We were lucky to catch up with Tré Campbell recently and have shared our conversation below.
Tré, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Did you always know you wanted to pursue a creative or artistic career? When did you first know?
So I first picked up the pen in 7th grade, around 12 or 13 years old, and looking back on how it all started…I’d have to say it was divine timing/the universe/or whatever you want to call it. It all happened and aligned perfectly.
It all started as a suggestion from a friend of mine and I went with it (it wasn’t uncommon for people trying out rap at that time; it was a big deal in the city, essentially apart of the culture). Once I picked it up, I just never stopped. When I was stuck at home sick, when I got suspended that one time, after homework and class work, I’d be writing SOMETHING.
Starting out, I knew I was still trying to find my way. In no way shape or form did I think I was the best thing out, BUT I knew I was onto something. It just felt natural to me. It felt right.
As I kept honing my skills, I was still rather shy to openly share my creations until around high school. At that time, I got with a group of guys and learned so much and gained a lot of confidence (as well as getting humbled a few times as well). And I realized, I couldn’t see myself doing anything else with my life. I would get fired or be unhappy with the little summer/side jobs I’d pick up, which started getting me into the mindset of: “The only thing I can do right, is write. I really don’t know what’s left.”
Adopting that view, my first real “leap” in making my art my life’s pursuit, was when I decided to go to college and I had to submit a demo…and I got accepted.
From that point on, I seen it as set in stone that Music is what I am meant to do. Since that accomplishment, I’ve been receiving signs, big and small – subtle and blatant, that I have found my purpose and to not get discouraged.
Tré, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
In all actuality, I don’t see my self as any better or greater than anybody. Truly. Everybody has their own story and that’s what makes us unique; however, what I’d say that sets me apart is my intensity and dedication. More so for the simple fact that I found what brings it out of me. I refuse to not succeed. And I’m sure that once anyone finds what’s worth their mind, body, spirit…what sets their soul on fire, I’m sure they can feel the same way that I do. One of the number one things that my mom instilled in me when I was growing up was self expression. Always let out my emotions, my ideas, whatever is inside…let it out in some way, shape, or form (constructively of course). And that has always stuck with me. It was also another thing that kept me rooted in myself…it basically helped me stay true to myself and keep my identity intact no matter what room I find myself in. By doing that, I ended up bumping into people on a similar path and began to organically network, noticing one thing leading into another.
When I meet people and they see how I present myself, I end up with the privilege of them opening up to me about their passions or with them asking for advice or just hearing them vent. It’s not necessarily a service I provide, but I truly love being someone that people can bounce their ideas off of or being that person to help someone rework their ideas to be more effective and fulfilling. Like I said, self expression is deeply rooted in me, so it could be design, crafts, writing, a routine, anything…I love it and love to play any role needed to ignite/reignite that fire in someone else.
I’m a little funny on the whole “proud” thing. If I do something noteworthy, I’ll give it a nod and maybe give myself a little pat on the back, but I’m quick to look for “What’s next? There’s more to do.” If I had to pick something, I am proud to say that I’ve been told that I have inspired others to operate in their truth despite being discouraged from doubt that they receive from their other friends or their family. Whether from being around me, hearing one of my lyrics, or having a phone call with me, I can say I’m proud to say I have helped at least one person in a beneficial way…now I have millions of more people to reach.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
NEVER GET TOO COMFORTABLE!
Man, that was a hard pill to swallow.
So here’s the condensed version:
I’m in college, junior year I believe. Good grades, was on the basketball team, had some songs buzzing around campus, so everyone knew me for one reason or another. I almost thought I was doing something, lol.
So one of the groups on campus was going to hold a talent show. They reached out and asked me to take part to help promote the event, I accepted the honor, of course. So I linked up with a freshman producer and we were going to do a song for the end of the show. But the thing is, he didn’t really have the motivation to rehearse. We had one sit down, got the song done, and that was it. Talent show was about 2 weeks out. I went over the song here and there but I messed around and told myself “I’m not even going to worry about it. I got this.”
So I thought.
Talent show comes and it goes great. To end off the show, they call me up and the crowd goes crazy (really wasn’t expecting it, but definitely wasn’t going to refuse it). So I got up there, thanked everyone for coming out, and got started. The producer started up his keyboard and everything went smooth…until the music started to skip and I choked. Instantly I started to play it off and knew I had to think fast, but everyone started to slowly realize that I was stuck. People was laughing, running out of the room, it was bad.
Somehow, I pulled myself together and told the producer to cut the music completely and I did an a capella off the top of my head and “saved” myself, winning the crowd back…most of them.
But to add insult to injury, once I got off stage and all of the participants lined up for the winner to be announced, there was a surprise contestant. Who also said he had a song he wanted to do (and he was a football player, so you can image how this ended up). He got up there with a DJ and started going performing with his teammates hyping him up. Nobody could really make out what he was saying, but it was unmistakable when he said my name and pointed at me. So the crowd bursted out and shook the room, I had to get back on stage, and yyeeeaaaa.
It wasn’t fun. And admittedly, I did it to myself. I bounced back and set the record straight after everything was said and done, but I learned my lesson: NEVER get too comfortable…ever.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
The most rewarding aspect of being a creative…execution and reception.
To elaborate, creating with songs/lyrics is wild if you sit and think about it. There are an estimated 171,146 word in the English dictionary (thank you, Google), and there ENDLESS ways in which those words can be organized, let alone rhythms, cadences, flows, etc. so with all of that at your disposal and a blank canvas (with it without music), to demolish the wall of writers block and to craft a verse/lyric that adequately conveys a concept in your mind…that is no small feat. And to sit here and explain it that way just threw my mind in a loop, and I’m the one that loves to do this myself lol. But to find more and more ways to get your deepest, darkest, most personal, relatable, inspirational, silliest, funniest, etc ideas out…is a sense of satisfaction that I can savor forever.
That, paired with it actually resonating with a listener….there’s nothing like it. To actually be understood and seen…I can’t put it into words.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/_blkdmndgotti?igshid=YWJhMjlhZTc=
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@tregottiofficial2667
- Other: https://songwhip.com/tregotti
Image Credits
Ellen Nicole Photography 1KMoments