In an age where the female emcee (MC) has become an almost near extinct component of hip hop culture, there is one who is determined to change the landscape of this male dominated industry. Enter in the crown jewel of Greensboro, North Carolina, TreZure, who is more than prepared to make an impact and become a voice to be reckoned with.
TreZure has long been a staple of underground hip hop in North Carolina. As a member of the Nightbreed Family, The Dominion, and Forbidden Language, she has always been associated with the highest level of emcees throughout North Carolina.
TreZure has released two acclaimed underground releases through her own record label, “The Love Child” EP and her own full length 2004 classic, “The Trinity Album: Truth, Love, and Consequences.” TreZure states, “I’m really proud of those releases. It really set a foundation for me and my music and people respected my talent. Today, in my opinion, the Trinity Album still stands as one of the best hip hop albums composed and very reflective of my life at the time.” She has sold albums overseas and even appeared on a hip hop compilation album “Atlantic Connection All Stars” produced by French DJ Clutch Player.
In 2005, TreZure took a self imposed hiatus from music. “Life was changing around me and I couldn’t focus on music like I had before. At the same time the sound of hip-hop was changing and I wasn’t sure how I could fit in at that time. I’m not a lean, rock, snap type of artist so I really lost my identity in a way” TreZure admits. In 2007, she was approached to host a new television show that highlighted underground hip hop artists throughout North Carolina. And in the summer she began work on “The Pavement” executive produced by Doc Sinn. “By hitting the scene and immersing myself in the culture again, it really got my name back out there and helped fuel my desire to return to hip hop. I loved being in front of the camera and it came really easy. I’m really proud of what the show accomplished and what it did to reintroduce me back to music.”
But that was then and this is now. Joining forces again with her brethren, Shef Seenya, of the tremendously talented URL, she is poised and positioned to make an impact as a member of the UpRite Lions crew. “Shef and I go way back. He is family to me. We’ll always be Forbidden Language, but we’re definitely ready to take the UpRite message and lifestyle to the forefront. Along with B-Star and Trice, we make a very formidable team. I’m excited about the future and what it holds for all of us.”
In her return, life has really found TreZure in a new spot. “I’m stronger as a person for the things I’ve been through these last 5 years, to include coming out as an openly gay artist. Hip hop has historically been very homophobic and I understand there are people who will be a little uncomfortable by my stance and my bluntness, but I really feel like I need to stay true to myself and who I am. I went through many changes to get to this point and this journey of self discovery will ultimately come out in my music. I want to make an impact and let people know it is ok to be who they are, because for so long I didn’t live that way. If I can help someone by simply telling my story, then all the verbal abuse and condemnation I receive will be worth it.”
Now she has returned and has taken 2010 to explode back into the hip-hop scene and leave audiences in shock by the power of her flow and her presence. She has several highly anticipated new projects on the way to include her first full length studio album in 6 years titled "Emancipated: Lessons in Life and Love". The video promotion for her single "Gimme A Moment" off her brand new free mixtape will drop in December 2010. She recently joined forces with R & B recording artist Blake, and formed the record label Grip The Mic™. From this new venture, several television, web, and music projects will emerge. “I definitely feel like I’ve been given a fresh start and a second chance to pursue all my dreams. I couldn’t have been the artist I am today, 5 years ago. This is definitely the time for me. I feel a responsibility to the music now and a profound appreciation for the craft,” TreZure states.
Currently you can find her performing in clubs and venues throughout North Carolina creating a massive buzz and building fans one by one. She is presently devising her tour schedule for 2011 that will include national and international destinations. Right now you can find her alongside the UpRite Lions crew and is featured on their “Lions Will Never Die” Mixtape. Her follow up album “Emancipated” will release in the first quarter of 2011.
Given this fierce determination to stay true to herself and her undeniable talent, TreZure is now on the brink of the stardom she has always envisioned for herself. “I’ve accomplished a lot. I’ve worked with and rocked beside some great people so far. But this truly is the tip of the iceberg for me and the UpRite family. We have our own lane and I’m ready for everybody to be as familiar with what we do as North Carolina does,” she asserts.
So in an age where the female MC has long been disregarded, overlooked, or poorly marketed, TreZure is ready to step up to the challenge and help usher in a new generation of ladies who want you to look past their gender and to respect them simply as MC’s they are.
