Published: Wednesday - October 17, 2007
Words by La'Juanda Knight
Trina (Photo: Slip-N-Slide)
Rewind the clock years ago to when you first saw Trick Daddy's "Nann N----" video. Trick Daddy was there doing his thing, helping to put Miami on the map way before Rick Ross and Plies. Not only were people amazed by the raw and uncut honesty of the explicit song, it left everybody wondering who the featured chick in it was. She was bold, sexual, honest, and confident. She wasn't the first female MC to display those qualities, but there was something about her raw delivery that won the audience over.
Fast forward years and albums later and that chick, Trina, has came into her own. Not only is she a household name, she is a brand. Enjoying the finer, sexier things in life, Trina refers to herself as the Diamond Princess and acts the part. Don't get it twisted though, she by no means is a woman without a heart. If you were expecting a constant viscous bitch, then you would be wrong. Instead she is well rounded and finally can call herself a whole woman and not just a rap chick. Everything from a clothing line, to Lil Wayne, to her current love life status to her new obsession with the studio, Trina delivers. All the while molding herself into the business woman / humble / driven / baddest chick you're ever going to meet.
BallerStatus.com: A lot of people may know you as Trina the rapper. I want you to tell me something about yourself that people may not know about Trina the person?
Trina: I think that Trina the person is a different person than Trina the rapper. [She's a] very humble person, very friendly, very quiet. Rapping is entertainment. It's a lot more energetic. It's more outspoken and exposed. I think my personal life is a whole step down from that. I'm more of a private person. Only people close to me would really know that.
BallerStatus.com: You would describe yourself as quiet and to yourself?
Trina: Most of the time. I'm always to myself or with friends. Mostly doing quiet things. I'm really not as outspoken in entertainment as I am as a regular person.
BallerStatus.com: So if you were at a club and you were doing your regular person thing, then you wouldn't be the girl shutting down the club in the middle of the dance floor?
Trina: I probably would be chilling at a V.I.P. table with my friends, having a great time and vibing to the music. I like to have fun. I do like to go out and party, but besides that, my circle is close and small. More intimate and personal. I like to spend time with my family and friends because I'm always performing or on tour, so when I'm not doing that I like to be more intimate.
BallerStatus.com: You probably get tired of being around strangers and want to be around people you know actually care about you.
Trina: Right (laughs).
BallerStatus.com: What was your mentality going into your new album, The Baddest Bitch Reloaded?
Trina: It was great. I think that my mentality was focused and determination, to once again prove to my fans and those that probably are not fans, but will soon be fan,s that music is evolutional. It's not that many females rapping and I enjoy what I do. I try to advance in my craft. Each time it's a change. I been through so many different things over the period of time of not having an album out that it so much energy inside of me and so many more things that I want to talk about and share with my fans.
BallerStatus.com: What's you first single?
Trina: The first single on my album is called "I Got A Bottle" featuring Missy Elliot. The original first single was called "Single Again," which probably will be released later this year.
BallerStatus.com: What's the difference between the Trina who released Glamourest Life and the Trina releasing Baddest Bitch Reloaded?
Trina: I think I have grown a lot. So much has changed. I'm still with Slip-N-Slide, but not Atlantic. The whole motivation of putting this project together was just a whole new mindset for myself. Being on my own. Being able to go back into the studio and figure out what kind of identity I want. What type of look and photoshoots. Everything is a whole new direction for myself.
BallerStatus.com: Your CEO Ted Lucas was telling me that you have been in the studio like crazy.
Trina: I have been in the studio like unbelievable. I think probably the most I have ever been. I've done like seven mixtapes. I've already released like three and we are going to drop four before the album drops. Different beats. I did remixes. It's crazy. I don't even know sometimes where the drive comes from. It's been really a blessing to be in studio and to be in control of the project. To know what I want and work with producers to pick the type of songs I want to do this time. Some stuff I didn't even think I could do. So I'm overwhelmed and overexcited about it.
BallerStatus.com: You feel that fire inside like whoa!
Trina: I feel like "Wow, I can't believe I did that." Listened to an actual record once you spit it... I put a 150% into it, so that the outcome would be great. I think I'm the happiest I've ever been in recording and in my life at this time.
BallerStatus.com: Okay. I gotta ask you. Were there any truth to you and Lil Wayne dating?
Trina: We were, that's a previous relationship. He's a great guy. I'm officially happily single.
BallerStatus.com: Was it awkward dating another rapper?
Trina: No not at all, but I don't want to date another rapper. I want to focus on my new album, my new clothing line. Everything I wanted to bring out of myself. I just want to focus on me. Really from studio to dance rehearsals, getting ready for tour, my days are hectic. It's like a 24 hour job.
BallerStatus.com: Yeah it is. So girl you gotta tell me. How do you think you have had such longevity in your career? I remember seeing "Nann" video...
Trina: Aww! (laughs) I just think I worked really hard. I stayed on the road. Even without having a new album out, I constantly do shows. I recently started doing the mixtape thing. I think it's a great way to stay in tune with the fans and let them know that you're in the studio. I just think I reach out. I have a charity. I do a bunch of stuff that keep you connected with the fans and the people.
BallerStatus.com: You do inspire females to have that confidence to go for what you want and to now be afraid to do you.
Trina: I think as a woman we don't get enough credit. There are women who are working just as hard as males, but we don't get that same light. I think it's unfair. But you know what it is what is, it's society. I didn't make the rules, so I just get in where I can fit in. I work extremely hard. I think for women its not enough unity. We have egos. We deal with low self esteem. I think women should just be strong, stand up and so whatever you want to do just do it.
BallerStatus.com: We are very competitive as well with each other. You see the numbers increasing as far as female MCs, do you ever worry about competition taking your spot?
Trina: No, I think it's great. I love competition. I think to be successful you need competition. It's a challenge. I don't look at it as this one trying to out do me. If I was going out for "American's Top Model" or anything you do, you try to be the best you can be. You just gotta take it for what it is and believe in yourself. Me, I believe totally in myself. I'm 100 percent confident. I love the fact that there are more females coming into the game because there are not that many. I think that it needs to be more that way we can do tours, records and features. Do the same thing the guys do and shut the game down. I think it would be easier. I'm all for an all female show. I have nothing against competition and I love challenges.
BallerStatus.com: You have a raunchy sexy image. Do you think that people take that image to heart when you are out doing your everyday? How do people react to you?
Trina: Um, I think so. I think some people go overboard. They get a misconception and get it twisted. Some of the songs I made are very explicit and raunchy, over the top, so they feel that this is her life. In actuality, it is a part of entertainment. To me it's reality. It's the world, it's the way I live and the way I see it. I didn't come with a silver platter in my mouth. I come from a well grounded very comfortable family. I was raised well and I had a lot of things, but I also come from the streets. I seen things that were great and bad. I got beautiful friends with great jobs. I got friends that don't even have jobs. So for me, I try to put myself in the middle and stay humble. I realize that nothing I do is going to ever please everybody.
When I'm doing a song, it's just the way I see what's in front on me. The way I see some of my friends misbehaving or accomplishing things. Even for myself, I have done a ton of things where I'm like "Why did you do that?" I sit back and think that I don't have too many regrets. I like to learn. The world that we live in is crazy. I just feel like it's life. You have to open up your eyes and be aware of what's going on around you. I don't live in a perfect squeaky clean world where Trina is never going to say anything bad because that is not my world. I see everything.
BallerStatus.com: I think that every woman has felt like "Damn! Why did I do that?"
Trina: Yeah, we all have felt like that. I have done things where I'm like "I wish I could rewind and take it back." Some things are just a learning experience. I deal with the issue and keep it moving.
BallerStatus.com: What are some of the sides of Trina we are going to see on Baddest Bitch Reloaded that we have never seen before?
Trina: Wow, it's crazy. I have a song called "I Wish I Never Met You." It's a beautiful song, but it's a part of me. It's a Trina "Real World." I did a song called "Crash My Party." It's real crunk. I have a song called "Diva." It's very rock-n-roll and alternative. It's something new that I was trying. I sung a little bit on the record. It is amazing. I want to do records that people would never expect from me. I think my fans are going to love it, so I'm really happy.
BallerStatus.com: What do you do when you are at home and not working?
Trina: I invite my friends over. We pop popcorn, watch movies, get massages, act crazy. We do stuff where I don't have to be dressed up or put on heels. No make-up or cameras. Stay in the house. I go shopping a lot.
I kick it with my friends. I wear jogging pants, crack jokes, act a fool. Enjoy each other. I miss them so much when I'm on the road traveling. When I'm home, it's the most beautiful thing. I don't have to worry about nobody being judgmental, what we say or wear. It's a comfort zone.
BallerStatus.com: When you are out on the road away from your people do you ever get lonely?
Trina: I have been. It's been a while since I been on the road. Now it's just me and my crew on the road from state to state doing shows. It's pretty lonely. It's a point when I wasn't lonely. But I think now by me being single, it gets lonely. I do have two assistants and dancers, but their still not the people you want to snuggle up under. I think I stay so busy doing stuff with radio, photo shoots or whatever that usually I'm tired and crash or go out to dinner or something. But I do get the lonely days. I think any artist goes through it.
BallerStatus.com: You are at the point in your life where you are focusing on your career and not trying to date right?
Trina: No, I'm pretty cool. I had a pretty long relationship. It was very intense and emotional. I just think for myself it's all about learning self worth. The value of myself and healing and being okay. It's okay and I'm okay. I'm about to go on the road again and it's about to be a lot of new dances and new songs, new interviews and tracks. I'm in abundance to try to gather all of that stuff up and know exactly how I'm going to do all of this. It's okay now, but once it gets close to the album, it's going to be crazy.
BallerStatus.com: So you are cool with being by yourself?
Trina: I think as a women you need me time. Time to find out about you. Its things about a woman that always changes. Nothing ever stays the same, whether it's your hair or your diet. I think we are emotional. We go through so many different issues that it's harder to deal with. We are more emotional than men. We need that time to get your thoughts together. I'm enjoying it.
BallerStatus.com: Who are some producers that you worked with on the new album?
Trina: Cool & Dre, Donnie and Matlock, Scott Storch, The Runners. Those are just to name a few.
BallerStatus.com: You seem excited. I can hear it in your voice.
Trina: I'm excited because it's been a while. It's been over two years. Two years, the album wasn't out, but I been on the road non-stop. So I really didn't get a break. I been traveling, vacationing, working, performing, and doing shows, charity. I'm just overwhelmed. My fans has been asking me when the album is coming. I'm ready to state what been on my mind.
BallerStatus.com: Trina, I know you want to get married at some point and have kids. Trina: Uh huh.
BallerStatus.com: What is your ideal man?
Trina: I love personality, confidence, and charm. I like swagger, attitude, but still humble. You have to be able to treat a woman. It is important to me how a man treats his mom and women. Courtesy. All that matters to me. Somebody who has their priorities together, very focused. I'm very much a sucker for charm.
BallerStatus.com: I think sometimes some guys with the swagger, they don't know how to balance it. You can have the swagger and still treat me a certain way.
Trina: Right. Keep the swagger, but still be a man. It's a difference between having swagger and being an asshole.
BallerStatus.com: (laughs) Yes, asshole. You read my mind.
Trina: It's a big difference. Guys need to understand and know that.
BallerStatus.com: So you don't care as much about looks? I know that I don't focus on that.
Trina: I mean, looks is not really important. Beauty is skin deep. It does not matter to me if you look like Shamar Moore. As long you're nice and clean. I love a nice groomed man. I love smell. You must smell good. I love nice nails. Its so much things that I adore about a man.
BallerStatus.com: You read my mind when it comes to man. Because you can look like Shemar Moore and I still won't want you if your personality sucks and your boring or we don't even have a connection.
Trina: Yeah! I love personality. I want you to make me laugh. I love to smile. I want you to be looking at me when I'm not looking at you, so that way out the side of my eye I can see you looking at me. I love attentiveness.
BallerStatus.com: Right, those little details. Me too. Pay attention to me.
Trina: (laughs)
BallerStatus.com: You know how you know if a guy is not paying you attention is when he buys you something you would never wear. You need to step it up, you're not paying me enough attention.
Trina: Right, because you should know me by now! (laughs)
BallerStatus.com: I like asking artists this. Why rap?
Trina: Rap wasn't a choice for me. It just came. It was a spur of the moment thing. I love hip-hop and R&B. I love music. I always listen to everything. You wouldn't believe some of the artists that I love. I like to write and it just happens. Trick called me and was like, "I want you to do a song for me." I was like, "No, I don't think so." I just did not see myself going into that. He was like "Nah come on, I want you to do your thing and talk crazy, talk trash." That's how this whole thing got started. I was very nervous.
My first performance was one of the scariest moments in my life. I was nervous and afraid, but I overcame it. After that one performance I said to myself, "You are going to be a star. I'm going to mold myself into a brand." I'm a people's person, so I loved the response from the crowd and the women. Some women can be so beautiful and say the most uplifting comments and some can be complete, I don't even know the word for them. I'm just speaking on being a woman. It could actually help someone going through a relationship or moving on. Letting them know that it's nothing wrong with looking fly and having diamonds. Everybody can't afford everything, but make sure that as a woman you can be the best woman you can be. I think we sell ourselves short. I want to be able to live life.
BallerStatus.com: What would you call the Trina brand?
Trina: It is the evolutional woman. This is a big society. You have to get out there by all means necessary and make a way for yourself. God bless the child that has its own, not dependent of a man or a family member. Hold your own household. Be happy. So many women are not happy because they don't have enough self esteem. Anything that you want that another woman has, get it!.Get on your grind. Your healthy, strive your way to the top.
BallerStatus.com: Anything else you want to add?
Trina: I have a clothing line coming out. We are starting with jeans and tanks. It's called Pink Diamond Couture. It will be out the beginning of the year. I'm happy that I'm coming back out.
Features Joe Budden: I Do It For Hip-Hop It's 2008, and guess what, Joe Budden is still here. Normally when a rapper endures personal tragedies, and label disputes, ... full story
Beyond Hip-Hop Game Review: Far Cry 2 Gone are Jack Carver, his Hawaiian shirt, and the trigens from the first installment of "Far Cry," but in comes spine ... full story
Digg It
Del.icio.us
