Trey Songz is the stage name of Tremaine Aldon Neverson, an American singer, producer and actor from Petersburg, Virginia. Born in 1984, he begins recording under the name Prince of Virginia before signing to Atlantic Records in 2005. He is also associated with the label April’s Boy Music, LLC.

Career

Songz starts his career after record producer Troy Taylor discovers him at a talent show. After graduating from high school, he moves to New Jersey to pursue music. He recognises his singing ability at the age of 14 and, at first, is reluctant to perform until encouraged by friends and family.

Before his debut album, he releases a series of mixtapes under the alias Prince of Virginia. He also records “Open the Closet”, an answer track to R. Kelly’s “Trapped in the Closet”.

Albums and releases

His debut album, I Gotta Make It, is released in 2005 through Atlantic Records and enters the Billboard 200 at number 20. Its singles include “Gotta Make It” and “Gotta Go”.

His second album, Trey Day, arrives in 2007 and debuts at number 11 on the Billboard 200. It features guest appearances from Bun B and Jim Jones, with production contributions from Bryan-Michael Cox, R. Kelly, James Harris, Terry Lewis, Andrew Harr, Bernard Freeman, Floyd Hills, Tamir “Nokio” Ruffin, Justin Haro and M.S. Eriksen. The album includes the singles “Wonder Woman”, “Can’t Help but Wait” and “Last Time”.

Ready follows in 2009 and debuts at number 3 on the Billboard 200. It is preceded by “I Need a Girl”, and a companion video is issued for “Brand New”. Before the album release, he puts out the mixtape Anticipation and also releases Genesis, a collection of early recordings made when he is 15.

His fourth album, Passion, Pain & Pleasure, is released in 2010, and his fifth album, Chapter V, follows in 2012.

Recognition and performance aliases

Songz earns a Grammy nomination for Trey Day, and “Can’t Help but Wait” receives a nomination for Best Male R&B Vocal Performance at the 2009 Grammy Awards. In 2008, he is also nominated for a BET Award for Best Male R&B Artist.

He performs as Trigga when rapping and is known as Songz 00711 in the group Ocean’s 7.

Style and activity

His music is associated with contemporary R&B, electropop, hip hop, pop rap, R&B and soul. He is described as a vocalist with work across singing, production and acting.