Tresor Hugo

We head to the state of Georgia for someone whose music I feel will become a part of the state's rich musical legacy. Tresor Hugo is one of those rappers who comes off as being influenced by some of the best in hip-hop's past, and what he wants to do is not to copy them, but to become a part of a special group of MC's who people will want to follow and emulate. According To My Flow (Bigger Dreams Entertainment) comes off as chapters from the secret diary of Tresor Hugo, someone who writes and rhymes with the kind of consistency that will impress anyone who has believed in the "hip-hop is dead" myth.

Let's talk about production first. Hip-hop seems to be in a crossroads between keeping the sample-happy people supporting them, and making tracks with keyboards, synthesizers, and sequences in order to avoid paying any sampling fees. Unfortunately, a lot of producers who are sample-based can't play music, and repeating two chords throughout a song doesn't make you a musician. On the other hand, Tresor Hugo produced all of his own tracks, and there's a lot of musicality in one track than most modern artists have in their entire discography. It's very professional, and covers a lot of ground, whether it's something that sounds like a late 70's slow jam, or something that Lil' Jon might even approve of. If this guy isn't in a bidding war yet, he should be.

He's capable of creating anthems for the clubs, and I'm not talking dance club "WAMP WAMP" tracks, but a song like "Now U Know" that could easily spark a riot or two. A song like "Explode!!!" has some hard rock guitar riffs running through it, which may have been done to crossover a bit, but it's done tastefully, not forced. In "Escape" he's talking about the riches that may come with determination, but he isn't afraid to turn the riches and bling off to describe a sense of inner peace he could achieve as well:

So I close my eyes and place my mind on the island
And ease, filled with breeze, so tropical
On the beach, feel the sand in my sandals
This is my manual of how I just escape it all

For a brief moment, it's not about the women in thongs with each ass cheek moving in a different direction, but it's about being able to do better for yourself because, as he says in the chorus, the world isn't going to stop for him.

The rest of the album is filled with a lot of vivid imagery about wanting better, deserving better, and him proving that in order for him to fulfill his dreams, he will need the support of family and friends, as well as fans. Tresor Hugo is the kind of guy you want to show support for, where the ego is always in check, and the writing and rhyming skills seem to be forever flowing. This is perhaps the reason why the album is called According To My Flow, this album is his heart and soul, with ambitions of rocking mics for a long time.

(You can find out more about Tresor Hugo by heading over to TresorHugo.com.) - John Book - Music for America http://www.musicforamerica.org/node/113153

JANUARY 29, 2007 (ATHENS, GA) – Saturday’s event at The Ritz in downtown Athens, GA was a colossal success. Hundreds of people gathered to celebrate the release of Tresor Hugo’s debut album titled “According to My Flow.” Tresor Hugo sold out the venue, packing in over 400 enthused party and concert-goers. Audience members hailed from as far as Memphis, TN and Pensacola, FL to experience this adrenaline-charged event. The night began with a round of dollar drinks, free pizza, and the smooth, turn-table stylings of DJ Set It Off (Gainesville, GA). A few minutes before the stroke of midnight, dynamic host Fort Knox (Tri-State Empire Management - Stone Mountain, GA) welcomed everyone to the event, thanked the sponsors (including KING B of Video Image Barbershops & Salons – Buford, GA), and introduced the first opening act – Sydystyk Vicious of Marietta, GA and the Rebel Lion Crew.

After Sydystyk blazed the stage with the heavy-hitting “Say So,” produced by Tresor Hugo, Athens’ own Son1 captivated the audience with his performance, featuring the Asian singing sensation Johnny Lee and producer Nobody Famous. Next up was Willie Joe of WataBoy Entertainment, representing Vallejo, CA to the fullest, followed by the soulful R&B singer/songwriter Ayanna of Elese Entertainment (Atlanta, GA).

At this point, the atmosphere of The Ritz was charged with so much energy and excitement that pandemonium erupted when Tresor Hugo hit the stage. He opened up with the NO MIXTAPE LIKE IT 2 favorite “The Batman,” directing the crowd to scream “H-to the-U-to the-G-to the-OHHH!” Hugo’s thirty-minute set also included new songs from the newly released NO MIXTAPE LIKE IT 3, and singles from the album, including “Explode,” “Good Times,” and “Fresh As I Wanna Be.” By the end of the night, Bigger Dreams sold out of the allotted stash of Tresor Hugo albums and the venue staff literally had to force people out.

Since the corner-stone of Bigger Dreams Entertainment and the Tresor Hugo franchise is giving, a portion of ticket proceeds will be donated to the March of Dimes on behalf of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, INC UGA Chapter. “I don’t want it to just be about me. Bigger Dreams and Tresor Hugo are about giving back, leaving a greater impact everywhere we go.” – Tresor Hugo

This spring, Tresor Hugo will be assembling a live band and gearing up to go on a college and overseas tour. Stay tuned to WWW.TRESORHUGO.COM & WWW.MYSPACE.COM/TRESORHUGO for upcoming tour and show dates, exclusive performance photos, and live video footage of the show. For the latest feedback and reviews of the debut album “According to My Flow,” be sure to check out Stomp & Stammer Magazine, Flagpole Magazine, www.musicforamerica.org/node/113153, and www.cdbaby.com/cd/tresorhugo.
- Press Release

NOVEMBER 14, 2006 (ATHENS, GA) – Tresor Hugo took a break from live performances this summer to complete and perfect his highly anticipated debut album. The album, titled ACCORDING TO MY FLOW, is the consummate evolution of his previous mixtape projects, including The Bridge, Primetime, and the No Mixtape Like It Series. Along with Hugo’s familiar up-tempo, hard-hitting, Hip-Hop/Rock records, ACCORDING TO MY FLOW also features a more mellow side of Hugo in songs like “Fly Girl” and “Good Times,” which exhibit Hugo’s superb story-telling skills.

So who is this album for? Well according to Hugo, “If you would want to smack your boss, quit your job, go home and make a booty call, while watching TV all day, and STILL make money, then you’ll love this album!” Overall, ACCORDING TO MY FLOW illustrates the struggle and triumph of the everyday person when faced with the challenge to reject the mold of conventional societal standards and embrace one’s own unique destiny (hence the album’s title with an emphasis on the word MY).

The album release party is set to take place at The Ritz, the premier 400-capacity music venue in the heart of downtown Athens, GA on Saturday, January 27, 2007 (visit www.theritzathens.com). The show starts at 9:00 pm and features a supreme opening line-up of Athens and Atlanta-based performers, including DJ Set It Off, Yancy and the Break-Neck Quartet, Life the Great, and Ayanna. This pandemic show will be hosted by Fort Knox, and tickets are just $12 at the door (advance tickets will be available online for $10).

Bigger Dreams Entertainment is taking a slightly different approach as far as marketing Tresor Hugo’s album release and upcoming tour. NO MIXTAPE LIKE IT 3 will be released and widely distributed throughout the holiday season, and features brand new songs, a teaser-sample of the album, and upcoming tour dates/in-store appearances. A series of intimate Listening Parties have been booked in the Athens and Metro-Atlanta areas where guests can preview the album and purchase advance tickets and copies of the album before it is officially released in January. Fans can also purchase the album online at www.myspace.com/tresorhugo and at www.cdbaby.com/cd/tresorhugo.

The album release party will kick off BDE’s Fruckin’ Freshness Tour 2007, which will make stops in California, Florida, Georgia, the Carolinas, Tennessee, and Virginia. For more information about listening parties, tour dates/in-sore appearances, stay tuned to WWW.TRESORHUGO.COM and WWW.MYSPACE.COM/TRESORHUGO.
- Press Release

I didn't get to see the full show of Tresor Hugo's "sold-out" performance at The Ritz in Athens but the parts I did see were absolutely phenomenal. His stage presence was electric and full of energy. The vibe was equal to that of an all out block party. It was good to finally see him (and crew) onstage doin' the damn thing. His album "According to My Flow" is like a hip-hop/jazzy/r&b//rock hybrid matched with some great verses and club-banger anthems. The best comparison of him would be that of early, vintage Jay-Z (when Jay was good :p) mixed with a bit of Lupe Fiasco. Hugo is on my list of artist's to watch out for in 2007 and the album is definitely worth picking up.

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