IN THE NEWS:
Gallery: Rhythm and Soul
By Daily Bruin Staff
Jan. 28, 2016 6:00 a.m.
Pree is a second-year theater student who released his latest mixtape “Here&Now,” a compilation of poetry set to R&B tunes composed on Pree's keyboard, on Jan. 1. His hometown church choir in Washington, D.C., is also currently recording two of his gospel compositions, "First, Then, and Now" and "Praise Him."
(Efren Piñon/Daily Bruin)
Paula Pree could never tell what inspired her grandson – maybe it was something the pastor said, or maybe it was some tune that got stuck in his head again. But whenever inspiration struck, even if it was during a sermon, she had to be prepared with a piece of scrap paper, a pen and a stern admonishment to make him at least pretend to pay attention.
(Efren Piñon/Daily Bruin)
The church gave Pree the stage he said he always wanted: the space to create poetry and to hone what he calls his soulful voice, used to sing his poetry with power.
(Efren Piñon/Daily Bruin)
"Everything happens for a reason, and I believe in speaking things into existence," Pree said.
(Efren Piñon/Daily Bruin)
Pree left his life in Washington, D.C., and Wesley United Methodist Church behind in 2014 to pursue a newer dream of acting.
(Efren Piñon/Daily Bruin)
But at UCLA, Pree found composing and recording new music difficult. He juggled the sporadic thoughts of melodies and lyrics with rehearsals and coursework for his acting studies at the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television.
(Efren Piñon/Daily Bruin)
He would be walking to class, talking to friends or trying to do his homework when a tune would tangle itself around his thoughts. "Whenever I’m at home, there’s a lot times where I’m not doing what I’m supposed to be doing – I won’t be doing work, I’ll be doing music," Pree said.
(Efren Piñon/Daily Bruin)
Pree also missed his tiny childhood bedroom, a quiet space he used to hide himself away and freely express his emotions and vulnerability. When singing in his Midvale Avenue apartment, he knows his roommates can hear him, so he feels awkward and less encouraged to express how he feels.
(Efren Piñon/Daily Bruin)
"The goal that I made (in my first) year is that by the end of (my third) year almost everybody on campus must know who I am," Pree said. "I got some work to do."
