We recently had the chance to connect with Tre14 and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Tre14, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
I think we are in a time now where if people see someone doing good, they almost begin to question themselves and their own accomplishments. We have to understand that we are all in different places in life and not everything will happen for you exactly when you want it to. I feel like things begin to turn into competition instead of using that as motivation. I think we have to use those things as energy to fuel what you’re trying to accomplish instead of hating or wondering why it’s not you in those positions. We all want success and there’s enough time for us all. We can lose focus or be concerned about the timeline of others. Stay the course and put the work in and you’ll reach where you want to get to.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Tre14. I am an artist and producer. I’m also an audio engineer. I started releasing my own music close to when I started high school. The passion started in elementary school when I joined the band. I played the trumpet and saxophone. Things really started from there and the obsession for music just grew. I love making music, working on music, listening to music. Anything that involves music is usually an interest of mine. I feel like that’s what started my interest in creating music. Then I began to actually make beats and record my vocals. I even started mixing my own vocals. At that time, I honestly thought it was normal to work on your own stuff, so I never looked for anyone to do it for me. I knew what I wanted to sound like so why not do it for myself. There’s not a lot of people out there who have the time or resources to do all of those things themselves. So that already makes me unique. Everything that comes from Tre14 is all in house. My brand STVYTR3 is more so the business of what I do. Under that umbrella is the producer/engineer part of my music. I hand-craft every beat and I mix and master songs myself. So, if you ever see the name STYVTR3, just know that Tre14 is behind it. The visual aspect of my artistry comes from my brother. He created his brand “4THEMADNESS”, which is the driving force of all my art and videos. You’ll be seeing a lot of him and his brand going forward. “4TheMadness” is a huge part of everything you see when it comes to anything on the visual side of our music. I am currently working on my next album which is almost finished. I’ll be announcing that after this next single drops. That song will be called PASSION. I’m really excited to get back into a consistent flow of dropping music and visuals so I’m fully locked in.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who saw you clearly before you could see yourself?
Man, honestly, I feel like it was my parents. That may be the typical answer but that’s honestly how I feel. They both gave me different perspectives on life and how to go about things at a very young age. No matter what it was, they always supported me. I’m also the oldest of 3, so I had different responsibilities within the family than my brothers. So that put me into a different role but still kept me in a good space. Once I jumped into music, they were fully supportive. My dad gave me the confidence to really let loose and dive into music all the way. Music is a passion of his also. So, once he could see that I had a passion for it, he really tried to help me develop. He also pushed me to be the best I can be at this. My parents always would tell me how clever I was at coming up with things to say or how I put together melodies and songs. A talent I didn’t realize I had until later in life when I would come across another artist. I just thought it was normal until I saw that it wasn’t. My parents really were how I tested a lot of my music and were my first real audience so that will always play a big part for me.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I think early in life I always cared too much about what other people thought of me. The fear of being called lame or corny. The fear of being rejected for liking something that may not be seen as “cool”. I think as kids we all just want friends and to be accepted, so sometimes I would worry too much about pleasing others just so I could fit in. There was an even bigger fear of rejection when I started to release music. I was so caught up in trying to impress or make stuff for people who I wanted acknowledgement from. Over time I learned that you should make what you like. You don’t want to sound like everybody else anyways so why try to go that route. That’s what makes your art unique. Do what you like and let the other like-minded people find you. Stand out in a crowd full of people doing the same thing. Especially if you don’t feel like what they’re doing is for you. I’m not saying I’m doing something super crazy or trying to be super experimental, but I want my music to sound different from what you would normally hear. Whether it be the beat or subject matter, I need my stuff to sound different.
I think our readers would appreciate hearing more about your values and what you think matters in life and career, etc. So our next question is along those lines. Is the public version of you the real you?
100%. I feel like anybody that knows me, knows this is true. I’m never not being me. I’m usually reserved and quiet until I get comfortable, but I feel like that’s how a lot of people are. Once I’m comfortable, I feel like people can really get to see how I am but I’m never trying to be something I’m not. You have to be comfortable being you and that’s the only way to have control and freedom in life. Of course, with me being a musician and artist, I’m passionate about what I create. So sometimes that comes out while performing or just even when I’m creating something, but that’s just the rawest version of myself being let out honestly. I made sure as I got older to never let what someone else thought of me determine what I wanted to do or how I should present myself. Especially when it comes to my music. What you see or hear in my music or social media is exactly what you’ll see or hear at any given time. I’m always me and I can’t turn it off. It can be amplified when the lights are on, but you’ll know I’m never outside of who I truly am.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. Could you give everything your best, even if no one ever praised you for it?
Of course. I’ve learned not everything I do needs acknowledgement or praise. Sometimes we have to do things because it’s just the right thing to do. I do believe in karma and treating people how you want to be treated and what you put out is what you get back. Lessons my family taught me as a kid. I’ve worked on music or different projects in life just because I loved to do them, not because I was looking for something out of it. I’d rather find things to do that I love doing instead of looking to do things for validation. Of course, it’s nice to be recognized but that shouldn’t be the reason why you do what you do. I feel like finding that thing in life you could do all day every day for free is truly finding joy in life. Getting paid to do it is just a bonus and a blessing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/Tre14?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=b6d523aa-e13c-4b22-8394-e88d62748484
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_tr314/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://x.com/_tr314
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCY3L3OBpsBSnhW79QUGDqRg?si=x7oLbOtx543zVC38
- Other: https://youtube.com/@4themadness?si=sG4gWxK-9BVgRHr3
Image Credits
4THEMADNESS
