Tress

Tress AKA Andre Alfonso, a filipino who was born & raised in Calgary, Alberta. An MC who has been rapping for over a decade. Unlike his gun-toting, prison bragging, mainstream counterparts, he desires to walk away from gangster romances and propping up street violence as elementary to hip hop: "(Violence) is too open. It's wrecking hip hop...I wanna walk away from things with a good head on my shoulders." He May be covered in tattoos and pictured flashing the 403 hand sign like some Vato...

Tress AKA Andre Alfonso, a filipino who was born & raised in Calgary, Alberta. An MC who has been rapping for over a decade. Unlike his gun-toting, prison bragging, mainstream counterparts, he desires to walk away from gangster romances and propping up street violence as elementary to hip hop: "(Violence) is too open. It's wrecking hip hop...I wanna walk away from things with a good head on my shoulders." He May be covered in tattoos and pictured flashing the 403 hand sign like some Vato from East Locos with a death wish of going down pistols blaring, bloody crucifix hanging from his kneck and all. However, the impression you get of him is one of class and pride in familia: "I like to keep it real, mention my wife and daughters in my music...I have a broader aspect on life and where I should be." At first listen, you notice a steady lyrical flow never short of wise cracking punch (check out 403). Tress spits with such desperation, his larynx sounds like it's held together by the tar and fiberglass found in cigarettes. In 'Real' he shares his out look on fake MC's driving pretty rimmed cars and trash talkers comes through with a genuine desire to see hip hop reformed, with a message of substance. It's obvious that Tress' blue collar instincts keep him in check and highly critical of current manifestations of idolatry in hip hop culture. Article by Randy Cruz, Mabuhay Calgary