Tresor (musician)

TRESOR was born on the 24th of April 1987 in Goma, Democratic Republic of the Congo. He is one of eight siblings. Orphaned at the age of seventeen, he left his home in 2007 after completing high school. He listened to music from musicians such as Hugh Masekela, Papa Wemba and Miriam Makeba. His love for music grew and when he was frequently taken to child care centers he began playing instruments. Later on, both of his parents died due to illness and he decided to pursue his musical dream. After months of travelling, he settled in Durban, South Africa, where he worked as a car guard by day and a security guard by night to make ends meet. In that time, he began working his way into Durban's local scene, performing as a session musician with various musicians.{{cite web|url=https://www.news24.com/news24/Video/Entertainment/Music/From-car-guard-to-iTunes-chart-topping-artist-Tresors-incredible-story-20150728|title=From car guard to iTunes chart topping artist, this is Tresor's incredible story|work=News24|access-date=12 April 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/tresor-from-drc-to-durban-to-zahara-1727900|title=Tresor: From DRC to Durban to Zahara|work=iol.co.za|access-date=13 April 2021}}

In June 2015, he got signed to Sony Music. As part of his major label debut, he released the single "Never Let Me Go", which was co-written and co-produced by Matthew Field from Beatenberg.{{cite web|url=http://www.mtvbase.com/news/sony-music-africa-signs-tresor/01zs4l|title=SONY MUSIC AFRICA SIGNS TRESOR|work=mtvbase.com|access-date=12 April 2021}} The song was certified 5× platinum by the Recording industry of South Africa (RiSA).{{cite web|title=TRESOR's Hit Song, 'Never Let Me Go' Certified 5× Platinum » Ubetoo|url=https://www.ubetoo.com/news/tresors-hit-song-never-let-me-go-certified-5x-platinum/|work=Ubetoo|date=14 August 2021|first=John|last=Jabulani}} He released his debut album, VII in September 2015. The album had taken him seven years to compose, it featured collaborations from musicians such as AKA, Beatenberg, Khuli Chana and The Soil.{{cite web|url=https://www.news24.com/channel/exclusive-everything-you-need-to-know-about-tresors-new-album-20150821|title=EXCLUSIVE: Everything you need to know about TRESOR's new album|work=News24|access-date=12 April 2021}} The album achieved mainstream success and charted #1 dance hit record in Italy for the singles "Mount Everest" and "Never Let Me Go". The single "Mount Everest" (Freddy Verano Remix) reached #1 on the Shazam trending Global Chart in 2016. The singles were released by Sony Music and Ultra Music in the US and Warner Music in some parts of Europe.{{cite web|url=https://www.pressreader.com/south-africa/the-citizen-gauteng/20160907/281629599714776|title=Tresor's song No 1 in iTaly|via=PressReader|access-date=14 April 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.youthvillage.co.za/2016/09/tresors-song-never-let-me-go-takes-the-no-1-spot-in-italy/|title=Tresor's Song "Never let Me Go" Takes The No.1 Spot In Italy|work=youthvillage.co.za|access-date=14 April 2021}} The album won Best pop album at the 22nd South African Music Awards and was also one of the most nominated albums.{{cite web|url=https://www.news24.com/drum/News/four-sama-nominations-for-tresor-20170728|title=Four Sama nominations for Tresor|work=News24|access-date=12 April 2021}} He was also nominated at the 2016 MTV Africa Music Awards for Best pop/alternative artist.{{cite web|url=https://www.news24.com/channel/the-juice/news/mama-2016-nominees-cassper-nyovest-aka-lead-the-pack-20160922|title=MAMA 2016 nominees: Cassper Nyovest, AKA lead the pack|work=News24|access-date=12 April 2021}}

In 2016, he was invited by British Grammy Award winning musician Seal to join his South African tour the week after his SAMA win. They toured together in Johannesburg, Durban and Cape Town.{{cite web|url= https://citizen.co.za/lifestyle/entertainment/1153725/tresor-to-open-for-seal/ |title= Tresor to open for Seal |work= citizen.co.za |access-date=12 April 2021}} In April 2017, he signed a partnership with Universal Music under his company Jacquel Entertainment Group.{{cite web|url=https://www.gq.co.za/culture/entertainment/tresor-clinches-seven-figure-record-deal-with-universal-music-16560632|title=Tresor clinches seven figure record deal with Universal Music |work=gq.co.za|access-date=12 April 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://www.news24.com/channel/the-juice/news/tresors-jacquel-entertainment-group-partners-up-with-universal-music-africa-20171220|title=Tresor's Jacquel Entertainment Group partners up with Universal Music Africa|work=News24|access-date=13 April 2021}} He then released his sophomore album The Beautiful Madness in May 2017. The album won Best afro pop album at the 24th South African Music Awards four months after its release.{{cite web|url=https://www.heraldlive.co.za/lifestyle/leisure/2019-06-21-tresor-reflects-on-nostalgia/|title=Tresor reflects on 'Nostalgia'|work=heraldlive.co.za|access-date=12 April 2021}}

In 2019, he released his third album Nostalgia. The album won Best afro pop album at the 25th South African Music Awards in 2019.{{cite web|url=https://www.gq.co.za/culture/entertainment/all-the-winners-from-sama-awards-2019-24834973|title=All the winners from SAMA Awards 2019|work=gq.co.za|access-date=12 April 2021}} It featured musicians such as AKA, Kwesta, Lokua Kanza, Beatenberg, Mafikizolo, The Soil, Sauti Sol and Msaki.{{cite web|url=https://justnje.com/tresors-nostalgia-album-is-inspired-by-his-upbringing/|title=Tresor's Nostalgia album is inspired by his upbringing|work=Just Nje|access-date=12 April 2021}} Later that year, he released the single "Sondela" featuring singer Msaki, the single was nominated for record of the year at the 26th South African Music Awards.{{cite web|url=https://www.yomzansi.com/2020/07/16/here-are-the-nominees-for-sama26-2020/|title=Here are the nominees for SAMA26 (2020)|work=yomzansi.com|access-date=12 April 2021}} In June 2020, he announced the release of his fourth album Motion. The album features singles such as "Thril" and "Zwakala" which were already released at the time. The single "Zwakala" was sampled from Ray Phiri’s "Stimela".{{cite web|url=https://www.iol.co.za/the-star/news/tresors-new-project-motion-is-all-about-being-bold-49742437|title=Tresor's new project, Motion, is all about being bold|work=iol.co.za|access-date=12 April 2021}}{{cite web|url=https://gautenglifestylemag.co.za/tresor-announces-upcoming-album-motion-and-reveals-next-single-zwakala/|title=TRESOR ANNOUNCES UPCOMING ALBUM MOTION AND REVEALS NEXT SINGLE ZWAKALA|work=gautenglifestylemag.co.za|access-date=12 April 2021}}

In April 2021, he released his album Rumble In The Jungle, which featured South African amapiano producers Kabza De Small and DJ Maphorisa.{{cite web|url=https://www.iol.co.za/the-star/news/scorpion-kings-collaborate-with-tresor-to-take-amapiano-sound-to-the-world-bc6acf29-9686-481d-981e-10d8c9f98cab|title=Scorpion Kings collaborate with Tresor to take Amapiano sound to the world|work=iol.co.za|access-date=12 April 2021}} On September 3, 2021, he released the single "Light House" in collaboration with Da Capo and Sun-El Musician.{{cite web|title=Tresor - Lighthouse Ft. Sun-El Musician & Da Capo |work=Ubetoo|url=https://www.ubetoo.com/music/tresor-lighthouse-ft-sun-el-musician-da-capo/|date=2 September 2021|first =John|last = Jabulani}} The song entered Channel O Top 30 at number 15.{{cite web|title=The Channel O Top 30 {{!}} Season 1|url=https://www.dstv.com/channelo/en-za/show/the-channel-o-top-30|work=Dstv|access-date=2024-07-28}} Tresor contributed a cover of the Metallica song "Nothing Else Matters" to the charity tribute album The Metallica Blacklist, released in September 2021.{{Cite web|last=He|first=Richard S.|date=2021-09-10|title=Every Metallica Blacklist cover ranked from worst to best|url=https://www.loudersound.com/features/every-metallica-blacklist-cover-ranked-from-worst-to-best|access-date=2021-10-24|website=loudersound|language=en}} "Lighthouse" is the lead single off his highly anticipated fourth solo studio album, Motion, which was released on 15 October 2021.{{cite web|url= https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/sa-tresor-releases-lighthouse-ft-sun-el-musician-and-da-capo |title= Tresor releases Lighthouse ft. Sun-El Musician and Da Capo |work= musicinafrica.net |access-date=7 September 2021}} The album was nominated for best Afro pop album at the 28th South African Music Awards.{{cite web|title=South African Music Awards 28: Full list of nominees|url=https://www.jacarandafm.com/moremusicyoulove/south-african-music-awards-28-full-list-nominees/|date=| first=|last=|publisher=jacarandafm.com|access-date=2022-08-31}}

He also wrote and produced the single "Fountains" which featured Nigerian singer Tems from Drake’s 2021 album Certified Lover Boy.{{cite web|url= https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/music/local/tresor-honoured-to-feature-on-drakes-new-album-certified-lover-boy-237e908f-e6cd-40f1-a703-01972fbea9d1 |title=Tresor honoured to feature on Drake's new album 'Certified Lover Boy' |work=iol.co.za |access-date=7 September 2021}}

In April 2022, it was announced that Hunters partnered with TRESOR to establish Jacquel Culture House platform for upcoming artist.{{cite web|title=SA: Hunter's, Tresor partner to create platform for upcoming artists|date=2022-04-13|url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/sa-hunters-tresor-partner-create-platform-upcoming-artists| publisher=Music In Africa| access-date=2022-04-28|first=Ano|last=Shumba}}

In June 2022, he wrote and co-produced the singles "Currents", "Massive", "Flight’s Booked", "Overdrive", "Downhill" and "Tie That Binds" from Drake’s 2022 album Honestly, Nevermind.{{cite web|title=Tresor honoured to co-produce Drake's latest album|url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/lifestyle/celeb-news/tresor-honoured-to-co-produce-drakes-latest-album/amp/| work=thesouthafrican.com| access-date=18 June 2022}}

Following month, Tresor was enlisted on Billboard Hot 100 songwriters list at number 15.{{cite web|title=SA: Tresor makes Billboard’s Hot 100 Songwriters list|first= Butchie|last= Seroto |date=2022-07-08|url=https://www.musicinafrica.net/magazine/sa-tresor-makes-billboards-hot-100-songwriters-list|work=Music in Africa|access-date=2024-07-28}}

In January 2023, he co-wrote and produced the single "We Caa Done", which features Drake and Popcaan.{{cite web|title=Tresor once again collaborates with Drake on new Popcaan single, 'We Caa Done'|url=https://www.iol.co.za/entertainment/celebrity-news/local/tresor-once-again-collaborates-with-drake-on-new-popcaan-single-we-caa-done-143f3f01-5cc0-428b-992d-29496c5c50eb| work=iol.co.za| access-date=17 January 2023}}

Outside of his work as a musician, he is an ambassador of the Nelson Mandela Children Fund and also a United Refugee Agency ambassador advocating for refugees rights.{{cite web|url=https://www.news24.com/channel/the-juice/news/tresor-announced-as-un-ambassador-20171129|title=Tresor to work closely with the UN|work=news24.com|access-date=12 April 2021}}

TRESOR started his own record label and talent management company in 2010. He sought for an avenue to release his own music, as well helping in the nurturing of other artists. The label is currently distributed by Universal Music and houses artists such as Bonj and Batundi.

In April 2022, he launched Jacquel Culture House, a division of Jacquel Entertainment Group, which is a youth incubation and empowerment programme for upcoming South African artists.{{cite web|url=https://sundayworld.co.za/lifestyle/tresors-jacquel-culture-house-on-mission-to-groom-future-music-stars/|title=Tresor's Jacquel Culture House on mission to groom future music stars|work=sundayworld.co.za|access-date=20 June 2022}}

In November 2023, he launched his R100 million Jacquel Ventures Investment Firm. The firm is aimed at building and investing in luxury goods, real estate, consumer brands, entertainment, and technology-enabled companies. With the aim to be at the forefront of shaping the future of businesses that impact lives and shift culture in Africa and beyond.{{cite web|url=https://www.gq.co.za/culture/entertainment/tresors-r100-million-jacquel-ventures-investment-firm-built-on-grit-humility-and-wild-dreams-1fe85940-1086-4bb9-83e3-a850333e8ce2|title=TRESOR’s R100 million Jacquel Ventures investment firm built on grit, humility and wild dreams|work=gq.co.za|access-date=5 May 2024}}

In February 2024, TRESOR started with the plan to build his multi-million rand, luxury farm nicknamed "Goma". The property is set to consist of restaurants, an outdoor amphitheatre, a recording studio, an art and exhibition gallery, a designer boutique hotel and few venues for special events. The project marks his first investment under Jacquel Ventures and is set to be a 3-year long project where R30 million will be invested.{{cite web|url=https://www.iol.co.za/sunday-tribune/travel/tresor-forges-ahead-with-r30-million-state-of-the-art-luxury-farm-3b4f9cf8-41ce-40bf-b129-f5523e2e29a1|title=Tresor forges ahead with R30 million, state-of-the-art, luxury farm|work=iol.co.za|access-date=5 May 2024}}

• VII (2015)
• VII (Repack) (2016)
• The Beautiful Madness (2017)
• Nostalgia (2019)
• Rumble In The Jungle (2021)
• Motion (2021)

Drake – Certified Lover Boy

• 16. "Fountains" {{small|(featuring Tems)}}

Drake – Honestly, Nevermind

• 4. "Currents"
• 8. "Massive"
• 9. "Flights Booked"
• 10. "Overdrive"
• 11. "Down Hill"
• 12. "Tie That Binds"

Popcaan – Great Is He

• 1. "We Caa Done"

{{reflist}}

• {{official website|www.tresorofficial.com}}

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Category:Living people

Category:1987 births

Category:People from Goma

Category:21st-century Democratic Republic of the Congo male singers

Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo songwriters

Category:Democratic Republic of the Congo businesspeople

Category:French-language singers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo

Category:English-language singers of the Democratic Republic of the Congo