Trina: Dropping Singles
Again
The adage goes, “Sex sells,” and one of its biggest sales-women is Trina. The Dade County queen has been in the game and has dropped jaws since her appearance in Trick Daddy’s "Nann Nigga." Ever since 1999, Trina has been trying to remain constant and innovative in, not only her appearance, but her musical growth as well.
As the south has continued to concrete its foundation as one of the dominant superpowers in hip-hop, Trina’s new album Still Da Baddest looks like it’ll be her most innovative joint to date. Not only is the album a rebirth, but she has left her label – Atlantic for EMI.
HipHopDX talks with Trina – still “da baddest” one – as she talks about her happiest “Single Again” moment, spreads love for the newest members of Slip-N-Slide records and expresses how marketing can help more female emcees get out there in the game.
HipHopDX: Your name was in a lot of people’s mouths this year and your new album hasn’t even dropped yet. How does that feel?
Trina: [Laughs] I think that it’s great when people talk about me. It means that I worked extremely hard. Even without an album, my name stays in a circular motion, so I have to be doing something right for someone to talking.
DX: With the “baddest bitch” title – do you ever feel pressured to handle yourself in a certain way when confronted?
T: No, I’m always usually the same way – I’m normal. Being “that” – it definitely means that one has to be a strong character. I am a very strong woman and you have to stand up for yourself in certain situations. I’m very independent and focused on what I want. I don’t like to take no for an answer. I’m not worried about being approached by someone because people are usually respectful. I think it’s the type of person that I am and they see me as a character. But I’m very humble and still very sassy, yet very normal. I’m always laughing and they get intimidated by that. I think it’s just me being outspoken. So, you don’t really know the angle that you’re going to be presented with.
DX: What should your hardcore fans expect from your latest?
T: The fans should expect a lot of different things. I went into the studio with an open mind. I went in there wanting to do things my way. I did songs that have some Reggae, some Rock & Roll, some techno and all of it was different for me. I have the sexy, fly, aggressive, the party record… just a whole variation of records. It’s refreshing and new. I was trying different stuff. I know my fans are always looking for me to do the unexpected and on this album, I even sang on a record. Doing the techno song was a different type of thing all together. I had never done something like that before. I thought, “Wow.” It’s a whole different level of music for me to do that and love it, that’s different.
DX: What sort of changes have you noticed moving from Atlantic to EMI?
T: The change is different. Atlantic is a major and it’s a different company versus EMI – which is a smaller form of the label. Everything isn’t hands on, but I feel business-wise it was the best decision. It’s a little bit more work. At Atlantic, things are handled differently, but at EMI you have to do double the work. I’m used to that so it’s not a drastic change for me. It’s all still the same to me, it’s just more work that has to be done on mine and my team’s part.
DX: …And what changes have you noticed in your own life since making these new transitions?
T: I am still the same person and do mostly the same things, but I am transitioning into a different format. Your life changes when you do all these different things. I set a calendar that plans my everyday life and my album’s life. With music, everything kind of changes when you have a project to promote and plan, so you have to transition with that.
DX: You have the new joint, “Single Again.” People always try to get into your relationships, but what was one relationship where you were happy to be single again?
T: [Laughs] Wow, that’s a good question. I have had a past relationship where I felt that I wanted to be out of that situation so badly that once I was out I was relived. When I was out of it, I was happy that I was out it. When I looked back, it was definitely a growing process. I learned what I didn’t want to be in.
DX: When you started out, Miami wasn’t the place in Hip Hop that it is today. It wasn’t full of out-of-town rappers and celebrities. Are there any elements to your city that you miss?
T: Not really. My city is pretty great. It’s one of the best states. It has great weather and great food. I just feel really good to be a part of it. To come from that is a blessing and for others to come there to live is a great look. I never thought that I would move away from Miami.
DX: You and Trick are synonymous in Florida and the rumor of him leaving to go for G-Unit had people wondering if there was any tension between you and him?
T: No, not at all. We’re cool. Trick is Trick and he’s a great person. He has his ups and downs, but we’re friends and we’re always going to be like that.
DX: So, how has it been to watch Slip-N-Slide usher in a new class with Rick Ross and Plies?
T: It’s actually great. [Rick] Ross and I have been friends for a long time. He sat patiently and his dreams are coming true. I’m 100% proud of him and his work. The acts that have been signed to the label have been waiting, and it’s their time now. With that I’m really proud of both Rick Ross and Plies. I remember when Plies sat around patiently and he came out and put out a great record that got people to really think.
DX: You helped to build the label up. Do you ever feel pushed to the side?
T: I never felt that. I’m the only girl on the label, so I had a lot of benefits and had the upper hand. I’m like the prized possession of the label. So, it’s kind of a favorable position to be in.
DX: There are women who try to get into rap who follow your archetype of “sex sells.” Do you think that that impression empowers women or makes them become easily marketable sex objects?
T: I think that everything you do is about marketing. The new girl’s coming into the game should know that it’s not just about being sexy; it’s about you as a person. It’s about your will and your determination. It’s about how you perceive yourself and why should people look at you. What is your impact? So many girls out there have similarities to mines or Missy Elliott’s story, but you have to have your impact stand out. People want to have something to follow; something that they can relate to. You have to be an inspiration to others. You have to do whatever it is that you can do. I just think for any new artist that they should have their own movement.
DX: So, who are some ladies out there that you love?
T: Jackie-O is a very talented artist. I love Diamond and Princess. They’re doing their thing! They’re relevant to the school kids. I even like Rasheeda. She hasn’t been overexposed, yet. I like Chyna White. She’s still an incredible artist putting out that rugged music.
DX: When “The Baddest Bitch” dropped in 2000, it was one of the best years for album sales in Hip Hop. In the midst of the 50 Cent/Kanye West sales rivalry and with the Internet so prevalent, do you think that sales can ever get to that level again?
T: I don’t know. I hope so. [Laughs] That’ll be great for me and artists who come out. I just think that with everything going on with the bootlegging that it’s just so hard to sell albums. With them and their competition, it was actually about people wanting to buy a product. I thought it was a great plan and the way they marketed their plan was well. I just hope that people are aware and that they buy the album. We need that, we need the album sales and I think we need great marketing plans to make albums become a commodity again. That 50 vs. Kanye was you heard… everywhere! People were anticipating the albums dropping and that range of competition was insane. Those type of things help out in the long run.
DX: I know that this borders into going into your personal life, which I know you want to shy away from. But I have to ask you – what was your reaction when 50 Cent mentioned your name in “Fully Loaded Clip” like that?
T: I kind of laughed a little. I felt that 50 is just 50 and he does what he does. I didn’t look at him like, “Why would he say that?” It wasn’t a big thing where I felt like I was mad. He just called out my name. I know that the statement wasn’t true. I don’t think that there’s any need for retaliation. It’s not the first time
HipHopDX talks with Trina – still “da baddest” one – as she talks about her happiest “Single Again” moment, spreads love for the newest members of Slip-N-Slide records and expresses how marketing can help more female emcees get out there in the game.
HipHopDX: Your name was in a lot of people’s mouths this year and your new album hasn’t even dropped yet. How does that feel?
Trina: [Laughs] I think that it’s great when people talk about me. It means that I worked extremely hard. Even without an album, my name stays in a circular motion, so I have to be doing something right for someone to talking.
DX: With the “baddest bitch” title – do you ever feel pressured to handle yourself in a certain way when confronted?
T: No, I’m always usually the same way – I’m normal. Being “that” – it definitely means that one has to be a strong character. I am a very strong woman and you have to stand up for yourself in certain situations. I’m very independent and focused on what I want. I don’t like to take no for an answer. I’m not worried about being approached by someone because people are usually respectful. I think it’s the type of person that I am and they see me as a character. But I’m very humble and still very sassy, yet very normal. I’m always laughing and they get intimidated by that. I think it’s just me being outspoken. So, you don’t really know the angle that you’re going to be presented with.
DX: What should your hardcore fans expect from your latest?
T: The fans should expect a lot of different things. I went into the studio with an open mind. I went in there wanting to do things my way. I did songs that have some Reggae, some Rock & Roll, some techno and all of it was different for me. I have the sexy, fly, aggressive, the party record… just a whole variation of records. It’s refreshing and new. I was trying different stuff. I know my fans are always looking for me to do the unexpected and on this album, I even sang on a record. Doing the techno song was a different type of thing all together. I had never done something like that before. I thought, “Wow.” It’s a whole different level of music for me to do that and love it, that’s different.
DX: What sort of changes have you noticed moving from Atlantic to EMI?
T: The change is different. Atlantic is a major and it’s a different company versus EMI – which is a smaller form of the label. Everything isn’t hands on, but I feel business-wise it was the best decision. It’s a little bit more work. At Atlantic, things are handled differently, but at EMI you have to do double the work. I’m used to that so it’s not a drastic change for me. It’s all still the same to me, it’s just more work that has to be done on mine and my team’s part.
DX: …And what changes have you noticed in your own life since making these new transitions?
T: I am still the same person and do mostly the same things, but I am transitioning into a different format. Your life changes when you do all these different things. I set a calendar that plans my everyday life and my album’s life. With music, everything kind of changes when you have a project to promote and plan, so you have to transition with that.
DX: You have the new joint, “Single Again.” People always try to get into your relationships, but what was one relationship where you were happy to be single again?
T: [Laughs] Wow, that’s a good question. I have had a past relationship where I felt that I wanted to be out of that situation so badly that once I was out I was relived. When I was out of it, I was happy that I was out it. When I looked back, it was definitely a growing process. I learned what I didn’t want to be in.
DX: When you started out, Miami wasn’t the place in Hip Hop that it is today. It wasn’t full of out-of-town rappers and celebrities. Are there any elements to your city that you miss?
T: Not really. My city is pretty great. It’s one of the best states. It has great weather and great food. I just feel really good to be a part of it. To come from that is a blessing and for others to come there to live is a great look. I never thought that I would move away from Miami.
DX: You and Trick are synonymous in Florida and the rumor of him leaving to go for G-Unit had people wondering if there was any tension between you and him?
T: No, not at all. We’re cool. Trick is Trick and he’s a great person. He has his ups and downs, but we’re friends and we’re always going to be like that.
DX: So, how has it been to watch Slip-N-Slide usher in a new class with Rick Ross and Plies?
T: It’s actually great. [Rick] Ross and I have been friends for a long time. He sat patiently and his dreams are coming true. I’m 100% proud of him and his work. The acts that have been signed to the label have been waiting, and it’s their time now. With that I’m really proud of both Rick Ross and Plies. I remember when Plies sat around patiently and he came out and put out a great record that got people to really think.
DX: You helped to build the label up. Do you ever feel pushed to the side?
T: I never felt that. I’m the only girl on the label, so I had a lot of benefits and had the upper hand. I’m like the prized possession of the label. So, it’s kind of a favorable position to be in.
DX: There are women who try to get into rap who follow your archetype of “sex sells.” Do you think that that impression empowers women or makes them become easily marketable sex objects?
T: I think that everything you do is about marketing. The new girl’s coming into the game should know that it’s not just about being sexy; it’s about you as a person. It’s about your will and your determination. It’s about how you perceive yourself and why should people look at you. What is your impact? So many girls out there have similarities to mines or Missy Elliott’s story, but you have to have your impact stand out. People want to have something to follow; something that they can relate to. You have to be an inspiration to others. You have to do whatever it is that you can do. I just think for any new artist that they should have their own movement.
DX: So, who are some ladies out there that you love?
T: Jackie-O is a very talented artist. I love Diamond and Princess. They’re doing their thing! They’re relevant to the school kids. I even like Rasheeda. She hasn’t been overexposed, yet. I like Chyna White. She’s still an incredible artist putting out that rugged music.
DX: When “The Baddest Bitch” dropped in 2000, it was one of the best years for album sales in Hip Hop. In the midst of the 50 Cent/Kanye West sales rivalry and with the Internet so prevalent, do you think that sales can ever get to that level again?
T: I don’t know. I hope so. [Laughs] That’ll be great for me and artists who come out. I just think that with everything going on with the bootlegging that it’s just so hard to sell albums. With them and their competition, it was actually about people wanting to buy a product. I thought it was a great plan and the way they marketed their plan was well. I just hope that people are aware and that they buy the album. We need that, we need the album sales and I think we need great marketing plans to make albums become a commodity again. That 50 vs. Kanye was you heard… everywhere! People were anticipating the albums dropping and that range of competition was insane. Those type of things help out in the long run.
DX: I know that this borders into going into your personal life, which I know you want to shy away from. But I have to ask you – what was your reaction when 50 Cent mentioned your name in “Fully Loaded Clip” like that?
T: I kind of laughed a little. I felt that 50 is just 50 and he does what he does. I didn’t look at him like, “Why would he say that?” It wasn’t a big thing where I felt like I was mad. He just called out my name. I know that the statement wasn’t true. I don’t think that there’s any need for retaliation. It’s not the first time
