According to Trey Lane’s Facebook page, Sioux Falls, SD may not be famed for its hip-hop credentials, but as sure as your eyes are reading these words; a change is on the way. And that change is Trey Lane.

Born in Long Beach, California, Lane has built his reputation and respect from day one, through his steadfast work ethic and willingness to take on the hip-hop world. In his own words, this MC is “always on my hustle, always on my grind…an artist who’s in it to win when all others seem content just to mimic.”

Trey describes his music as “first class hip-hop for a first class movement.” Taking a rest in between hyping up for his opening slot on in the Hostile Takeover 2012 Tour on May 25 at The Ramkota Exhibit Hall in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Trey gives us an inside look at what he’s about to prepare for.

How long have you been a musician, what kind of music do you perform, and what type of audience are you hoping to reach?

I’ve always been a writer. I’ve always recorded songs, but I’ve been actively pursuing music as a career for six years. I am a hip hop artist. It’s hard to place my music into a specific version of hip hop, but I live and breathe for the culture, and I believe that shows in my music. I’m from the Midwest, so I feel my music is well rounded. You can ask ten different people who are fans of my music and they will give you ten different reasons for why they enjoy what I do on a record as well as on stage. As far as reaching people, that’s the goal in general. I want to reach as many different fans of music as possible that can relate with me. If it’s an 80-year-old Trey Lane fan out there, I want to know that they relate to me because of something that I’ve stated on a track. If there is a young kid out there struggling with life, I want them to throw on a track of mine and understand that he can get through this. Hell, if a woman wants to hit the club and dance, I want to be the music she is moving to. It’s about the people. I do this because I love it.

Have you played at any other venues, or have you opened for any other artists before?

Yes. One of my primary goals is to reach the people. Much like Strange Music and Tech N9ne, you have to trail-blaze your path if you would like to be long lasting in this industry. I’ve booked do-it-yourself tours across the Midwest, East Coast, and a few dates on the West Coast. I’ve toured with Young Jeezy, Joell Ortiz and other artist. I’ve opened up for artists from Flo Rida, Young Buck, The Game to David Banner and others.

Is Tech and the Strange Music crew the largest emcees you’ve opened up for thus far?

Tech is the biggest independent hip hop artist in the world. I don’t think there is any doubting that. The funny thing about opening for Tech is that, about four years ago, Tech was playing in Brookings, SD, with Paul Wall. I had no idea how to get in contact with management or promoters for the tour. I had gotten to the venue early, and I saw that there was a meet and greet going on for one of the radio stations with Tech. So, I got the idea to give each of these ten kids my CD and give them to Tech when they met him. Not 100-percent sure if he listened to a track or not, but, needless to say, I’ve played every Tech N9ne show in South Dakota since then. I guess you could say real recognize real.

As an opener do you feel the pressure to step up your stage performance?

Stage performance is always important, but when you are rocking a Strange Music crowd, it’s a different experience. They are real. A lot of Strange Music fans live and breathe for Tech, so being the tone setter for the night is always important. When V The Noble One, myself and DJ Severe hit the stage, it’s time to do what we do best and that’s rock a stage. I’ve seen and heard stories about fans booing cats from the stage, seen many artists that I respect get booed off stage by Strange Music fans, so I know that when we hit the stage it’s best efforts times ten.

What do you have in store for your performance that night?

I put on a live show. Flame On puts on a live show, so there is no question that we will bring the heat. I’m excited. It’s the night before my birthday so we are going to treat it as a big ass celebration and we will show out for the city.

What kind of expectations do you have for the Hostile Takeover Tour?

Expectations are always that the Strange Music crew will put on hell of a show. I’ve rocked shows with Stevie Stone while he was on his tours prior to signing with Strange Music. ¡MAYDAY! is pure talent. Prozak kills it. I’ve never seen MGK, but I know he is a wild boy and puts a high-energy show. Krizz and Tech always put together a great stage show and high energy. I expect everyone to put on the show of their lives.

Be sure to catch Trey Lane along with Tech and all the Strange Music crew for the Hostile Takeover 2012 Tour at the Ramkota Exhibit Hall on May 25th.

Click here to purchase VIP Packages for the Hostile Takeover 2012 Tour.

Like Trey Lane on Facebook and follow him on Twitter (@treylanemusic)

Click here to visit Trey Lane’s homepage.

– Callie Brown, Strange Music Blog Contributor @idontlikethings