Trey Songz

A smooth-voiced R&B crooner with a hip hop swagger, Trey Songz takes inspiration from the likes of R Kelly, Marvin Gaye and Prince in making swooning, soulful, urban pop. Born Tremaine Aldon Neverson in Petersburgh, Virginia, he spent his childhood travelling with his military family and overcame his shyness by singing in talent contests. Spotted when he was 15-years-old and taken under the wing of Patti LaBelle producer Troy Taylor, he signed with Atlantic Records and started releasing mix-tapes under the alias Prince of Virginia, before debut I Gotta Make It (2005) featured guest appearances from Aretha Franklin and Twista and made the US Top 20. He scored hits with Can't Help But Wait, Say Aah and Bottoms Up featuring Nicki Minaj, while albums Ready (2009) and Passion, Pain And Pleasure (2010) went Top 10 and Chapter V reached Number 1 in the US charts. With his image of a cool, ladies' man, Trey Songz has gone on to work with P Diddy, Lil Wayne, Drake, Snoop Dogg, T.I. and Toni Braxton.