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Tre Williams - Let There Be Light
Interview By: Kevin L. Clark
 Tre Williams isn’t your average R&B crooner. You won’t see him pop-lockin’ on a slick video set. You won’t see him being a fiend for 106 & Park scream teens. But you will see him alongside Nas. Particularly, on the track “Let There Be Light” off of the “Hip-Hop Is Dead” album.
 The product of Daytona Beach’s rough Pine Haven projects overcame bullets and despair to eventually becoming one of the genres most brightest stars bulleting up the Billboard charts. This talented songwriter, inspired by his true life tales, sits down with NobodySmiling.com as he talks about his music found a kindred spirit and brother in Nas, how he feels his message shall related to the masses and why he’s not worried about 106 & Park giving him groupie love.
Nobodysmiling.com : You’ve built quite an underground following with your soulful voice. But the market isn’t really ripe with true R&B singers, as they usually have a hip-hop infused angle to increase sales. What has been one obstacle that has continued to plague your career?
Tre Williams : The biggest thing is the just pushing straight reality; coming real with my life. I don’t know about a lot of things like having a lot of money and driving big cars, but I know what I’ve seen. I know a lot of people have been through the same life that I’ve been through. They want you to come in with the big jewelry. I’m not like that. Honestly, that was the one thing that pulled me closer to Nas. It was real stuff that he was listening to. Music brings us happiness; there are a variety of songs that do that. There are a few songs that reflect my life personally. Really, all of it sums me up to a tee. Even with the title of my album, “Depths of My Soul” – it’s just to let people know that this is me.
Nobodysmiling.com : With artists seeming focused on monetary success, instead of artistic integrity, your songs seem to remind me of Anthony Hamilton. He hasn’t had the B2K-like success with fans, but is respected as a soul legend. If the crying girls don’t come and the 106 & Park spins are limited, what will keep you going?
Tre Williams : I think it’s coming. You know what I think? Me coming with this movement and being accepted so quickly is the reason why this success is coming. I think that people are going to move towards the real sound. They say that I sound like Anthony, but we both have something that is missing in the game. That’s soul. I won’t bend or break. That was a younger movement, so they’re going to do there numbers. But as long as we can hold respect.
Nobodysmiling.com : “Ready to Fall in Love” is a song to the special lady in your life. As most singers are apt to profess their love for their significant other – has there even been a time where you love was unrequited?
Tre Williams : Nah, I wouldn’t say that that has happened with me. I have been with my wife for awhile. Even my love stuff – it’s needed – you can’t be so straight up hard, so even with that is a beautiful thing. My relationship has had its ups and downs; you know that… nothing in life is ever so rosy. I have had my share of bad things that happened to me, growing up. But as far as the love aspect… it is what it is.
Nobodysmiling.com : You’ve linked up with Nas at a very opportune time. In your bio, it says that he heard the CD and met up with you that same night. What did Nas see in you that others, who may have passed over you, missed?
Tre Williams : I think that what Nas seen in me was a genuine dude and the genuineness was coming out through my music. I’d say that he took a chance on something that he saw other people shun. It’s not a B2K or Ne-Yo movement, so as far as Nas, everybody knows his music and what he stands for. That’s pretty much me on the R&B side. I’ve been through the struggle with the streets. Nas’s and mines views are very similar. To be totally honest, I never shopped anything to Nas. I never sent a CD over there or nothing. It was just by the grace of the God. If nobody believes in God or anything like that, then this is proof. This will make you a believer in a higher power.
Nobodysmiling.com : Nas doesn’t have the best history with singers. There was his association with Quan that kind of fizzled out. What if you get put on the backburner?
Tre Williams : Quan was a rapper who could sing. He never wanted to be a singer. As far as I know, he’s still over at Atlantic. He’s still a part of the family. I wouldn’t say that it fell apart. Before I even signed with Nas, I was making a movement. I had something that was picking up speed. It’s up to me to take that to the next level. Nas can’t sing, he can’t do my interviews, so if I don’t give credibility to who I am it wouldn’t matter who I’m with, I’m not going anywhere. It’s all about my work and I do believe that you get out what you put in.
Nobodysmiling.com : From what I heard so far, you’ve managed to stay away from the “bump ‘n grind” anthems that seems to be others tried-and-true formula. What is it about a song like “Michelle, Michelle” that would resonate with your listeners over a sultry, panties dropping joint?
Tre Williams : “Michelle, Michelle” is a song that deals with something that we see on a daily basis. Young girls are getting more mature faster and more dudes are seeing this and are ready to take advantage of them. The reality of that song is that someone’s daughter, sister, whoever is being taken advantage of. These dudes are leaving scars on these women. It’s a song that should draw attention. You have a lot of singers who won’t take the liberty to sing about something like that. The only other songs that have really touched people on that level is 2Pac’s “Brenda’s Got A Baby” and now, Luda’s “Runaway Love”. You can bump ‘n grind all you want, but you’ll have someone doing that to your little sister or your 12-year-old daughter. If I could save one out of the millions, then I’d be blessed. I’m not a teacher or a prophet, I have my faults like anyone else, but I know right from wrong.
Nobodysmiling.com : In a past interview, you said that once you’ve busted open the doors in the music world that you’d be ready to flood the corporate world. Do you believe that with the business mind that many musicians possess that that could lessen their musical impact?
Tre Williams : Nah, not really, because music is the love. Music is not a business. I love to do this. I would do this for free. It’s just that God has allowed me to earn a living from this. I don’t know about other artists, but I love to do it. I’ve been singing all my life and I’ll continue to do that. If the deal shuts down tomorrow, I’ll still be singing. As far as corporate, that’s just my business mind working and trying to venture out now. I’ve always had a mind for business. I am talking about designing cars to working on a sitcom. I have cologne that’s ready to hit the market. I don’t want to throw it all out there, but it’s a lot of ideas that I’m sitting down with; I’m not waiting. A lot of people like to just hop into clothing lines, but I want to go into other avenues of the corporate world, things that suit me.
Nobodysmiling.com : You appear on “Let There Be Light” – produced by Kanyé West. He’s been known to knock out a soulful, yet catchy, R&B joint for a few Grammy nominated singers. Are there any plans on working with him for your debut?
Tre Williams : It’s crazy that you said that, but I am working with one of his producers who’s under him. I just wrote to four of their tracks now. That’s a done deal. That’s something in the pipeline. Kanyé is someone who I wanted to work with from the gate. He’s from the left. He’ll give you something crazy. For me to do a song with Nas on a Kanyé track is just crazy. I think that it just fast-forwarded the process. By already doing the song, I was able to send a message to him saying that I sounded good on a track with Nas, so just imagine how good I would be on his track, on my own. It was a better audition than anyone could imagine.
Nobodysmiling.com : Most of our soul legends have passed. James Brown, Gerald Levert, Barry White have all made a mark on our lives and our parents lives. What do you think is missing in today’s R&B to where those impacting memories are missing?
Tre Williams : If I could say, I don’t think a lot of the artists are personable as those back in the day. People don’t have tact to how they act nowadays. With Marvin Gaye and the people from back in the day, folks felt like they knew those guys. I think that most of our artists today are so standoffish that they seem unreachable. They sound as if their interviews are scripted. What I’m giving you is what’s on my mind. I don’t need my publicist to speak for me. A lot of dudes aren’t doing to do that. When’s the last time you’ve seen a show where panties are thrown on the stage. There isn’t any passion anymore. Put together a great album. Take the people mentally on a rollercoaster. Make them think, make them want to love. If you do that I guarantee you that the people will love you for it. That’s what I’m trying to do. I was blessed to be able to do a show with Gerald [Levert] before he passed. The dude… I can’t say enough about the guy. He actually watched my show when we were in Nebraska. He gave me advice and told me how much he liked my show. You don’t have artists sharing that type of knowledge anymore. Why? Because they feel like the young artists are mainly out for a dollar. I may not rake in $2 million every album… but I’ll draw a nice fan base where I can touch lives. He said don’t sing over no more tracks, get a band, and when you do that you’ll see that your shows will be better and you can live comfortably off that. I took that to heart, man. I know he’s right because… Gerald did 60-grand that night [laughs]. The world lost a good one with that man. I make sure that I say that Gerald was something inspirational to me.
Nobodysmiling.com : You’ve been on a heralded album with Nasir Jones, co-signed by the streets and the Internet, and still seem humble after all of that. What’s next up for you, man?
Tre Williams : Just steady work man. I want to do my best to put out a great album. I’m not working with singles. I’m trying to come out with a great album. I don’t want to disappoint anyone. At the end of the day, I’m just a man who is blessed with a gift and an opportunity to share it with millions. I’m humble for real. Just give me the love that I give you. When I give out this album, that’s the love that I give them. As I grow, I want people to grow with me. The money is going to come, all the different things are going to come, but I want people to be welcomed into my world. You used to know when an artist was going through something. He didn’t close the world out… he let them in. They don’t do that anymore. I want y’all to get in the car with me and just ride out. When it’s over, you’ll know it. The goal for me is to finish out like Frank and them… on Vegas.
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