Trey Songz finishes Cingular tour at WSSU

Screeches, screams and squeals erupted from a dim Whitaker Gymnasium Sept. 24, as 20-year-old recording artist Trey Songz walked onstage.

The R&B singer from Petersburg, Va., captivated students. His performance at WSSU marked the end of his Cingular Wireless Historic Black Colleges and Universities "Back to School" tour. The 22-campus tour began at Grambling State University in Grambling, Louisiana.

Identical twins Amber and Ashley Neal were among the dozens of students who attended the concert, and Songz picked the two to join him onstage.

"The concert was excellent," Amber Neal, a junior nursing student, said. "I was surprised when he picked my sister and then I got to go onstage with her. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I was going to leave because he took so long, but my friend made us stay because she is infatuated with him. I am glad I didn't leave."

Ashley Neal echoed her sentiment. "I was just amazed that he picked me. I didn't really like him at first. I went because he is a celebrity who came to our school, but now I think he's my husband," joked the junior mass communications major.

Born Tremaine Neverson on Nov. 28, 1984, Songz lived a regular life with a love for music. By 15, Trey had entered, and won, 20 talent shows. Upon graduation from Petersburg High School, Trey moved to New Jersey after meeting his producer, Troy Taylor. After being signed to Atlantic Records for two years, Trey's debut album "I Gotta Make It" was released July 26.

The WSSU concert was part of a special night of entertainment presented by the Campus Activities Board. It featured student performers, comedian Michael Blackson, along with Songz. Students also danced to music by Tommy G Mixx.

Lisa Boone, editor-in-chief of The News Argus, caught up with Songz before the performance. To read her interview with the man called the "Prince of Virginia," turn to the features page.

Boone: I read that you entered and won 20 talent shows. Is that how you got involved in the music industry?

Trey Songz: The talent shows didn't really do much for me. I did that for fun. The way I got into the music game was when I met my producer Troy Taylor. How I met him is a long story. You know how somebody knows somebody that knows somebody that knows somebody that might know somebody. It was that type of thing.

Boone: Did your family encourage your pursuit of a career in music?

Trey Songz: My family is always behind me.

Boone: Have you or do you plan to give back to the community where you are from?

Trey Songz: I give back to my community everyday. Before people knew who I was, I had an annual basketball game that me and my boys Goodfellas Entertainment threw where we brought the best high school players out, they play against each other and we have scouts come out and everything. We give some of the proceeds earned back to the school. I've done a benefit concert with that I pay for and we take about $10,000 and give it to the school. Whenever I'm home, I ride around, go the recreational center and just buy all the kids some ice cream. No matter what it is, I always try to find a way to give back."

Boone: What would you be doing now if you weren't involved in music?

Trey Songz: If I wasn't in music, I don't know what I'd be doing. As soon as I figured out that's what I was gonna do, I knew that's what I was gonna do.

Boone: What would you like to accomplish outside of the music industry?

Trey Songz: Just to be happy, never let this thing take control of me, just stay the same person I am no matter what and take care of my family.

Boone: What are your hobbies?

Trey Songz: I like to chill with my family. I don't really (have) hobbies. I like to bowl, I like to draw, you know, whatever's fun. In my down time and I don't really get a lot of down time, I like to chill with my folk.

Boone: Who are the artists you feel have influenced you the most?

Trey Songz: (The music artist) that has influenced me the most is R. Kelly. Outside of him, there are a lot of artists that my producer introduced me to that I knew nothing about when I started doing music. He put me on to stuff like the Isley Brothers, Prince, the Supremes, Aretha Franklin...people that I didn't know about, you know, being a young dude.

Boone: Do you draw from those influences and personal experiences when writing lyrics?

Trey Songz: Those influences, as well as the life I lead, as well as the stuff I've seen, as well as what my friends and people around me experience influence my lyrical content.

Boone: Will your lyrical content change on your next album?

Trey Songz: My lyrical content changes everyday. I write songs. That's what I do in my pastime. It changes every song I do. On my album, you'll see songs like 'From a Woman's Hand' or 'Gotta Make It.' I want to do a lot more songs like that, but coming into the game, right now I'm kinda sorta playing by the rules.

Boone: Did you choose to tour HBCUs, or was that an executive decision?

Trey Songz: (The idea to tour HBCUs) was brought to me and I had the decision of whether to do it or not. I definitely thought it was something cool and was a great thing to get involved with just because I am 20-years-old and if I would have went to college, I would be (enrolled) in an HBCU. I think it's great because I'm in contact with the folk that I would be in school with or the young Black people that feel how I feel, you know, they're in college and trying to find a way out like I was.