are you doing more records with Drake? Most definitely. We got somethin’ in the bag. Is there anything else you want to say? Just let my fans know I appreciate the support. For people who may have supported me from day one, or even if you just started yesterday, I appreciate you. //