Star of the Apprentice is doing Tre-mendously well
By Sarah Tetteh
He’s the star of The Apprentice, who has topped the charts with his dancefloor anthems around the world.
Here, Londoner Tre Lowe opens up about his incredible journey, what it’s like being on the hit BBC show with his idol Lord Sugar, and how he overcame immense personal tragedy with the heart-breaking loss of his brother and Architects bandmate Ashley, to reach for his dreams.
He told the South London Press: “For me, everything I do is about inspiring young people. When I went onto the Apprentice I wanted to create a legacy at the same time. It’s easy for people to interpret that as pompous but it isn’t that. I believe our own greatness comes from making a difference and from service.
“More so after everything I’ve been through in life, culminating with the death of my brother in 2020, I think legacy is everything. That’s why I think inspiring young people is everything. I’m 49, I don’t have the rest of time to make a difference, but young people do. The difference we make is what I want to pass on to the next generation. That is resilience, and a sense that anything they put their mind to, they can do. “
Tre gave South London Press extraordinary insight about how he got on the show, what frustrates him, and what he loves about it.
He said: “The process of getting onto the show is one of the toughest things I’ve done in my life. It’s the most rigorous process you can go through. It’s funny. 50-60,000 people apply, so getting into the final 18 shows there is something about you. Yes there’s entertainment value to the show, but this year they have gone all out to get competent people.
“It was so competitive which I relish, obviously being of Nigerian heritage, we relish competition. We are brought up with a massive dose of education and winning in life. That set me up to be on the show. Being on the show is highly challenging because there are very capable people. To be honest I absolutely love it. I actually find it easy in many ways, because it’s so me. I love learning, competing and giving my all.
“I do see why we lost two boys in the first few episodes. The difference between the boys and the girls was like night and day. These girls were lining up to attack, ready to go and smash it, whereas there were elements of the boys that were jokey, banter, and fun. I don’t mind, but when you are trying to compete, it’s a bit frustrating. I just wanted to sell. I wanted to double the price and go absolutely all out.
“It’s great though, there are so many women and people of colour doing there thing, and we need this diversity in business.”
Tre spoke of how highs and lows in his life have shape him. The star, who wed his stunning wife, entrepreneur Enas, last year, said: “My incredible wife Enas, without her on the outside holding things down , encouraging me, I couldn’t have gone on it. Lord Sugar is one of my absolute biggest inspirations.
“I think I’m one of the oldest candidate to go on the show. The lows in my life were some of the big motivations for me. Obviously losing my brother has been one of the biggest things in my life for the last few years. I had a routine where every morning I’d go outside in the garden with my cup of tea, and speak to him. My brother Ashley, he personifies what I mean by creating a legacy.
“Obviously, me and him, we are The Architects. We made the Boy Is Mine, the Whitney remix, Body Groove, Show me the money and a bag of remixes. What I love about what we have done, is even though my brother is not here, his legacy is still here. Everytime I hear Body Groove I hear his voice, that’s why I’m so passionate about people creating a legacy that reverberates through time. It might be by having kids, could be anything, but really think about what you want to leave behind.
“My brother was a big part of my success of being on the show. I took the low of what I went through with his death, and promised myself I would celebrate his legacy. So that’s been my motivation, it’s so powerful, it can’t be stopped. I’ve just released the last track we did together, Running on The Spot, Architechs X Crystal King feat Lil Probz. So my message is I’d rather people put themself out there. Be willing to fail, and pick yourself up and learn fast, than have regrets later on in life. So that’s my reason, apart from wanting that £250,000 from Lord Sugar, and having him, by business hero as a business partner. I mean, the sky is the limit. So be resilient, God only gives his hardest things to his strongest soldiers, and I’m a firm believer of that.
“Whatever you believe in, know that you are strong enough to surmount any challenges that come your way. Always go for your dreams, and give it 110 per cent.”
Pictured top: Tre Lowe (Picture: Tre Lowe)