R&B Newcomer Trevante Wants A Cougar To Be His Girl
R&B singer Trevante premiered the video for his debut single "Be My Girl" on 106 & Park this week. With Trevante's baby face and Michael Jackson-sounding vocals, the female teen audience is sure to vote this record right up the charts. But don't count the older women out, because Trevante says he loves them too.
"I call ‘em sugar cookies. I like them they sweet as sugar. I love the cougars!" the 17-year old singer tells BET.com. And he doesn't discriminate either. If he had his pick, it'd be Rihanna, Jojo, or even 106 & Park's own Rocsi. "Everybody who knows me knows I love Rocsi. I met her and Terrence in 2006. I got to perform during the break. I took pictures and everything," he remembers.
Fast forward to 2011, and Trevante is signed to Imani Entertainment/Interscope records, watching his own video on 106. Label CEO and Keyshia Cole's former manager Manny Haley says Trevante is more than just your average teen singer. "This kid is only 17 years old, but his talent and vocal skills far surpass his age. He will be the next big thing, so keep your eyes out for him," says Haley, who had the same feeling about Keyshia Cole before he became her manager.
But for the son of a musician who didn't originally want Trevante to get into the business, the young singer became even more determined. Trevante's dad Joe was a member of a 90's R&B quartet called Groove U, who were signed to Atlantic Records. The group was short-lived, with their highest single peaking at #68 on the Billboard R&B Singles chart. But that didn't discourage Trevante from bringing things full circle. Ironically, he's now working with Troy Taylor, the same guy who wrote and produced on his dad's album. "He’s worked with Trey Songz, Boyz II Men, Brownstone, the list goes on. But he also worked on my dad’s first album. I look up to him a lot," he says.
With the release of his first video, the Houston-native is excited about finally fulfilling his life-long dream. "This is all I ever wanted, ever since I was 8 years old. I’m not in it for the money. I love just singing good music. I love to perform. I love to write. I just want to entertain."
