TREY SONGZ

Trey Songz wants to ride momentum with new album

Singer Trey Songz, whose star rose this past year with the R&B chart-topping smash "I Invented Sex" and other hits, says he wants to continue building on his momentum with new material.

Songz is gearing up to release his new album "Passion, Pain and Pleasure" on Sept. 14. But until his release, he'll introduce some of the new album's songs during his upcoming concert tour, which kicks off Friday.

"It was something missing for me. I needed something more," Songz said in a recent interview. "No matter how much you love the songs. I need something new."

Four of his songs, including "Say Aah" and "Neighbors Know My Name," reached the top 10 on Billboard's R&B/Hip-Hop singles chart. His gold-selling album "Ready," which was released last year, helped him win BET's best male R&B artist this year.

But the 25-year-old Songz says he needs to produce more than one successful album to be considered in the same class as his idols — singers R. Kelly and Usher.

"This is a competition," he said. "No matter how much I look up to Usher and R. Kelly, it's something we all want to be the best at. But I can't control what they do. I have to outdo me."

Singer Keri Hilson isn't worried about Songz being just a "one-CD hit wonder," because of his strong vocal ability paired with his physical appeal to his increasing female fan base.

"He won women's hearts," Hilson said. "His music has always been great. But people are more aware of him now because of his sex appeal. That will help him move forward."

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