The Review

Issue date: 11/13/07 Section: Mosaic

Media Credit: Ricky Berl

"Ladies, I'm here for you. Are you here for me?" Trey Songz asks his adoring crowd during Friday's performance at Thompson Hall.

As if the high-pitched screams and giddy voices aren't enough, the backstage walls lined with frantic and impatient girls after the show make the answer a clear "yes."

It seems seduction is as much a part of his act as crooning. Songz, 22, pulls both off with confidence and a playful smirk.

As the curtains open to reveal the Cultural Programing Advisory Board's featured artist, just a grin is enough to induce shrieks of affection and melt the heart of every girl in attendance.

Songz admits he's blessed, but is obviously aware of the effect his presence has on the female community.

He removes all but his pants early into his set and crouches down to sing to fans. Soon after, he rips off his tank top, wipes his brow with it and gives it to an audience member. He sings a capella and wiggles his tongue before he opens a water bottle with his mouth, and offers fans the opportunity to meet him backstage.

Hook, line and sinker, they're all wrapped tightly around his finger.

Such is the life of any R&B star, and in the field alongside Chris Brown and Ne-Yo, Songz looks to put his own spin on the often suggestive and vulnerable genre.

"I do me," Songz says.

For Songz, "me" is an interesting blend of rap and R&B, with subject matter ranging from sex, relationships, sex, courting, sex and sometimes something more responsible.

His latest album "Trey Day" features the song "Store Run," a detailed story about the importance of getting a condom in the heat of the moment.

As a change of pace, Songz says it's his objective to promote responsibility. He considers it a mark of both his past and future writing.

"It's most definitely an intentional message," he says. "I did that more on my last album, but you can definitely expect more of it from me."

Songz's style also encompasses his love for rap, something he says is deeply rooted in him.

"Rap is just something I love to do," he says, "whether I'm doing it on a whole album, or just here and there."

With a love for his craft and a love for women, Songz commands the stage, starting off with his featured parts on the hit singles "First Time" (Young Joc) and "Girl Tonite" (Twista), then cataloging the highlights from his first and second albums.

Continued...

Page 1 of 2 next >

Article Tools