RnB music is taking on new forms. At least, if it has anything to do with the Atlanta-by-way-of-St. Louis rising RnB star Ryan Trey, the future-classic genre will continue to evolve and capture the zeitgeist of romantic commentary for many years to come.
When I arrive to interview Trey at Universal Music’s offices, he greets me warmly, exuding a laid-back confidence that’s uncommon of a 24-year-old that has recently been catapulted into the international limelight. In the month prior to our meeting, Trey released his debut album Streets Say You Miss Me…, a 13-track-wide exploration into the aftermath of a messy break-up, and the nostalgic feelings of longing that go hand in hand with “wanting someone back”. Having entered the year with the release of his viral collaboration with Jordan Ward, “White Crocs”, a track that catapulted both Trey and his label mate onto a trajectory for global notoriety, it’s no doubt that Trey has had a year filled with successes. Now, at the apex of the release of his debut album, a bold musical statement that puts a youthful spin on the sonic worlds forged by the likes of PARTYNEXTDOOR and Drake, Trey is signalling at the space he is aiming to take up in an ever-evolving genre.
Therefore, as I catch up with the emerging talent whilst he’s in town touring the new record for a discussion on the path it took to get to this point, it becomes glaringly evident that I’m interacting with the bright future of internationally facing RnB.
Watch Ryan Trey’s “MORE THAN SORRY”…
Read the interview…
Hey Ryan! How’s it going?
Hey Wonderland! Everything is going well, I’m excited to be back in London. I love it here!
Can you walk us through your upbringing? What initially led you to pursue a music career, and which artists or experiences have influenced your musical journey?
Well, I currently live in Atlanta Georgia, but I grew up in St. Louis Missouri. I moved around a lot growing up so I spent a lot of time alone. I think what initially led to me pursuing music was that I kept resetting my personal life and love life in each city I moved to; I had to break up with a few girlfriends over the years because I was moving out of town. So, in order to process that, I ended up spending a lot of time writing songs in solitude, and that’s what initially got me into making my own music.
Last month, you released your debut album Streets Say You Miss Me! You’re in London touring, what are the street’s saying about the new project? How’s the reception been?
Yeah, the reception has been the best I’ve ever received! Prior to the release, this was the most confident I’ve ever been about a full body of work of mine, especially given that it’s only my second release to date. Honestly, the feedback I got was exactly what I had imagined. One of my goals is for my fans to always be able to say “this album is even better than the last..”, and that’s all I’ve been seeing on social media and hearing in person. I feel more than blessed.
How would you describe your musical style and the genre you feel most closely aligned with?
I’m just creative. I don’t really have a way of describing it – I’m just vibing. Taking things day by day, I’m always creating something, I’ve always been into expressing how I feel. I’ve never really thought about that honestly. As far as being in the RnB realm, it’s just an extension of myself as I grew up on so much RnB.
Talk us through your creative process and how this new body of work came about! You’ve experienced massive success with the release of your first EP, A 84 East Saga, as well as your breakout single “30 Floors Up”, as well as a recent notable collaboration this year with Jordan Ward on “White Crocs” before releasing your debut album. How does Streets Say You Miss Me continue to showcase the progression in your artistry?
It goes back to what I was saying earlier about how each piece of work I put out has shown growth- that’s usually my process. To envision my trajectory and feel confident in it. ‘White Crocs’ is an amazing record too, an amazing moment and example of the above. I’ve heard it so much outside in the streets, it’s been cool to hear it everywhere alongside the release of my own album. I’d already imagined, manifested and prayed about all of these things long before all the successes, so in a way I feel like I’ve been prepared for each milestone reached.
Did you experience any pivotal collaborations on this album? Ones that might have taught you something more about your musicality? You’ve got some very strong features on SSYMM — Vory, Mariah The Scientist, NOCAP and Chase Shakur?
Yes, every song I worked on with those artists did something completely different than what I had imagined in my head when I originally wrote the records and I loved the ideas they added, sometimes even better than my own. In hindsight, this time around I’ve learned that trusting each artist’s individual creative process is important.
What are some of the wider themes you’re touching on throughout the project?
I’m touching a lot on immaturity. I think that’s a topic a lot of people are sacred to speak on; their own wrong doings. I had to kill my ego in the process of making this project because I really love the girl I made it about and I want her back. Toxicity isn’t something I embrace or represent. I think it’s a terrible trend in our generation right now, and I don’t want to be anything like that. I guess that was the biggest theme I was attempting to drive forward.
I think that’s a great message to have. In closing, how would you describe this chapter of your life and your artistry?
I’d say I’m just giving myself the artistic space to find who I really am, and am using what I learn through artistic expression in order to be prepared to love someone properly, to achieve true romance. I think that’s what RnB has always been about and I feel like I’m doing my part to further that.