We first got wind of Baltimore-based artist Trey Rx when he released “i-83” a few weeks back. It was that single that placed him on our radar as a rising international artist who was making sounds that were captivating listeners – with his unique flow, intellectual bars, and instrumental backdrops meshed with down tempo beats.
So you could say we were a fan from the drop, and the announcement of his debut project Frequency came with automatic interest. Although he resides south of our Canadian border, his sound would seamlessly transition into our overall current taste for the genre (especially the love for down tempo beats that dominates Central Canada). He felt like a proper match for our audience, and an artist who has the potential to make the jump past borders.
Through correspondence, Trey opened up with an introduction to the project, explaining, “I don’t know where you are as you open this, I don’t know what kind of mood you’re in either. However I can promise that this EP is the start and an end of something beautiful. Over the last 6 months I’ve fought, I’ve given up, lost, cried, laughed, hated & loved it. Honestly, It’s been a process. But finally, maybe most importantly, we finished it.” The project is a touching tribute, with layers that take time to peel back.
Along with the 7 tracks, you’ll find features and production from a variety of Baltimore voices who added their own quality of depth and value. We had the opportunity to speak to Trey about Frequency. Stream the project below and catch our conversation after the drop to find out more.
Q&A: Trey Rx
HipHopCanada: Thanks for talking to us and congratulations on the new project! What does this EP mean to you?
Trey Rx: No thank you! FREQUENCY is my chance to introduce Trey Rx to the public – the start of my career. A lot of blood and sweat was put into creating this body of work and I’m happy it’s finally out! lol
HipHopCanada: This will be the first introduction to your music for much of our audience. How do you describe the music you make, and what kind of artist do you hope to be perceived as?
Trey Rx: My music is a fusion of hip hop, R&B, alternative and funk – all of the sounds my Uncle Craig and Aunt Mika put me onto as a kid. All the sounds I heard from my Cousin Collin in VA. They all have great taste and were cool as hell so I’m kinda’ blessed, you know? I aspire to be perceived as someone who lets the music speak. Fuck a twitter rant, fuck the theatrics, fuck a tabloid. Let’s bring it back to the art of creating shit that sticks!
HipHopCanada: People might not know that you’re actually from Baltimore. How has your environment, and the city, influenced what we hear?
Trey Rx: Coming from Baltimore, you kinda’ wake up everyday with your back against the wall and a chip on your shoulder that gives you a little more reason to make something out of nothing. Sonically, the sound growing up was Club Mix and R&B (acts like Dru Hill, Mario & Ruff Endz all originate from Baltimore). But over the years it has progressed into a more rap-based area. I like to incorporate a bit of all of it into my feel.
HipHopCanada: What was your creative process like with this EP, and what did you want listeners to take away?
Trey Rx: I made FREQUENCY at my lowest state. Truth be told, if I wasn’t going to the studio as much and pushing myself to rewire my brain I don’t know if I’d be here. I challenged myself to open up more and put a bit of me in this – something the listeners won’t have to question.
HipHopCanada: If you had to choose, what was the most fulfilling track for you to make and what inspired it?
Trey Rx: I would def say “FIRST SIGHT.” It’s the first track and one of the most vulnerable songs on the album. I was blessed by the amazing Nolec Yasin with some godly vocals, as well. I used to make songs and poems for my ex all the time, and this is the best/last one.
HipHopCanada: What are some obstacles that you’ve personally overcome – either with this project or in your career so far?
Trey Rx: I’d say finding the confidence to deliver this project, my way, was definitely an obstacle in the early stages. As artists, we work so diligently to make sure we project the best body of work we can and it’s easy to get lost in the sauce. I had to rewire my brain, tighten up my circle and push myself to another plateau to deliver something I felt comfortable sharing with the world.
HipHopCanada: What’s your favourite lyric on the EP that you can give listeners a bit of background info on?
Trey Rx: I’d say on the track “PREMIUM.” I’m not where i wanna be – but with you I feel the most complete,” just because this is something we all can relate to falling in love. Sometimes it just happens – you know that person could very well be the one, the connection is real, energy flowing, yet you might not be in a position to give this person the world. Bittersweet, to say the least.
HipHopCanada: You have a couple features on the EP – Nolec Yashin, Stassi, and Soane. How did those collaborations come about?
Trey Rx: These are all women with amazing talents who the world will soon love. Soane is special. We’ve collaborated before, when I lived in NYC and we kept up with each other in hopes to make more classics. Stassi is someone who means a lot to me in the sense I really watched her develop as an artist – lotta’ potential. Nolec is someone I secretly always wanted to work with, I just knew whatever we did had to be something real. Aside from the singers, producers like Coopa Troop, Boogie Madison, DaynNite, Vino, Charles & YG! Beats allowed me to interpret this story in the most vivid way. Also, shoutout to Dacia King for blessing “i-83” and always believing in me.
HipHopCanada: What was really interesting, as an onlooker, was the variety of influences that we hear on here. What sounds have influenced you, or genres?
Trey Rx: I’m influenced by a blend of everything from alternative to trap, as long as the music speaks to me I can move to it. I grew up on Micheal Jackson, Prince, Outkast, Incubus, Thom Yorke, Pharrell and Kanye West. All of these artist made music larger than life by adding live instrumentation to their work. You just respect it more knowing that they took it to bigger heights each time.
HipHopCanada: What’s next for you from here, and is a trip to Canada in the future?
Trey Rx: On August 5th, I’ll be preforming at the Baltimore Music Festival and currently I’m in the process of putting together a tour for the fall – and definitely! Canada has showed me so much love it’s crazy. I’d love to come and connect with artist like: Gov, River Tiber, Derek Wise, Ashton Mills or Roy Woods – a lot of talent out there.
Written by Kira Hunston for HipHopCanada
Stream Trey Rx’s new behind-the-scenes documentary, Still Searching below.
