R&B Artist Tre Williams Speaks His Street Gospel to AC

There are millions of people, men and women, who wish to be in Tre Williams' place. Compared to several others, his background sounds more of a rapper's lifestyle.

From growing up in the mean streets of Daytona Beach to being shot, the newest R&B star was recently signed to rap phenomenon Nas' label, Ill Will Records. Williams has already made a name for himself in the music industry by releasing his own mixtape, Street Gospel, which has been selling in high volumes.

Tre Williams speaks candidly about his love for the music game, how he got involved with Nas and what listeners should expect from his first album.

You have had a very interesting past. How do you feel your background has influenced who you are today?
You can gain a lot of strength and knowledge from being poor and going through all of the hardships that I've seen and been through. That lets me know where I want to be and the type of life that I want to give my family. Even though I made it through, I don't want my kids to know the feeling of struggling. I've done it for them.

How long have you been singing?
I've been singing truly from the age of 4 yrs old. My family is heavy in the church and my mother would take us to choir rehearsal. While my bothers and sisters were playing, I was listening and understanding, that at a young age this is what I wanted to do, "sing". So momma put me in the youth choir and at 5 yrs old I was the leader. True story right there.

What made you decide to go professional?
Poverty. (ha ha ha) Being broke will make you reach down inside and find whatever it is you do best and go for the gold. For me this is what it was. It's not often that we get a chance to make a good living doing something that we love to do; God has blessed me with that opportunity.