[INTERVIEW] Veteran Artist Trey Lorenz Returns With Grown & Sexy, Southern Soul Vibe

November 8, 2024

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Having initially started out as a member of a short lived group dynamic, Florence, South Carolina’s own Trey Lorenz saw his career in music really skyrocket after meeting a then aspiring artist by the name of none other than Miss Mariah Carey. In ‘90, Carey would take Lorenz out on her first promo tour, which also led to him providing backing vocals on her second studio album, Emotions. The two would later go on to perform a picture perfect rendition of the 1970 number-one Jackson 5 hit, “I’ll Be There,” which topped the US Billboard Hot 100 and R&B singles chart, as well as earning Lorenz and Carey both a Grammy Award nomination for Best R&B Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocals, on MTV Unplugged. Fueled by its lead offering, “Someone to Hold,” Trey’s self-titled debut solo set arrived in September ‘92.

Trey Lorenz On:

Long overdue new single, “Magic”:

I hadn’t been inspired to write music for quite some time. Then, I attended a barbecue in the summer of 2023 and met producer Doc Walker. He played some music for me, and within two minutes I was ready to record and start creating again. I told Doc that I wanted to record music that resonated with me, and Southern Soul is a genre that holds a special place in my heart, especially in the South. Our first collaboration was the song “Magic.” I believe “Magic” is the grown and sexy version of my music.

Lengthy musical hiatus:

A few reasons for my hiatus are: I wasn’t inspired to write, I’m comfortable being in the background, I enjoy working with my friend Mariah – it’s literally a dream gig for a singer – and I wanted to explore other interests.

Inspiration for writing music:

Some of everything… it depends on the song. If it’s not about me, then it’s a story I’ve heard or imagined. I have a vivid imagination.

Whatchu been up to:

Outside of music, I’ve been living and enjoying life. I moved back South to be closer to my family a decade ago. Then during the pandemic, I decided to get serious about real estate and helping others build generational wealth.

Current state of R&B:

I really enjoy some of the younger artists like Jazmine Sullivan, and I loved the Silk Sonic singles. There are others, too, but for me the golden era of R&B was the ‘70’s!

Key to longevity:

I honestly don’t think of myself in those terms, but music is my passion so it doesn’t seem like work.

Biggest career moment:

Being asked to sing “I’ll Be There” with Mariah. It was only the 8th cover song in chart history to hit #1 twice! Then to sing it at Michael Jackson’s memorial was bittersweet, but monumental.