Trey Lewis, a.k.a. Trey the Stunna, is a fifth-year senior from Cave Spring, VA, majoring in screen studies with a minor in psychology. A first-born Jamaican immigrant, he is an alumnus member of the Pi Lambda Phi fraternity and is active in the Black Student Alliance, writing, and film clubs. Trey has applied what he’s learned in his major through his participation in the Tarantino Film Festival for the past two years, with his acting in ‘Smashing a TV to Save Your Best Friend’ winning over the crowd to win the festival’s Audience Choice Award. “Yeah, that was the first film I was a part of, and I was also a creative lead with my director. It was very motivational to see that there are other students who actually want to come together and make films […] at this small college. It’s something that creates a community, and I wanted to be a part of that community as well. So when I had the opportunity last year to make my own film, I was like, ‘How can I stand out for a first film?’ So I did like a music-esque type of film, and it was something I’ve never done before. It was definitely a good experience.”
If you don’t know Trey for his screen performances, then you probably know him for his music under the stage name Trey the Stunna. Since his sophomore year of high school, Trey has loved mixing poetry and beats. “Like most people hear it, I see it, so if I see something, I put it together. […] So one day, my friend asked for a feature. And I was like, ‘Sure. ’ And by then, my first name was New AP, because it was a watch. Then I was like, What am I? And if there’s one thing, I stun.” So, inspired by his favorite artist, Tyler, the Creator, New AP became Trey the Stunna. “Music has honestly been one of the best hobbies turned passions within the past few years. Truly, it wasn’t until this past year that I had to look at it for what it is. Like, what am I adding to the space? I’m making this music for who exactly? So, you know, with a loss in the family, it gave me motivation to evaluate how I can make my music more impactful for people, especially people my age, and people who find music as an escape. Now, I have new music coming forward, my first debut project next year, when I’m lost, music is my escape. I want this to be a showcase of my authentic nature. And having the opportunity to perform in Cav has been a good experience. I get to test out the sounds and see what people like and don’t like, so I get to tweak it. It’s a good way to build myself over time.”
For some fun Trey facts, his favorite artists are Lady GaGa, Tyler, the Creator, and Kanye West, because of their ingenious ability to create art authentically through many different facets of production. He is a very on-the-spot type of person, someone who thrives when they improvise. Trey is also a self-claimed yapper; he will take the simplest thing and find a much more complex way of talking about it. “I want someone to leave with some type of happiness after we have a conversation.”
Trey’s plan for after graduation is to travel, to see the world. “I think [the ability to see] is one of the most beautiful things”. For the ending moment of gratefulness, Trey would like to thank “the ones who know. Everyone, good or bad, has impacted my journey, and I thank them for that, especially the haters. Shout out to my mom because without her, I wouldn’t be in this position right now.”
Juniper Rogers
Folk at ‘Noke Editor
