Trick Trick is the definition of a hometown hero. For years he’s been putting in work in the Detroit hip-hop scene. From Click Boom Records to Motown, few people have been a better representative for the D. As far back as the Goon Sqwad whose original members consisted of Trick and legendary Detroit MC Proof (R.I.P) .

Trick has been getting it in. While many presume it was Trick’s affiliation with Eminem that brought him to the spotlight, the two have actually been friends for years, and any work they do together is secondary. With a brand new album (The Villain) on the way,  Sixshot.com caught up with Trick Trick to discuss his career, his new album and Proof's shocking death.

Sup Trick, what's good?
 
I’m just working hard as usual cuz, you know.
 
So tell me man, what was life like growing up in the D?

It was a challenge. It’s a hustlin’ capitol so it’s always a competitive situation goin’ on. Survival is number one and that’s always a sport!

When did you get into hip-hop?

In 1989 I was with a group called GBK. My nigga Mark D and me was like Detroit’s N. W.A on Click Boom Records.

What was your time on Click Boom Records like?

It was a lot of growth going on over there. I learned a lot from Clock (Shawn McKinney). He was my best friend and we prayed together and we were brothers as opposed to it just being an artist and a CEO but the streets respected him as a boss and me as an artist. When the time came for me to be the boss it was kinda hard to take the responsibility of an entire city and the actions of the soldiers and lieutenants but peace was made when it was time to be made and war was dealt with accordingly. Click Boom forever!

How far does your relationship with Eminem go back? How did you guys meet?

I met Em back in like 1995. Proof introduced us at a 5Ele show. I looked at him and said these are some mean lookin’ white dudes. So I told him I had some beats for him and he asked me to give him a tape. I went on a 35-city tour the next day and when I came back Shady was born!

The People Vs. was crazy, were you happy with the response you got?

I was happy with the response I got from Detroit but I was very unimpressed with Motown as a label. They dropped the ball before the second single and put me out two days before Christmas with Mary J. Blige and Jamie Foxx. Duhhh! Way to go geniuses. But that didn’t stop me at all; it just made me go harder. I came up financially and I learned a valuable lesson. Indie rocks!

"Welcome to Detroit", the video came out sick. Was it a good time shooting that?

It was hot as all hell and three days before that we did the Anger Management tour but really we make a party out of everything in Detroit. Detroit came out and showed love and it’s always fun working with Em. He is a comedian for real. The director Davy Duhammel was cool too, real good set.
 
Tell us about the Goon Sqwad.

The Goon Sqwad started out with me, Proof, and Styles but Styles and Click didn’t see eye to eye so I made the YG’s write songs about the real shit they did without drawing federal attention and the hood loved it. It was niggas from 7 mile, 6 mile, Puritan Ave., East and West side. After Click passed,  niggas went they own way but we still remained family. It’s just that I was real serious about my career and the g’s were serious about their careers.

Gino, Shorty K, Rowdy Ro, Pissy, Low Down, Proof, Lil D, Shocka D, and me. Now it’s all artist, some of the baddest MC’s from the D. Me, Diezel the Hitman, DJ Thrilla, Guilty Simpson, Paradime, Fatt Father and Ketch Phrase. It’s all different styles with our own identity, it’s crazy cuz. We’re doing an album now; we’re really taking our time because of tours and solo projects. Guilt is on tour overseas with Black Milk, Paradime is Kid Rock’s DJ, and Fatts, Diezel, Thrilla, and me are doin’ spot dates gearing up for my spring release, The Villain. 
 
There's a little rumor that when rappers talk bad about Detroit and then come to your city, you have your own methods of letting them know it wasn't appreciated, any truth to that?

That’s very much the truth! I have zero tolerance for disrespectful attitudes and sometimes dudes and broads have to be taught how to act in this world. If everybody had a genuine respect for themselves then they would know how to automatically respect others.

How important was "Street Life" to your career?

It really wasn’t, I wasn’t tryna blow up from that. I was just doin’ the interview for a friend of mine. The city already knew what happened so that was it. I’m a hustler, not a fuckin’ show off.
 
You've been real successful on an independent and a major, which do you prefer?

Indie all day, absolutely.
 
You got some love on Detroit radio; do you think they supported enough?

I think they can do better but I get my share of love from radio in the D. Kim James is like my uncle at WJLB and Gary Chandler and Was Taxn Dre are like my brothers at WDTJ. DJ Fingers and me grew up together (JLB) and so did Zapp (DTJ) and me. It’s a family with us, even if they don’t care for each other. 
 
How big of a shock was Proof's death and how will it affect hip-hop in Detroit?

I was with Proof and Dolo the day before he past away. It was a horrifying reality check and none of us would ever imagine we would see that day. His spirit is eternal. People like Proof don’t die, his body just left. It made the majority of us as artists put our differences aside and form a level of unity that is unbelievable.
 
Any projects you got coming up that we should look for?

Yes! So many, well, number one is my album, The Villain, which is coming out on Koch [Records] in Spring 2008. It features Eminem, Kid Rock, Lil Jon, Rich Boy, and the Goon Sqwad. I got production from Eminem, Dr. Dre, and Jeff Bass.

I’m starring in two films that will be filmed this year, Gang Squad and Black Butterfly.

My promo tour is going to start in February of ’08. I’m in a film called Cut Print is due to be released Fall ’08 and the Goon Sqwad album is also coming in Fall ’08.
 
Anything you'd like to say to your fans at Sixshot.com?

I have a genuine love for all my fans anywhere and I got love for all of yall. Without you all, it would be back to the streets in the dirt and the pen. God bless you all, thanks for the love and support.