EXCLUSIVE INTERVEW W/ TREY SONGZ

I had a brief phoner with the talented Trey Songz late last week and lets just say he is a real laid back dude. He spoke on his new album, crazy groupie stories, and even on the Kanye West & 50 Cent album release. Make sure you check it out and leave your comments. And make sure you pick up that Trey Day when it hits stores on October 2nd. You Better Act Like You Know!!

Trey Songz: Hello?
Angel: Hi Trey, this is Angel from Concreteloop.com
Trey Songz: What’s happening baby?
Angel: Chillin, chillin. First off, I wanted to congratulate you on the new video because I’m loving the new video, everybody is loving it.
Trey Songz: Thank you.
Angel: Who was the director?
Trey Songz: His name is Harv. And he directed it with my manager Devante Murphy.
Angel: Did you come up with the video concept or was that just everybody collabing together?
Trey Songz: Yeah we all came up with that together.
Angel: Pretty good. Are you going to finish the “to be continued” ?
Trey: Yeah, we gon have to. It’s to be continued, it got to continue.
Angel: You know how no one ever finishes those things though. So you got to do it.
Trey: Yeah, what we may do is do it strictly for the internet. Like to give people who are really into Trey Songz, you know the whole brand and get them to go get it. You know what I mean? Because if you put it out there, I want people to want it. You feel me?
Angel: Yeah.
Trey: When we do do it, I want it to be something special like, even if it’s something that is on my youtube channel or something like that. We don’t know how we gon do it yet but we want to make it special when we do do it.
Angel: Ok, okay.

Angel: So what’s up with the new album? Everybody wanted it earlier this year and it got pushed back. Is it coming out on October 2nd? Can we go to the stores and get it?
Trey: October 2nd, it’s dropping baby.
Angel: And what about your management? Are you happy with how they are promoting the new sound? Because “Wonder Woman” was a good song, but it really didn’t get that many spins in my opinion. I never heard it on the radio..
Trey: Wonder Woman? Yeah, that has nothing to do with management that’s a label situation.
Angel: So are you happy with your label and how they are promoting the album as of now?
Trey: Yeah, I am. I think we are in a good place. The record is picking up and it’s only been on the radio for three weeks and we got a 1,000 spins. That’s great.
Angel: That’s cool, that’s cool. Another question a lot of people wanted to know is how do you feel about being underrated?
Trey: I feel like, I love being the underdog. Because once the underdog get on top, I ain’t gonna ever stop feeling like the underdog, you see what I’m saying?
Angel: un Huh
Trey: That makes my work ethic that much stronger. It makes me feel like I have to grind that much harder.
Angel: Okay.
Trey: And as far as being the underdog, if you look at yourself that way you gon dwell on it. I don’t dwell on people overlooking me, I just make sure when my time comes to shine, I shine bright.

Trey Songz Promo Pic

Angel: So what sets you apart from all these new R&B people trying to come out today. Like J. Holiday and all these new cats trying to come out?
Trey: They do them and I do me.
Angel: Plan and simple.
Trey: Yeah.

Angel: Where do you draw the inspiration for your music? Where do you get it from?
Trey: When I go in the studio baby, I try to make music that people can relate to. I don’t want to make songs that are just about the regular..
Angel: Same ol, same ol.
Trey: Yeah. Like we gonna have sex, we gonna hit the club. I try to do songs that people can relate to. Like my first album, “From A Woman’s Hand” and “I Gotta Make It” like songs people can definitely relate to. “Can’t help by Wait” is a song people can relate to.
Angel: un huh
Trey: Like some women always have relationships, where they’re not getting all that they deserve. There is a song on the album that I did “Grub On” with R.Kelly and it’s outside the box.
Angel: Yeah, I was going to ask you about “Grub On” because one of the commenter’s were like they couldn’t even tell between you and R.Kelly because your voices are similar. So, they wanted to know which verse where you singing and which verse was he singing.
Trey: It depends actually on which version you have. On the version with him on it, he’s singing the second verse and it’s very distinctive and you can tell him from me. Probably the version they have, he’s probably not on it.
Angel: Aww, ok that’s probably what they had then.
Trey: Yeah, I had to record that like 4x. because I sounded a whole lot more like him before then.
Angel: So, I know you rap as well because you used to rap on the mix tapes and everything. So do you plan on putting out a full length rap album. Like Tyrese did, do a double disc or something like that?
Trey: Naw, definitely not gon do no double disc where I’m singing and rapping. Rapping is something I take seriously and it’s something I love. Like if you do something too fast and just like out the blue you are an R&B singer, then come out rapping. I don’t care what you been doing, if they don’t know that you’ve been rapping all this time, that’s gon shock them. They not gon take to it as well.
Angel: That’s true.
Trey: Even if you’re good at it people are going to look at you like an R&B singer. I just think people have to take time to adjust to me rapping. Like it’s going over well. I’ve been rapping on mix tapes and I’m rapping on a couple songs on the album but not too much. As far as a whole album? I don’t know if it will go that far, but I will let you know that it’s something that I love and it’s something that I do take seriously. And I try to make it the best I can.
Angel: Cool. Cool.

Angel: So what about touring? When you gonna start touring for the new album, like nationally and internationally? A lot of people want to see you perform.
Trey: We doing a lot of international stuff at the end of November. As far as touring here in the U.S., we doing promo real heavy. I want to make sure I get a lot of the smaller markets, that don’t get to see a major artist out.
Angel: Yeah.
Trey: Like we just left all the cities in Georgia, all the cities in South Carolina, all the cities in North Carolina.
Angel: You were down in North Carolina? What part?
Trey: What part wasn’t I in?
Angel: Damn, ok. [laugh]
Trey: New Bern, Goldsboro, Jacksonville, Wilmington. I was all through. Literally I went everywhere. The only place I didn’t go in North Carolina was Charlotte and I’ll be back to go to Charlotte.
Angel: Ok. So you said internationally. I know a lot of people from my site are from the U.K., France, some in South Africa and they were asking when you were going to come over there.
Trey: Right now we just got a two week run just for the second half of November for Japan and I’ll probably, in the top of the year we gon get down with the U.K. and try to go everywhere we can.

Angel: So let me get to some of the other user questions I wanted to ask. One user said they see a lot of maturity in you in the recent months and they wanted to know why you stopped wearing earrings in your ears. Was that a personal reason, or did you just want to change up your look?
Trey: I actually lost my earrings.
Angel: You lost them? [laughs]
Trey: I lost my earrings in January and I paid a lot of money for them earrings and they were insured.
Angel: un Huh.
Trey: I lose a lot of jewelry and it’s all insured, but I don’t think jewelry makes me. You know what I mean?
Angel: Yeah.
Trey: I think, I don’t need earrings to look good or I don’t need earrings to feel like I’m fly. Like I don’t wear as much jewelry as I used to. I feel like I don’t need all that. Like every man out in the industry right now got earrings in their ears.
Angel: Yep.
Angel: You performed in Queens like last year and fans jumped on stage and pulled your boxers down and showed you what nots. How did you feel about that? Does that happen to you all the time?
Trey: They didn’t pull them all the way down, but my pubic hair was showing. I mean, it is what it is. It’s a casualty of war. [both of us laugh] Matter fact a casualty of love. That doesn’t happen a lot.
Angel: Ok
Trey: But in that particular setting, they were so close to the stage at the club that they could reach out and really touch me.
Angel: And they did [laughs]
Trey: And they grabbed me and shook me up. And you know I ain’t that big.
Angel: That’s true. [laughs]
Trey: They got the best of me.
Angel: So you got any other crazy groupie stories? Like some crazy crap that went down?
Trey: I mean it’s all crazy. I don’t get off into all that but I got crazy stories.

Trey earlier this year at a show. (Wireimages)

Angel: You ain’t gonna share one with us, one with the fans?
Trey: That’s a crazy story right there, a girl pulled my draws down. You know what I’m saying? [both of us laugh]. In D.C. recently a girl broke a barricade and this ladies leg got messed up.
Angel: Dang.
Trey: But what else? Something that happened crazy on stage? Sometimes it all becomes a blur, like when you go into different markets. I’m trying to think though hold up. I got my thinking machine next to me, hold on. When I first came out, this is like when I first started popping off. I was in D.C.
Angel: un Huh
Trey: And this girl followed me into the bathroom and when I was urinating she just was looking. You know I’m just like stuck in the middle and you just can’t stop.
Angel: Daaaaang.
Trey: So she opened the stall and she just looked like with her mouth wide open in amazement.
Angel: That’s crazy yo, that’s one of the craziest ones I’ve ever heard actually.
Trey: Yeah, this is just like when I first popped off though, so I didn’t have no security, no nothing.
Angel: Yeah. That’s has to be wild though, because you go from chilling one day and to people just wanting to watch you pee. That has to be crazy.
Trey: Actually in Club Duvet recently, like a couple weeks ago. Like everywhere I moved in the club, the whole club moved.
Angel: What?
Trey: That was crazy. I was in the V.I.P. and I just looked up and there was just like a whole bunch of people in that area. And I had about 20 people with me already.
Angel: Like a magnet.
Trey: Yeah. I moved to a corner and the whole club was over there. I mean it’s cool because people love me that much. But at the same time you sit back and think about it like “Woooow.”
Angel: Yeah. You have to. And what about this, you’re popular now. Does that change your mindset? Everybody goes crazy, people are moving to you like a magnet. Does that make you feel invincible or does that change your mindset somewhat?
Trey: In certain settings, I’m me. Like when I go home I’m just Trey. When I’m out in the public I’m Trey Songz, the people’s property. If you want a picture, baby you got it. Want an autograph? You got it. But I know that if I don’t feel like being in the environment or being that man at that time, I just chill at home. Sometimes I don’t have a choice, and I find that with success, you’re giving a piece of your life away.
Angel: Yeah, that’s true.
Trey: And I just deal with it. But I definitely don’t think I’m invincible, I know I’m the same nigga that’s always been.

Angel: So let me ask some questions for the ladies right now. The first question (of course) is, Are you single?
Trey: I answer that question like this. I have a woman in my life that’s very important to me and she holds me down. And if I ever need anything, I know she’s gon be there for me. And she is very special to me. I’m out here on this road. I mean we don’t get to see each other or spend a lot of time together and she is very understanding of my work and she works as well. She is very special to me, I mean we’re not an item right now, but we love each other.
Angel: It’s one, you feel a connection basically.
Trey: Yeah, we definitely love each other, but we young so we’re moving slow. But at the same time, it is, what it is.
Angel: Some people left some comments saying that she was the girl from the Lloyd video (Get It Shawty). So, is that her?
Trey: [laughs]
Angel: I’m just going with what my users tell me.
Trey: [long pause] I don’t know if that’s her. [laughs]
Angel: You don’t know? [laughs] You can just say I’ll leave it alone.
Trey: Yeah, lets go on to the next one [question].
Angel: [laughs] Ok. So what do you look for in a woman?
Trey: You gotta be sexy. I mean women come in all shapes and sizes and I love women like all colors and I think the woman was the best thing that could be put on Earth.
Angel: Okaay.
Trey: And outside of looks and beauty, and a fat ass. [laughs]
Angel: Very blunt [laughs]
Trey: I feel like, I got to be able to get something from a woman. Like, as far as insight.
Angel: Yeah. You can be able to share and touch base..
Trey: In any relationship (and not only in a relationship with a man and woman) you should be able to get something. It’s not a relationship if you’re not giving something and getting something at the same time.
Angel: Exactly, yeah. I agree. So, can you cook?
Trey: Yeah I can cook.
Angel: What’s your favorite dish to cook?
Trey: I can cook some pork chops, some steak, I throw some corn together, you know.
Angel: Macaroni and cheese?
Trey: I let my grandma cook that. I like homemade macaroni and cheese.
Angel: Yeah, baked.
Trey: My grandmother cooks that perfectly, like no one else can cook that like her so I leave that alone.
Angel: That’s cool.
Trey: My mother cooks it well too.
Angel: Ok, so how tall are you?
Trey: I am 6 feet even.
Angel: Okay. So, what’s your favorite movie?
Trey: My favorite movie is Menace II Society.
Angel: What’s a recent movie that you saw now, that you like? That just came out.
Trey: Recent movie I saw now that’s out?
Angel: Yeah.
Trey: I ain’t been to the movies in so long.
Angel: You don’t rent DVDs or nothing?
Trey: Naw, I don’t be having time to watch movies.
Angel: Well alright. So Menace II Society is your favorite movie. What’s your favorite song at the moment? I know you got time to listen to music.
Trey: My favorite song that’s out right now? Let me think, I don’t want to tell no lies. [pause] “I Get Money”
Angel: Okay, okay. I guess you saw that Rolling Stone cover with 50 cent and Kanye West then.
Trey: No, I haven’t seen that yet.
Angel: Yeah, I just posted it up on the site. So are you gonna get both albums? Who are you rooting for in this new little marketing ploy their doing?
Trey: I’m definitely gon get both albums. I don’t think it’s a marketing ploy, I think it’s good for hip-hop. I think in a time where record sales are declining and it’s hard to sell a record.
Angel: un huh
Trey: When you have two mega stars like that, dropping on the same day. I think it’s good and it’s a friendly competition and there ain’t no beef. Like both of them are trying to sell records, and I think it’s good for hip-hop.

Trey with his sketchbook. His favorite hobby is drawing.

Angel: Okay, okay. So what about hobbies?
Trey: Hobbies? I draw. I’m drawing now.
Angel: Oh you draw, like what type of drawing do you do?
Trey: I mean I just draw like whatever. Once the pen hit the paper, I don’t know what it’s gonna come out to be.
Angel: Like realistic or is it more cartoonish?
Trey: It’s both. We actually doing a pre-order of a sketchbook for my album. If fans pre-order the album, they get this book. It’s called “Picture me Drawing: First Edition” and it’s just stuff I just draw in my leisure time. Like right now I’m doing this interview and I’m drawing this picture. It’s graffiti of my myspace we address and it’s gonna be in the book.
Angel: Oh ok. So do you check your myspace?
Trey: Yes, I do.
Angel: You actually check the messages and everything? That’s cool.
Trey: I get hella messages though. And a lot of people get upset when I don’t respond. But a lot of people don’t realize that half the time I don’t even see your message.
Angel: yeah.
Trey: Like I do have people that will check it for me. Like they’ll go and if it’s a message that they think I should see, they’ll save it. So a lot of times they’ll see it and it will say “read” and they think I read it and didn’t respond.
Angel: Yeah.
Trey: I just want people to know that even if I do read your message and I don’t have time to respond. I want y’all to know that I do appreciate y’all hitting me up. But when I do check my myspace I’m half way sleep, I done had a long day and it might be after a show. And if I get to respond to a couple people, than I feel like I’m good. I want to let everyone know out there that if I don’t get to reply to you, I still love you, you know what it is. And I appreciate you hitting me up.

Angel: I heard you got a part in the Wendy Williams movie, is that true?
Trey: Yeah
Angel: So are you gonna do any other acting features after that?
Trey: The part in the Wendy Williams movie is small, but it’s pivotal.
Angel: un huh
Trey: It’s very pivotal. Actually I play the D.J. that initially put her on the radio.
Angel: Oh ok. That’s cool.
Trey: Yeah, so it’s very quick but I want to take my time with anything I do. I want to make sure my footing is set properly in this music game, before I step off into anything else. I want to make sure that I have my first love handled and under control before I go anywhere else with it.
Angel: So where do you see yourself in like 5 or 10 year?
Trey: I’m trying to figure out where I’m gon be tomorrow.
Angel: So you live right now, you don’t think about the future?
Trey: I think about the future, but I live for today.
Angel: Perfect, perfect.

Angel: Can you sing acapella for me, so I can add that to the interview? The new song, “I Can’t Help But Wait”
Trey: “Can’t Help But Wait”?
Angel: Yeah.
Trey: Should I sing just the hook?
Angel: Yeah, sing the hook or sing whatever you want to sing. [I start to sing some of the song.] Go head you can start singing.
Trey: But you were singing. [smiles] You put your little part up there.
Angel: I wanted you to know what part I was talking about. [laughs]
Trey: [laughs & starts to sing the hook of “Can’t Help But Wait’]
Angel: [claps] That’s good, that’s good. So do you have any final words for your fans or anything?
Trey: I love all y’all. Anybody that’s supported me, bought a ringtone, voted for a video, hit me up on myspace. Whatever baby, if you gotta little love for me I love you back. And if you hating, I love you more. You know what it is.
Angel: Ok, so that Trey Day on October 2nd? We can get that on October 2nd.
Trey: Yeah.
Angel: Ok, thank you Trey.
Trey: Alright, baby.
Angel: Bye.