His timing seemed perfect.
Summer ’05 was desperate for a windows-rolled-down knocker, and it was just becoming cool again for thugs to have girlfriends. Nearly a decade younger than Jagged Edge and Jaheim, he brought a believability to the image of the roughneck crooner that immediately gave his cornrows, wifebeater, and hood-fab single “Gotta Make It” major credibility with the guys and gals of the urban community. However, the follow-up, “Gotta Go,” flopped almost miserably, and poof, Trey Songz was gone.
And though his 2007 do-over with “Can’t Help But Wait” scored him some Billboard points, Trey’s allure just never seemed to catch on with the mainstream. So why hasn’t he popped yet?
For one, or two, rather, there came the heralding of Chris Brown and Ne-Yo. Trey hit the scene several months before Bobby — ahem, I mean Chris — Brown, but failed to muster enough steam to keep the slick-dancing singer from stealing his young Lothario thunder. And while he, and many, many others run circles around Ne-Yo vocally, dude wields a mean pen — as proven by his consecutive platinum albums. So while Chris held down the dance floor and Ne-Yo held down Billboard, Trey was trying to hold down the hood. You listening, Trey? Crossing over doesn’t always mean selling out. Ask Mary.
While we all love Bun B — especially the “Hold U Down” collabo — Trey’s simply gotta get some A-List buddies. Because as he’s busy solidifying his thug status with Ace Hood, Fabolous and Plies, Chris and Ne-Yo are rubbing shoulders with Beyonce, Rihanna and Lil’ Wayne. I’m not sure if it’s him or his people who are adamant about protecting this hood reputation, but personally I don’t think there’s any need for worry — there are a couple photoshoots floating around that have already done the damage.
However, if Trey heeds my advice, there are a couple of lifelines that could swing in his favor. I’m sure the probation and community service sentence Chris Breezy just received will provide just enough album delay for Trey to sneak a quick hit in from his August follow-up, Ready. Then there’s that syrupy-sweet track “Successful” featured on the “So Far Gone” mixtape by Drake, who is shaping up to be quite the A-Lister himself. Follow closely, Trey — you may be able to ride Drizzy’s coat tails all the way to the top.
Trey Songz > Drake “I Invented Sex”
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Vocalz is a truly dope music journalist hellbent on highlighting ugly truths and unnoticed talent in the entertainment industry.
Tags: Chris Brown, Ne-Yo, People, Trey Songz
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