Trey Songz says he's focused on 'becoming a legend musically'

• Share on Facebook
• Share on Twitter
• Share via Email
• Copy Link

  Link Copied

After selling multi-platinum records, scoring consecutive No. 1 hits and earning two Grammy nominations, Trey Songz doesn’t quite consider himself a legend — at least not yet.

Instead, in an interview with theGrio Monday, the R&B crooner says he is aware of the influence he has on music and pop culture, but he still has a lot left he wants to accomplish.

“I think I’m very seasoned, but I think I’m a little bit away from being a legend,” Songz told theGrio’s Lilly Workneh. “I’m going to work very hard to make sure that if anybody calls me that it’s going to be deserved.”

Still, many may argue that Songz has reached such a status — and the release of his sixth studio album, Trigga, could help to cement that title.

The album, which releases nationwide Tuesday, marks yet another monumental moment for the singer — and adds to the palate of sultry love songs he’s been known to make.

“The tone of this album is real and honest,” he said. In following that lead, Songz even opens up in songs that describe past relationships where he says he “f****d up.”

“Not intentionally, but you know you get caught up — and doing a million things and being the head of my family and having a million women lust over me and living fast and not knowing what the truth is when you’re in love or trying to be in a relationship with somebody, you have to be accountable for those feelings,” he added. “I’m at a place in my life where I’m really focused on becoming a legend musically and taking care of my people.”

theGrio | Trey Songz defends August Alsina, speaks out about BET performance

The album offers an eclectic mix of songs that reflect more of the sexy ballads and hit party songs Songz has mastered. These same songs have attracted millions of fans who have idolized and admired the 29-year-old singer ever since his debut hit “I just Gotta Make It” in 2005.

“I’ve fought very hard to stay true to my music throughout my career,” he said. “This album here I’ve had the most creative control, I mean I’ve had creative control probably since Ready (which released in 2009); before that I was fighting with A&R, and I was still making music that I heard, but it was a battle to be heard as a young man.”

Now, Songz has become synonymous with the charisma and charm he has exuded over the years — both in his music and through his music videos.

His latest song, “Foreign” falls in line with some of his most popular songs with hooks and choruses that chime about the beauty he finds in women and what he finds attractive. Meanwhile, the music video is one that visually represents these sizzling lyrics with images of women who somewhat break the traditional mold.

“I wanted to do more [with the video]. I wanted flags, all of that — but I wanted to be creative with it, ” he said. “We got women from the UK, from Jamaica, from Africa — overall, I thought it was a great video.”

“If you look at my videos over the last few years, I make sure to show all types of women every chance I get,” he went on to say. “Especially with a song called ‘Foreign,’ I want to make sure that I show that foreign is beautiful and that it is also black and Asian and Australian and South American. There’s so much beauty, and throughout my videos, I’ve showed all types of women, so it’s always a goal of mine to speak to every fan that I have as far as women are concerned because they want to see a representation of themselves inside of this world.”

Songz’ appreciation for the diversity among women is a quality fans admire — that is, along with his stellar physique and killer smile. He’s managed to maintain an allure that has captured countless fans who are more committed than ever to hearing his new work.

As part of his new album release, the singer has teamed up with Target, who will be the only retailer offering an exclusive deluxe album featuring three bonus songs: “Hard to Walk Away,” “Serial” and “Sneaky.”

“The extra three songs, I feel, match the tone of the album, and when you make 60 songs for a 12-15 song album, you try to figure out a way to get them on there — and Target gave me a way,” he said. “Fans are drawn into the experience a little bit more.”

Trigga officially released nationwide Tuesday. Fans can buy the exclusive deluxe version of the album here.