Conversations with STARBOY TRE

Today we’d like to introduce you to STARBOY TRE.

Hi STARBOY TRE, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My story starts at a very young age. According to my mom, I’ve been singing since I was born. Looking back, there were little moments throughout my childhood that pointed me toward music. I’d sing at church with my cousins, and whenever we’d spend the night at each other’s houses, we’d spend hours singing and dancing just for fun.

Ironically, I didn’t grow up thinking I was a great singer. I knew I could carry a tune, but I always assumed, “If I can do it, anyone can.” That mindset became one of the biggest obstacles I had to overcome because I underestimated my own gift.

If I had to pinpoint the moment I caught the music bug, it would be after watching High School Musical. I was already a huge Disney kid and loved The Cheetah Girls. Growing up in the early 2000s, 106 & Park was also a staple in my house after school. Between Disney musicals and music video countdowns, I was constantly surrounded by music, and it inspired me to perform.

I started entering talent shows whenever I could. Since I’m from Albany, Georgia, there weren’t many opportunities for young singers to get discovered, so I mostly competed in school talent shows before eventually auditioning for shows like American Idol, The X Factor USA, America’s Got Talent, The Four, and The Voice. I auditioned for American Idol when I was 13 and The Voice at 15. I didn’t make it past the producer rounds, but those experiences only made me want it more.

Entertainment seemed to follow me everywhere. My first job was at Chuck E. Cheese when I was 15, where I worked as Chuck E., a party host, cashier, and more. Looking back, I realize that job taught me how to entertain an audience long before I thought of it that way.

After high school, I attended LaGrange College before transferring to Columbus State University. Although I was only there for a year, it became one of the most important chapters of my life because I met one of my closest friends, J’mese. We instantly bonded over Rihanna’s ANTI album and spent countless nights writing songs, dreaming about the future, and encouraging each other creatively. She reminded me that I wasn’t crazy for believing music could become something bigger.

Unfortunately, I had to leave Columbus State because I couldn’t afford to continue, and for several years I found myself trying different jobs while searching for my direction. But no matter where life took me, music somehow found its way back into the picture.

While working at a liquor store, I met John-John from the R&B group Silk through his wife, who heard me singing and insisted I meet him. Later, while working at Amazon, I met a producer who had worked with artists in the ‘90s. That opportunity led to studio sessions and even a three-month trial record deal. During that time, I learned some of the most valuable lessons about the music industry. One piece of advice that has stayed with me is, “You can’t help somebody level up if you’re on the same level.” It completely changed how I viewed my own career.

This year, I finally decided to stop treating music like a dream and start treating it like my purpose. After losing my job at Amazon, I had a moment of clarity. I realized I didn’t want to spend my life wondering, “What would’ve happened if I had really tried?” So I committed fully to becoming STARBOY TRE. I created new social media accounts, built my artist brand from the ground up, and decided to invest everything I have into becoming the artist I’ve always imagined.

I’ve been writing songs since 2008, when I was just a kid making up raps with my cousins. Today, I know performing is my gift. Music is how I express myself, connect with people, and tell my story. My goal is simple: to create music that makes people feel seen, gives them confidence, and reminds them to embrace who they are.

This is only the beginning. Soon, the world will hear a STARBOY TRE song.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Not at all. One of my biggest struggles was believing in myself. For the longest time, I hated the sound of my own voice, but I kept singing anyway. Whenever someone complimented me, I’d brush it off by saying, “Oh, I can’t really sing,” because I thought I was being humble. Looking back, I realize I was actually downplaying my own gift.

Like a lot of creatives, I also heard, “You need to get a real job.” Once my parents realized I was serious about pursuing singing and acting, they weren’t exactly on board at first. They wanted me to choose a more traditional path because they wanted stability for me. Over time, though, they began to see how committed I was and eventually became supportive.

What’s funny is that I was almost backwards. Even though I didn’t like my own voice, I’d still get up and sing karaoke in front of complete strangers, upload singing videos to YouTube, and spend hours writing songs. Looking back, I think that says everything. No matter how much I doubted myself, I couldn’t walk away from music.

You can fool everyone else, but you can’t fool yourself. Eventually, your passion catches up to you, and you have to decide whether you’re going to keep running from it or finally embrace it. I chose to embrace it.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Hey! I’m STARBOY TRE and I’m a pop/R&B artist. I always say my music feels like sunshine. It’s melody-driven pop mixed with R&B, hip-hop, and a lot of early 2000s nostalgia. I just like making music that makes people feel good.

I think what I’m best at is writing hooks. Once I hear a beat, I can literally hear the song on it and that’s why’s my songs don’t just sit on top of a beat, they dance with it like they’ve already known each other.

I’m also proud that I don’t box myself in. I don’t feel like every song has to fit one image. If I’m sad, I’m gonna write a sad song. If I’m feeling myself, I’m gonna write something that’ll make you want to roll your windows down. If I’m mad, you might get a diss track. I just write whatever emotion is real that day because I be going through it.

As a man, I’ve never really fit the mold people expect. I like colors, I like dancing, I like fruity drinks, I like getting my hair don, I smile a lot, I laugh a lot, etc. I’m just…me. I spent a long time wondering if I needed to be different to fit into the industry, and eventually I realized that being myself is the whole point.

More than anything, I hope people know me for putting on a show. I miss when pop stars got on stage and really entertained people. I want somebody to leave my concert smiling, and saying, “Damn, he’s good!” That’s the kind of artist I want to be.

Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
If you’d like to work with me, it’s as simple as sending me a DM on Instagram. I’m always open to meeting new people and collaborating. One of my favorite things about music is how it brings people together. There’s room for everybody, and you never know where one conversation or collaboration might lead.

If you’d like to support me and join my fanbase, GALAXY, you can follow me on social media! You can find me as @starboy.tre on Instagram, Threads, and TikTok, and on YouTube as STARBOY TRE. I’m just getting started, so every follow, share, comment, and stream genuinely means a lot. I can’t wait to share what’s coming next. Join the GALAXY, we’re all stars here.

Contact Info:

• Threads: https://www.threads.com/@starboy.tre
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/starboy.tre
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/197Q3Ha19y/
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@starboytre
• Soundcloud: https://on.soundcloud.com/PxV1TNDP0TXuf4jivb
• TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@starboy.tre