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Petersburg native Trey Songz, the self-dubbed 'prince of Virginia,' is living up to his title. |
BY JESSE SCOTT
FOR THE FREE LANCE-STAR
Maybe next year the "prince of Virginia" can dethrone the queen of the airwaves.
Fresh off a loss to Beyonce at this year's Grammy Awards, Petersburg native Trey Songz appears to be rebounding just fine.
Losing the "best contemporary R&B album" nod provided a mere dent in Songz's reign. After all, his latest album, "Ready," was just certified gold; women like him a lot; and he's on a mega-tour with Jay-Z and Young Jeezy, which will hit the Verizon Center next Wednesday.
"You've got Jay-Z and Jeezy, who are up there doing their thing, and then I'm doing mine," said Songz in a recent phone interview from Fort Lauderdale, Fla. "I'm up there singing, and I'm there for the ladies."
The opportunity to tour with a mogul like Jay-Z is definitely up there on Songz' career highlight reel.
"What this tour really means to me is a realization of success," said Songz. "Jay-Z is huge and successful, and he's seen me perform in the past. For him to have a certain level of respect for my work, and to grace it, is incredible."
A growing number of artists are starting to open their ears to Songz. It's hard not to. With a soulful vibe that captures the ruggedly sweet vocal qualities of Usher and Chris Brown, Songz sounds good solo or with just about anyone.
It's no wonder he's teamed up with the likes of Drake, Fabolous and even Barbra Streisand. As part of Lionel Richie's and Quincy Jones' remake of "We Are the World," Songz had the distinct honor of sharing the stage with Streisand, Tony Bennett and L.L. Cool J, among others.
But one performance earlier this year really sticks out in his mind. "Performing with Stevie Wonder is definitely the highlight of my career, especially having him perform from my record," said Songz, who sang "That Girl" and "I Invented Sex" with Wonder earlier this month at the "BET Honors" show.
"To sing with him and have him play the keyboard having that bond onstage was incredible."
Not too shabby for a 25-year-old Virginia lad. Now on music's A-list, Songz misses a few comforts about his hometown.
"Virginia made me who I am to a certain extent," said Songz. "I miss the little things like driving on the back roads, feeling the wind coming through my Chevy and going to the mall. But, really, a lot of Virginia to me is about the people I know and time I had, rather than the place itself."
Working on a new record and his sixth single, it seems Songz is less focused on reflection and more on the future.
"I have been more than blessed," said Songz. "For me, it's always about what's next. I'm excited about where I'm at and am always looking forward."
Jesse Scott is a freelance writer
Email: jesserobertscott@gmail.com.
