(courtesy of Wikipedia Commons)
Relatively new hip-hop/R&B sensation Trey Songz will visit Denver’s Pepsi Center serving as his fourth-to-last stop as Jay-Z’s special guest on their 2010 Blue Print 3 Tour March 20.
The tour marks the release of Trey’s third album, “READY,” which was nominated for a Grammy award and certified Gold by RIAA (Recording Industry Association of America) for having exceeded 500,000 total albums sold.
Songz first signed with Atlantic Records in 2003 after being recognized as a teen by Boys II Men producer Troy Taylor.
“I lived with him for a little while,” said Songz, whose reputation and resume have since grown. “We started [the] record label Songs Atlantic Records through Songbook entertainment which I co-own with Troy Taylor. Four albums later—I’m Ready.”
Songz sure is ready. His first two albums produced three top-10 singles, “Girl Tonight,” “Last Time” and “Can’t Help But Wait.”
Born in Virginia as Tremaine Aldon Neverson, Songz is sometimes referred to as “The Prince of Virginia.” Self-proclaimed to be influenced by many, including Michael Jackson, the Isley Brothers and Stevie Wonder — who he’s had a chance to work with — Songz caters to hip-hop, pop and R&B lovers alike.
When asked about the main message behind his music, Songz responded with what truly is a summary of his lyrics: “Love had, love lost and love made.” Songz said he writes most his own lyrics.
Songz said he finds family to be encouraging and motivational.
“I’m inspired by my family [and] the fact that I’m watching my lil’ brother and cousins grow up,” he said. “The family comes first.”
Songz said he has high hopes for the influence of his music.
“One day [I want to] try to change peoples’ lives with my music,” he said. “Not necessarily through my lyrics directly. As far as my legacy, I believe I make good music…and will stay true to who I was.”
“My life is open for people to see, the Web, the blogs, the interviews,” he said. “I am an artist. I make money off of people liking me.”
Still, being a rising star each day can feel like a challenge he added.
Songz recently started philanthropy work to put some of his money to work. In 2008 Songz launched “Songz For Peace” in Chicago. The organization works to stop violence within cities among urban youth.
Songz said he wants Songz For Peace to give “education to the youth [so that they] know that they are special children.” Giving grants and scholarships to children is one way Songz said he plans to provide aid.
So far, Songz has had the opportunity to work with influential artists such as Stevie Wonder, Soulja Boy, Gucci Mane, Mary J. Bilge, Aretha Franklin, Mariah Carey and Patti LaBelle. In the future Songz said one artist he’d love to collaborate with would be Timbaland.
Were Songz not a musical artist, if he had to pick a second dream-job he said he would still be involved in music in some way.
Besides producing music and pursuing happiness, which seem to go together for Songz, he doesn’t have many concrete plans for the future.
“I live day to day,” Songz said. “I look to the future, plan for the future. I know I don’t try to control it.”
Contact CU Independent staff writer Ana McIntosh at Ana.mcintosh@colorado.edu.
