Atlanta-based soul chanteuse Trei (pronounced "tree") was born in Detroit, February 19th 1973 and her musical introduction to performing was in gospel. By age four, she was singing on a Sunday church radio broadcast where she was a regular for the next two years. Her formal voice training began at age six, and all around her she heard music, especially the famed girl groups of Motown.

"My adopted mom was older, "recalls Trei," and she had a stack of 45's." Childhood was a challenge. Given up for adoption, Trei was eventually returned to the system by her adopted mother.

Trei

By her teen years, she was living on her own while attending high school and excelling in choir and talent competitions. "I was becoming the person I am now", she qualifies. "I remember scrubbing bathrooms at age 14 in order to make money to go to New Orleans with the choir." And always music was a refuge and beacon.

Shortly after high school, she left Michigan for the emerging music capitol of Atlanta. "I thought I'd come down here, go to LaFace, jump on the desk, sing, and they'd make me a star. I had no idea: you have to put the work in." The work included singing backing vocals for LaFace recording artists, Young Bloods, on their debut, and performing an array of gigs to make a living: recording sessions, society events, galas, balls and showcases - from clubs to concert halls.

When Trei began writing lyrics to her own songs, another level of honesty came forth. She enlisted the help of Atlanta studio ace Eric Fleming - a veteran of projects with Cindy Lauper and Miki Howard - to collaborate. "Eric would give me tracks and they'd speak to me. What I had to say are about things other people have dealt with in their lives. The words started flowing out of me like water. I would think about what I was dealing with: failure, not getting into my passion, or being comfortable with my purpose. "From these emotions, conflicts, and ultimate resolution, emerged the lyrics that became the framework for her debut, This is Me.