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Trey XL the game changer

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TREY XL (born Trevor Matsvairo) has been carving his own niche on the local urban music scene with his blend of hip hop and R&B.

TREY XL (born Trevor Matsvairo) has been carving his own niche on the local urban music scene with his blend of hip hop and R&B.

TINASHE SIBANDA ENTERTAINMENT REPORTER

The musician has been doing well since his arrival on the scene in 2011 when he released two mix tapes titled Just Before and Unplugged.

Trey’s inspiration is driven by extraordinary achievement stories like those of Zimbabwean Olympian Elliot Mujaji and blind American singer Stevie Wonder.

“As one in the local music industry, I believe that we are growing and such expansion always benefits not only the artiste, but the nation as a whole,” he said.

The success of his EP Fresh President earned him notable rotation on radio stations in Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi.

Last year Trey XL’s follow-up single Vanquish was selected as Castle Extra Cold Freshest Hip Hop Sound in Southern Africa and Legend hitmaker producer Timberlands Stone Cold Music.

Trey XL also got the attention of Tanzanian superstar Cyril Kamikaze and his track was featured on the chart-smashing Alowa.

The two artistes are also busy in the studio working on a joint album.

“It was an honour to be allowed the opportunity to perform with an acclaimed musician from another country. Such an experience is always interesting and enlightening as well,” Trey XL said.

Trey XL has also started his own record Label Nu Skool which is dominantly R&B and hip hop-oriented.

Among his collaborations is Ndidzorere Moyo Wangu done with All-Africa Music Awards (Afrima) winner for best female artiste for 2014/2015 Cindy Munyavi.

In 2014, he collaborated with Zimbabwe’s Afropop group, Magen’a (Zima nominees in 2014) as he was working on his debut album Mind Over Matter M.O.M.

Collaborations included talented artistes like Cherish Bryce, Lindiwe Bungane, Crooger, Cindy Munyavi, Nyasha Timbe, Nora from Zambia, Malawi’s top artiste Dan Lufani on the track Superstar, and Varaidzo.

“Trey XL is also featured on Trevor Dongo album and also Leonard Mapfumo’s hit song Chitititi.

“All this great work has earned Trey XL a nomination for Best Hip Hop Artiste Zimbabwe Music Awards (Zima),” founder of Bryce Nation, Elton Bryce, said.

Raised by parents who believed in the power of music to heal, inspire and change the world, it was inevitable that the Harare-born Trey XL’s love for music would mature into a career.

Trey XL got a recording deal from Bryce Nation after a Zimbabwean hip hop promoter passed his mix tape to Bryce Nation creating a powerful force on the local music scene.

The 24-year-old rapper/producer has set his sights on conquering the African and global scene.

Trey XL is already proving to be a game changer for Zim hip hop and a flagship sound into the African music hip hop game.

“Apart from music, I am a chef and I want to get even bigger. I am working towards that besides,of course, building my own empire musically and paving way for a new generation to come,” he said.