Trey Lorenz: Back In The Spotlight
- Muzikscribe
- May 19
- 3 min read
Updated: May 21
Initially beginning his career in song as a member of not one but two short lived musical collectives, Players and Squeak & the Deep, Flo-Town’s [Florence, South Carolina] own Trey Lorenz met by happenstance, then future, global superstar Mariah Carey forever changing the trajectory of said profession. In 1990, Mimi would take the, now, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter out on her first promo tour, which ultimately led the four octave range tenor to provide backing vocals on Carey’s second studio album, Emotions. Lorenz’s self-titled debut solo set, featuring its lead offering, “Someone to Hold,” arrived in September ‘92.
First things first, let's hop into this single, "Makes Me Wanna Dance" - Tell me about this particular track; how did it even come to fruition?
I was at a BBQ the summer of 2023, and ran into Doc Walker who was the former musical director for R Kelly. I told him how much I enjoyed and miss Robert’s music. We started working together a few months after that, and came up with uptempo songs with a 2-step feel to them. My previous single, “Magic,” and currently, “Makes Me Wanna Dance!” Unfortunately, Doc passed in 2024.
Both tracks comes courtesy of your still forthcoming latest body of work, Uncle Trey Returns - Although pretty self-explanatory, still tell me, conceptually, what this title represents both to and for you?
Uncle Trey Returns is my rebirth musically. It’s been years since I was inspired to write and record. However, young people - like the dancers we work with or my own family and friends - often approach me with all of the old videos and songs from 30 years ago. I have 3 little nieces that are the joy of our family, and they’re very talented. I wanted them to see possibility through me, and I’ve been singing to them since they were babies. They all call me Uncle Trey, so it stuck.
How then does Uncle Trey Returns either differ and / or compare to previous Trey Lorenz efforts?
I think it’s the natural progress of my sound. I love the classics; especially Motown, Philly International and Gospel. But then there’s ‘80’s and ‘90’s influences, with a sprinkle of what’s happening currently. But make no mistake, I consider myself a soul singer!
How then have you either changed and / or evolved since your whole inception into music?
With age comes wisdom. So I’m wiser now to speak up and voice my creative ideas. I was more willing to just go with the flow when I was younger. Now I know what I want and need to hear if I’m going to truly have a connection with the song.
As a songwriter, when you sit down to pen your lyrics where do you draw your inspiration from?
That’s a loaded question because the answer is truly from everything to nothing! It depends on my mood and where the music takes you. In my opinion, the best songwriters are good storytellers. So wherever the inspiration comes from, I try to make the lyrics vivid. If you close your eyes and listen to the lyrics, you can see it play out in your mind.
That said, it’d been quite a long while since the masses last heard from you — What all exactly had / have you been up to, both personally and professionally speaking, during your lengthy musical hiatus?
I moved back down south to be closer to my family, continued to work with Mariah and various projects and focused on other passions. I became a real estate agent, and found that I enjoy helping people realize the dream of building generational wealth.
On a more serious note, are you happy with the current state of R&B?
There’s always good music out there. If anything, I wish it wasn’t so hard to find.
What do you feel has and will continue to be the key to your longevity?
I can only pray that my love of music will continue to resonate with someone, and that my passion comes through and makes people feel good.
To date, what has been your biggest career moment?
Most would say making history with Mariah when “I’ll Be There” became the eighth song in history to go to #1 by 2 different artists.
Looking ahead, say five or maybe even ten years from now, where do you see yourself?
The saying is: we plan and God laughs! But if I had my way, I’ll be living in a place with warm weather, a pool and no political foolishness.
As for the immediate, what’s next for you, Trey?
Touring the world, and making people dance!
