Trina
It’s hard to imagine what hip-hop would be like without Trina. The Miami native debuted over 20 years ago, armed with unparalleled lyricism and talent that has propelled her to become the phenom she is today. Trina may have received the I Am Hip-Hop Award at this year’s BET Hip-Hop Awards, but her impact expands beyond her accolades. And it’s apparent when one listens to this renaissance era of women dominating the hip-hop genre.
While that kind of influence can’t be bottled up and sold, it is something that’s innately within the rapper. The superstar is often praised for the confidence she exudes in her music, but according to her, it came naturally.
“I kind of grew up seeing that, so when I was making music, I always incorporated that. I always incorporated that confidence,” Trina said. “That's just how I create when I'm thinking about music being a form of expression of being free and being confident. It doesn't matter what anyone else thinks as long as you're confident in yourself. That's where you get your security from. That's what makes you a secure woman. That's what makes you feel proud in your own right and in your own body. That's how I always looked at it.”
The current roster of women rappers who champion sexual liberation and empowerment wasn’t just born out of thin air, but from the road paved by Trina’s courageous decision to be bold in her craft over 20 years ago. With many of these women, including The City Girls and Latto, praising Trina for such inspiration on social media, Trina says that this uplifting happens offline as well.
“When it comes to this generation, I feel like the impact is definitely there. You can't miss it. Some of them I know and talk to regularly, and I'm always encouraging them to keep pushing. Even if I see them online and there’s negative stuff happening, I may just text them and say, ‘Yo, don't entertain that. Just keep shining, keep grinding, and keep moving,’” Trina said. “That's just my energy as a person because I do that in real life with my friends. If you're around me, that's what I'm going to do. I'm never letting you sit stagnantly and not be able to push yourself because I just feel like if you don't do it, who's going to do it for you?”
Trina
With a nearly three-decades-long career, Trina’s longevity and influence are insurmountable. Carving out her lane in a male-dominated industry while consistently releasing chart-topping music is evident in the maven’s steel-laced work ethic. Earlier this year, BET honored Trina with the I Am Hip-Hop Award for her contributions to hip-hop, and for the Miami native, she feels it came in due time.
“I’m thankful to BET for giving me that acknowledgment and at such a special time where I’m really able to show that I have done so much. It was a beautiful moment, and I'm grateful for the artists that spoke on my behalf and just to actually win this award,” Trina said. “ To show artists that once you have your mind set on your dream, just move forward and don't give up. You just don't know that what's for you will be for you when it's for you, and that's just how I felt receiving that award.”
Trina’s continued evolution as an artist is something that she’s looking forward to. As the Diamond Princess continues to grow, she’s looking forward to continuing to do what she wants on her own time.
“I look forward to moving forward, evolving, and constantly just growing and doing things that I love on my time. Just experimenting and experiencing things and seeing them evolve. I think that's what it is for me. I never really set a time or say, ‘Oh, I'm going to reach this,’” Trina said. “If I'm doing something and it's going great, and everyone loves it, that just inspires me even more or to do something else that's great. That's where the inspiration comes from, and to just see and appreciate it.”
