Say what you want but there’s no denying that for the past ten years, Miami rapper Trina, has built a name for herself as one of the most visible and consistent female rappers in the game.

She came on the scene hard by collaborating with Slip-N-Slide label mate, Trick Daddy, on the Southern classic, “Nann,” and she hasn’t let up since.  Most recently though Trina’s initial raunchy and raw style has received a glamorous makeover as evidenced by her new sophisticated look and the pop influence of her single, “Single Again.”  But don’t get it twisted, because as the title of her just released fourth album proclaims, Trina, is Still Da Baddest. 

Sixshot got down and dirty with Trina as we talked the sonic departure of her first single, feeling trapped in her sexual image, why every man must provide for his woman, her real thoughts on gold diggers, learning to forgive, and more.

The first single, “Single Again,” has a strong pop influence which is a sonic departure for you.  So what inspired that sound?

I just think it was about a growth in myself.  I was trying different things and styles.  I wanted to make a fun and energetic record.  It’s about having a great time in the studio relative to my life, and I just wanted a ladies anthem.

The album ’s title can read as if you want to remind people of exactly who you are.   But do you ever feel trapped in the image of Trina that you have built over the years to a point where you can’t deviate from that sexual image?

I think a lot of things sometimes can be like stereotypes—people get this one image and you try to excel beyond that.  When everything is sexy everytime they see you they expect the same thing, and they don’t know how to grow with you as a person and artist.  I think that’s the most important thing for me.  I’m always trying to do something different and I think people kind of get caught up in that [image].

What’s the main difference between Katrina Taylor and Trina?

I think Katrina is more laid-back and regular in everyday life.  Trina is a little exaggerated, it’s over the top, and over glamorous.  Katrina is totally different from that.  I’m still the same type of person overall and I don’t think that changes. I think it’s just the character or the image.

What’s the main similarity between Katrina and Trina?

I would just say who I am as a person—the realness.  I came from the streets and hood.  I’m now doing what I wanna do and expanding to such a big population, but who I am as an artist is the same person—I’m the same person inside.

You’re very much a self-made successful woman.  Yet your lyrics paint a different picture.  They either depict or encourage women to use men for money and get ahead in life.  So should those lyrics be taken seriously or as pure entertainment?

Well it’s not really to use men for money.  I wouldn’t say that’s a good term.  I would say it‘s to empower women, like don’t be folded or fall for game.  There are a lot of things that look glamorous and fabulous that women require and want.  A lot of women aren’t that self-confident to go out and believe that you can do whatever you want, and get what you want.  Along the way as a woman you’re gonna be in relationships and have boyfriends.  So it’s about being smart and wise.  Not to say I want to be with that person for the money—that’s not the case.  But make sure you can stabilize yourself whether you’re a celebrity or not.

A lot of people say money doesn’t matter in relationships—

Money is what makes the world go round.  Honestly you can’t live, eat, put gas in your car, or pay your bills without it.  You need it and that’s a part of living.  I don’t think it’s a part of being in a relationship.  I mean for a relationship as far as money is concerned it makes it easier.  When you ain’t got no money you worried about how things gon’ get done, and when you got money things are a lot easier.  But I don’t think that’s what it [relationships] should be what it’s based upon.

I mean if you’re a woman and you’re getting your own money then you know what it’s like to have your own money vs. if you’re some chick with no job, and you wanna just lay up, go out, party, and watch the stories all day.  When you’re not providing for yourself the only way you see getting money is from a man.  If you’re independent then you get your own money, but even in that situation wanting nice things comes with the territory.

Preach on!

[Laughs]

There are tons of rumors about females sleeping around in the business to get ahead and for publicity purposes.  What are your thoughts on that and the girls that are involved in such tactics?

You can’t really say what people do in the industry.  The industry is full of media, press, tabloids, and exploitation.  It’s full of opinionated people that have so many things to say.  You could stand next to somebody and take a picture and somebody say that you’re sleeping with him.  I feel like that’s not fair.  But it’s part of what the industry and what we do so you have to deal with that.  If that is the case and you feel like you got to sleep with this person to get ahead then I really think you’re not getting no where.  You may think you are, but it all comes to an end.  At some point you have to pave your own way and work in order to get wherever you’re trying to go. 

So that’s where people would be confused because some of your lyrics say get this and get that but then you say that—

I just feel like if you’re with somebody, doing your thing, dating, and in a relationship it’s a man’s job.  You’re like his trophy.  You should be fly and he should want to provide and make sure you are that way, regardless of whether you’re independent.  However the case may be you should still be getting rewarded.  I think that women are fly.  The essence of a woman is to look beautiful, smell nice, look nice, and keep themselves in a sense of maintenance and it costs.

I don’t care if you’re in Target to get little nice things that you need for yourself—it costs.So when you’re with a man those are the elements of being a man.

When you become a husband or in a relationship and you move with a man, a man is to provide and make sure his woman is taken care of.  That’s not to say that you’re with him for that.  That’s not the case but as a man you need to be a man and step up to the plate.  Make sure that the person sitting next to you is fly.  You gotta be fly!  Women that’s not fly—I’m not feeling that.  You don’t need a two-thousand dollar outfit to be fly.  You can be fly with a hundred or fifty dollar outfit.  It’s about how you keep yourself together.  It’s about you!

One of my favorite songs from you is “U & Me.”  The song presents a vulnerable side to you as you mourn the end of a friendship.  I always wondered if you and the subject of that song ever got back in-touch?

Yeah of course we did.  Whatever the situation is I always go for the bigger picture.  I feel like you gotta be grown, mature and forgive.  I think that’s the biggest thing in life—forgiveness and to let go of situations.  Doing that makes you a better person.  You don’t want to hold grudges and feel a certain way over something so small.  It was a personal record and an expressional record.  I was being emotional and expressing how I felt, and that’s a reality that people go through everyday.

That’s great to hear that you two are friends again.  Do you ever wish that there was more of a sisterhood in hip-hop?

No doubt.  I think it would be better if that was the case.  It would be meaningful and I think women would respect that.  In the industry there are egos.  I don’t think people realize the importance of unity.  So till that happens it is what it is.

Are there any female rappers that you are cool with?

I’m cool with everybody.

With your organization the Diamond Doll Foundation, you aim to embrace women and let their light shine.  Who would you say has helped you shine in your own life?

My family, people that I look up to, people that keep me grounded and humble.  I think everyday is a challenge and you never know what the next day holds.  So everyday to me is like the last day.  I’m always trying to figure out a way to become better and a way to generate myself in that element.

For more information please visit:
http://www.myspace.com/Trinarockstarr 
http://www.myspace.com/Trina