- Trey Songz
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Trey Songz 
Trey Songz performing at the 94.5 Summer Jam on June 5, 2010.Background information Birth name Tremaine Aldon Neverson Born November 28, 1984
Petersburg, Virginia, United StatesGenres R&B, hip hop Occupations Singer-songwriter, record producer, actor Instruments Vocals, keyboards, sampler Years active 2004–present Labels Atlantic, Songbook Associated acts Drake, Troy Taylor, Twista, Juvenile, Bun B, Rick Ross, Plies Website www.treysongz.com Tremaine "Trey" Aldon Neverson (born November 28, 1984), better known by his stage name Trey Songz, is an American singer-songwriter, rapper, record producer and actor. His debut album, I Gotta Make It, was released in 2005, while his second album, Trey Day, was released in 2007. His third album, Ready, was released in 2009 while his fourth studio album, Passion, Pain & Pleasure, was released on September 14, 2010.
Contents
Life and career
1984–2004: Early life
Songz was born Tremaine Aldon Neverson on November 28, 1984, in Petersburg, Virginia.[1] Raised as a military brat, Songz did not have aspirations to have a musical career as a child due to his shyness, saying "Singing wasn't a reality for me, until other people started noticing I sounded good."[2] He recognized his vocal abilities at the age of 14.[2] Reluctant to sing, he began performing with encouragement by friends and family in high school. Record producer Troy Taylor discovered Songz during a talent show in 2000, which led him to signing a recording contract with Atlantic Records in 2002.[2] After graduating from high school in 2002, Songz moved to New Jersey to begin recording his debut album, though recording didn't actually begin until 2003.[1]
2004–2006: I Gotta Make It
While recording his debut album in 2004, Songz released multiple mixtapes under the alias Prince of Virginia.[1] One of the mixtapes featured an "answer track" to R. Kelly's "Trapped in the Closet", entitled "Open the Closet". The song gave Trey some notoriety.[3] His debut album, I Gotta Make It was released on July 26, 2005.[4] It debuted at #20 on the Billboard 200, selling 40,000 copies in its first week of sales.[5] It has sold 300,000 records in the US, but was never certified by the RIAA. Songz's debut single, Gotta Make It, featuring Twista, was released in March 2005 and reached #87 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #21 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs. It garnered success in the R&B/urban community but failed to make a mark in mainstream music. The album's second and final single, Gotta Go, was released in July 2005 and reached #67 on the Hot 100 and #11 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming even more successful than his debut single in the R&B/urban community and in the mainstream community. After promotion for his debut concluded, he was featured on the lead single from Twista's fifth album, The Day After. The single, "Girl Tonite", reached #14 on the Hot 100 and #3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming a huge hit.
2007–2008: Trey Day
Trey Songz performing in 2007.
In mid-2006, Songz began work on a follow-up album to his debut with longtime collaborator Troy Taylor and also employed hitmakers Bryan-Michael Cox, Danja, Stargate (production team) and R. Kelly to help create the album. Trey aimed for the album to be more mainstream-oriented than his debut album. His second studio album, Trey Day, was released on October 2, 2007. The album reached #11 on the Billboard 200,[6] selling 73,000 copies in its first week. It has since sold 400,000 records in the US, becoming his second album not to be certified by the RIAA. The album was going to be released on May 8, 2007, but was continually delayed in order for a successful single to precede the album, as the lead single failed to impact charts.
His second album was preceded by the lead single, "Wonder Woman", which was released in February 2007. It reached #54 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, but failed to impact the Hot 100. Because of the single's failure, his second album was delayed from May 2007 to October 2007. The album's second single, "Can't Help but Wait", was released in August 2007 and was released to promote his second album and the film Step Up 2 the Streets soundtrack as a single for it. The single reached #14 on the Hot 100, and #2 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. It became Songz's first Top 20 hit on the Hot 100, and helped to boost his second album's sales. The single was also nominated for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 2008 50th Grammy Awards. The third single from the album, "Last Time", was released in January 2008 and reached #69 on the Hot 100, and #9 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The fourth and final single from the album, "Missin' You", was released in May 2008, but failed to chart completely. In mid-2008, Songz was nominated for a BET Award for Best Male R&B Artist but did not win the award.[7]
2009–2010: Ready
In late 2008, Trey began work on his third studio album with Bryan-Michael Cox, Sean Garrett, Stargate and Troy Taylor and aimed for the record to be more mature than his first two. Before releasing his third album, Songz released a mixtape titled Anticipation in June 2009 through his blog, which featured songs from his third album.[8] Another mixtape from Trey was released in the summer of 2009, called Genesis. Genesis was a collection of Trey Songz's first recordings when he was fifteen years old and was released to show his fans the dedication that he had to making a record when he was young.[9] Trey released his third studio album, Ready, on August 31, 2009. The album reached #3 on the Billboard 200, selling 131,000 copies in its first week.[10] These are his best first week sales to date and the album was his first to reach the Top 10 on the Billboard 200. The album has since sold over 800,000 records in the US, earning a Gold certification from the RIAA in February 2010, becoming his first album to be certified by the RIAA.
The lead single from the album, "I Need a Girl", was released in April 2009 and reached #5 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop songs chart and #59 on the Hot 100, becoming an R&B/urban hit but not a mainstream hit. A promotional single, "Successful", featuring rapper Drake, was released in June 2009 and reached #17 on the Hot 100, becoming Songz's third Top 20 hit. The single also served as the second and final single from Drake's EP, So Far Gone. The second official single from his third album, "LOL Smiley Face", featuring Soulja Boy Tell 'Em and Gucci Mane, was released in August 2009 and reached #51 on the Hot 100 and #12 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The third single from the album, "I Invented Sex", featuring Drake, was released in October 2009 and reached #42 on the Hot 100 but #1 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, becoming his first single to top that chart. Like the first two singles from the album, it achieved success in the R&B/urban community but only some mainstream success. charted within the Billboard Hot 100, and topped the R&B chart. The fourth single from the album, "Say Aah", featuring rapper Fabolous, was released in January 2010 and reached #9 on the Hot 100 and #3 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The single has become Trey's highest charting single on the Hot 100 and one of his most successful singles on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.
The fifth and final single from the album, "Neighbors Know My Name", was released in February 2010 and reached #43 on the Hot 100 and #4 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. A sixth single, "Yo Side of the Bed", was going to be released in June 2010, but its release was canceled due to unknown reasons. A music video, featuring singer Keri Hilson, was filmed and released, however. Songz was also the opening act for Jay-Z on his Jay-Z Fall Tour in late 2009. The album was nominated for Best Contemporary R&B Album at the 52nd Grammy Awards in 2010, but lost to Beyoncé's I Am... Sasha Fierce. On April 1, 2010, he recorded an episode of MTV Unplugged, which aired on April 26, 2010.[11] A documentary-series about Trey, Trey Songz: My Moment, began in June 2010 to positive reviews and high ratings. The 10-part series will end in August 2010 and follows Trey during his time as opening act on Jay-Z's Jay-Z Fall Tour in late 2009.
2010–2011: Passion, Pain & Pleasure
Songz's fourth studio album, Passion, Pain & Pleasure, was released on September 14, 2010.[12] Trey began work on the album in early 2010 with Sean Garrett, Troy Taylor and Stargate and has stated that the album will be his most personal to date. The album was completed in July 2010. The album's lead single, "Bottoms Up", featuring female rapper Nicki Minaj, was released on July 27, 2010 and has reached number twenty-four on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and was shared enough on Facebook to appear as a trending video on ItsTrending. Its video was filmed on July 31, 2010 and is pending release.[13] Trey also filmed the video for the album's second single, "Can't Be Friends", on August 1, 2010.[13] "Can't Be Friends" was released as the album's second single in August 2010.[13] Songz embarked on the Passion, Pain & Pleasure Tour on August 6, 2010 with singer Monica. The tour is his first headlining tour to date and consists of shows in venues that seat 3,000 to 5,000 people. Songz also contributed the song "Already Taken" to the Step Up 3D soundtrack, which was released on July 27, 2010. He filmed a video for the song, which was released in July 2010. The leading lady in the video is former girlfriend and professional dancer Helen Gedlu. Songz appeared at the 2010 MTV Video Music Awards on September 12, 2010.[14] Songz performed at BET Awards 2011 which broadcasted on June 26, 2011.[15]
In July 2011, he was cast in The Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D as Ryan, the male lead role.[16]
2011–present: Chapter 5
On August 18, 2011, it was announced Songz will be working on his fifth studio titled Chapter 5.[17] In a interview Trey said The album, which will act as the follow-up to ‘Passion, Pain, & Pleasure’, is said to be nearing completion. He also carried on to say "It’s my sixth year in the game so I’ve been here for a while now. You can expect the best me you’ve ever heard. I don’t have any release dates in mind right now but I’m just making music and enjoying myself in the studio and having fun. When I get to a place where I feel comfortable saying a date or all of that, people will definitely know. I have a few dream collaborations on that album that I want, but they say if you blow out your candle and make a wish you can’t tell people what you ask for or it won’t come true."[18]
Discography
Main article: Trey Songz discography- I Gotta Make It (2005)
- Trey Day (2007)
- Ready (2009)
- Passion, Pain & Pleasure (2010)
- Chapter 5 (2012)
Filmography
Year Title Role Notes 2008 Queen of Media DJ I.V. film 2009 Lincoln Heights Himself Episode: "Relative Unknown" 2010 Preacher's Kid (film) small role 2010 When I Was 17 Himself Interview-like show, about what he did when he was 17 2010 Trey Songz: My Moment Himself Interview-Documentary show, following him around on tour with Jay-Z. Awards and nominations
Year Award Result 2008 BET Award for Best Male R&B Artist[7] Nominated Grammy Award for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance for "Can't Help but Wait"[19] Nominated Ozone Award for Best R&B Artist[20] Nominated 2009 Soul Train Awards for Best Collaboration "Successful" Nominated 2010 Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Album for "Ready" Nominated BET Award for Best Male R&B Artist Won BET Award for Best Collaboration for "Say Ahh" w/ Fabolous Nominated BET Award for Best Collaboration for "Successful" w/ Drake Nominated BET Award for Viewer's Choice for "Say Ahh" w/ Fabolous Nominated 2011 BET Award for Best Male R&B Artist[21] Nominated BET Award for Coca-Cola's Viewer's Choice for "Bottom's Up"[22] Nominated References
- ^ a b c Jeffries, David. "Trey Songz – Biography". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/artist/p686292. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
- ^ a b c Dawson, Imani A. (2005-05-24). "Next – Trey Songz – Making History". Vibe. Vibe Media Group. http://www.thefreelibrary.com/VIBE+Magazine:+NEXT+%3E%3E+Trey+Songz+-+Making+History-a01611417737. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
- ^ Dombal, Ryan (2005-06-06). "Trey Cheeky". Entertainment Weekly. Time. http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,1068464,00.html. Retrieved 2009-08-24.
- ^ Trey Songz Music News & Info | Billboard.com
- ^ "Artist Chart History - Trey Songz - Albums". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.chartFormatGroupName=Albums&model.vnuArtistId=640724&model.vnuAlbumId=720045. Retrieved 2009-04-07.
- ^ http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/retrieve_chart_history.do?model.vnuArtistId=640724&model.vnuAlbumId=944172
- ^ a b "2008 BET Awards winners and nominees". Los Angeles Times. Tribune Company. 2008-06-24. http://theenvelope.latimes.com/awards/env-2008-bet-awards-winners-noms24jun24,0,2828634.htmlstory. Retrieved 2008-11-14.
- ^ "New R&B Music: Trey Songz – Anticipation Mixtape". 2009-07-02. http://www.soulofrnb.com/?p=870. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
- ^ "Trey Songz – Genesis Mixtape". 2009-06-18. http://www.soulofrnb.com/?p=387. Retrieved 2009-07-02.
- ^ Caulfield, Keith; Herrera, Monica (Herrera). "Whitney Houston Debuts At No. 1 On Billboard 200". Billboard. Nielsen Business Media. http://www.billboard.com/#/news/whitney-houston-debuts-at-no-1-on-billboard-1004010124.story. Retrieved 2009-09-09.
- ^ "An Inside Look At Trey Songz' New 'MTV Unplugged' Performance". 2010-04-02. http://buzzworthy.mtv.com/2010/04/02/the-inside-look-at-trey-songz-new-mtv-unplugged. Retrieved 2010-04-05.
- ^ "Passion, Pain & Pleasure" Pre-Order Begins On Monday At 12pm! - Blog Detail - TreySongz.com
- ^ a b c http://twitter.com/treysongz
- ^ "Trey Songz". TVGuide.com. 2010-09-09. http://www.tvguide.com/celebrities/trey-songz/275719.
- ^ "Trey Songz to Perform at BET Awards 2011". http://www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards/2011/performers/trey-songz.html.
- ^ "Here's Your Leatherface for Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D". ShockTilYouDrop (CraveOnline). July 19, 2011. http://www.shocktillyoudrop.com/news/topnews.php?id=20042. Retrieved July 22, 2011.
- ^ "Trey Songz Announces New Album Title". Rap-Up. http://www.rap-up.com/2011/08/18/trey-songz-announces-new-album-title/#more-94340. Retrieved 2011-08-18.
- ^ http://thatgrapejuice.net/2011/08/trey-songz-chapter-5-you-expect-youve-heard/
- ^ Rich, Joshua (2008-12-03). "Grammy nominations announced!". Entertainment Weekly. Time. http://popwatch.ew.com/popwatch/2008/12/grammy-nominati.html. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
- ^ "Lil Wayne Leads The Pack With 8 Ozone Awards Nominations". XXL. Harris Publications. 2008-07-14. http://www.xxlmag.com/online/?p=22962. Retrieved 2009-06-10.
- ^ "Best Male R&B Artist | BET Awards". BET. http://www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards/2011/nominees/best-male-r-b-artist.html. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
- ^ "Coca-Cola’s Viewer’s Choice |". BET. http://www.bet.com/shows/bet-awards/2011/nominees/viewers-choice.html. Retrieved 2011-11-21.
External links
Trey Songz Studio albums Singles "Gotta Make It" · "Gotta Go" · "Wonder Woman" · "Can't Help but Wait" · "Last Time" · "Missin' You" · "I Need a Girl" · "Successful" · "LOL :-)" · "I Invented Sex" · "Say Aah" · "Neighbors Know My Name" · "Bottoms Up" · "Can't Be Friends" · "Love Faces" · "Unusual"Featured singles "Girl Tonite" · "1st Time" · "Cuddy Buddy" · "Ride" · "Yesterday" · "We Got Hood Love" · "Sex Room" · "If It Ain't About Money" · "Here I Am" · "Out of My Head" · "Take Off" · "Can't Get Enough"Related articles Categories:- 1984 births
- African American actors
- African American musicians
- African American singers
- American actors
- American rhythm and blues singers
- American tenors
- Atlantic Records artists
- Living people
- Military brats
- People from Petersburg, Virginia
- Musicians from Virginia
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