VIBE Magazine: NEXT >> Trey Songz - Making HistoryI love what I do, and I'm focused on making sure my passion is felt," says Trey Songz, 20, while enjoying his first taste of Indian food at Manhattan's Bombay Palace. Taking a break from the burgeoning demands of his budding career, the Petersburg, Va., native discusses the pressure he feels on dropping his debut, I Just Gotta Make It. "People remember when the greats come along," he says between bites of chutney chut·neyn. A pungent relish made of fruits, spices, and herbs. [Hindi ca  n . "I want to make history, not be history."
Tremaine Neverson didn't always dream of etching his name in the annals of rhythm and blues rhythm and blues (R&B) Any of several closely related musical styles developed by African American artists. The various styles were based on a mingling of European influences with jazz rhythms and tonal inflections, particularly syncopation and the flatted blues chords. . After spending his early childhood living the roving lifestyle of a military brat, the reserved youngster settled into a more or less ordinary upbringing in a town of 33,740 people. Though blessed with a sensuous tenor, he didn't realize his potential as a vocalist until he was 14. It took an overwhelming amount of encouragement from friends and family to push him into a career in music. "Singing wasn't a reality for me," he recalls, "until other people started noticing I sounded good." Soon after, Songz was wowing audiences at local talent shows when he caught the attention of producer Troy Taylor (Boyz II Men Boyz II Men is an American R&B/soul singing group from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Founded in 1988 as a quintet which originally included Marc Nelson, Boyz II Men found fame as a quartet, with members Nathan Morris, Michael McCary, Shawn Stockman, and Wanya Morris, on Motown , B2K B2K Boys of the New Millennium (band) B2K Blueprint 2000 ). Under Taylor's tutelage TUTELAGE. State of guardianship; the condition of one who is subject to the control of a guardian. , Songz sharpened his skills as a singer/songwriter by studying Motown classics and the works of legends like R. Kelly and Prince. By November 2003, Songz's prodigious ability would land him a deal with Atlantic Records  Editing of this page by unregistered or newly registered users is currently disabled due to vandalism. and have him penning tunes for the likes of Patti LaBelle and Kevin Lyttle Kevin Lyttle (born Lescott Kevin Lyttle Coombs, on 14 September, 1976) is a Soca artist hailing from Saint Vincent, who had a worldwide hit with the interpellative soca ballad, "Turn Me On" which was recorded by Lyttle and the Dancehall artist Spragga Benz. .
Now, with his highly anticipated album anchored by the bounce-heavy lead single featuring Twista, "Just Gotta Make it," Songz is well on his way to doing just that. As he successfully melds soulful sensuality with the realness of hip hop, Songz is sure to win over fans just as he did legendary Atlantic founder Ahmet Ertegun. "Trey combines the rare qualities of youth, intelligence, and soul that are the mark of so many great stars," says the man who recognized the genius in a young Ray Charles. 
|
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion