I’ve been following
Trig’s career for many years now. His steady, consistent grinding has
kept him ahead of most of his peers, and he continues to exhibit
versatility with each song he releases.
His humility and spirituality set him apart from the rest, and his fan base continues to expand all across the globe.
This award-winning rapper is truly
destined for greatness, and even though he’s been in the game for a long
time, it feels like he’s just getting started.
What have you been up to lately?
Trig: I’ve been working hard, trying to
finish up the album, which is almost done. I’ve also been doing some
philanthropy work as well. I’m doing some business too. Just trying to
make money to finish and release my new album.
Tell us about “Save Our Lives”, and other charity work you’re involved in.
Trig: It’s an orphanage in Obuasi. Last
year, I did a performance to raise money to complete their block, which
they did. I went back to foster two other kids, and I go there
periodically to check on them and make sure they’re doing well. It’s
more or less me being a father to the home. Whenever I meet someone that
I think can help out, I drive them over there. It’s pretty far so
people don’t really go there and they don’t really get a lot of support
like the other orphanages. I try to make a fun road trip out of it, and
we go there to donate to them and have a little party with the kids. I’m
going there on November 11th. It’s my adopted daughter’s birthday.
We’re trying to work with a hospital in Los Angeles to become the
backbone of the home. I also work with “The Richard Addison Foundation”
(TRAF), and we go to villages and build schools. We started helping
communities around Takoradi but we’ve now extended it. This year we will
be going to other regions. We try to supply these communities with
water or build clinics, etc.
How important is it for you to be involved in such charity work, as an artist?
Trig: Well, apart from it being my
Corporate Social Responsibility, my faith pushes me to do it as well. I
believe in giving. I’ve always wanted to help. I might not feel the way
the kids in the orphanages feel, but I’ve also had my share of hard
times. There’s a certain fulfilment I get when I give to others, or just
making others smile or feel good. As an artist, visiting all these
areas inspires me to write songs and even become their voice.
What are some of the challenges you’ve faced in your career so far?
Trig: One of the biggest ones was that I
used to rap in only English and nothing else. Another thing was the
people were not ready to accept other genres of music. They were not
used to it. For some of us, it was work. We needed to feed off of it. It
was about getting it done or nothing else. At the time we needed it to
work for us. Apart from the passion we had for it, it was about our
daily bread as well, so people not accepting the rap music genre was a
problem. My parents also didn't want me to do this. They spent money on
school and wanted me to become who they wanted me to be. It’s sort of
like football now. Initially, many parents in Ghana didn't believe that
their kids could make a successful career in football. I also had some
friends who tried to discourage me, and told me I was wasting my time
with music. Even some girls I dated did not believe in my career. No
matter how hard some of us rap guys act, we sometimes get that emotional
attachment, and it hurts to see that person look down on the job you’re
doing. You feel like people need to respect your career as an artist as
they would a doctor or lawyer. Being accepted as a rapper even was
another challenge. You go to an office and people won’t take you
seriously. They didn’t even consider my mindset, or how mature I was.
The psychological challenges were more than the financial implications.
If you’re getting support and there’s no money, you still feel good. If
your friends and family encourage you, it gives you hope enough that
money will come. The good thing is that we persevered and we didn’t
stop. We’re here today and everyone’s enjoying the glory.
What would you say is the highest point of your career so far?
Trig: I won’t say any of the awards, but
rather when I realized that people as far as Sunyani knew me and could
sing my songs. I did a show there and had about 6000 people in
attendance. There was no supporting artist, it was just me and I rocked
and even repeated some songs, and these guys loved it. It made me see
that anything is possible. I’ve performed in South Africa, Nigeria, the
UK, etc. That’s all good because I feel like most artists aspire to get
to those levels. But performing for my people here at home and getting
such fantastic reactions is awesome. That being said, I feel like I’m
yet to reach that highest point of my career. I’m looking to doing the
Grammys, doing bigger projects, discovering artists via my label, etc.
So I’m not there yet.
Rap Music has come a long way from the days when people were not accepting it as you’ve said. Where do you think it’s at now?
Trig: Well from the days of Reggie,
Akyeame, NFL, and the rest, it has come down to people like myself, Kwaw
Kese, D-Black, etc. There was a period when Rap Music was at an
all-time high. But genres like Azonto have taken over. You find a lot of
rap artists doing Azonto because they need to feed. It’s
understandable. But if it’s allowed space, and alternative music is
given a chance, then there will be room for all genres.
Tell us about “the new Trig”.
Trig: Well I’m looking to get that
unique sound that many African music legends such as Fela, Koo Nimo,
Salif Kietta have in their music. “The new Trig” is now into live music.
Most of the songs on my new album were recorded live. I’m learning to
play the keyboard. I’m looking at being an icon. I’m paying more
attention to appearances; what I say and at what time, how I project
myself, etc. I’m moving a little bit away from the usual young, vibrant
Trigmatic, and towards the older folks, the money spenders, who need to
understand that music is as important as any other form of business. You
can’t force it on them so they need to connect with your appearance,
product and packaging. I’m taking all these things very seriously.
Through my re-branding, people will soon know where I’m coming from. In a
nutshell, I want to start eating with the elders.
When is the new album due?
Trig: My team and I are still deciding
whether to release it in November or next year. It’s almost ready and I
want to go in November, but my team has a plan and they are pushing for
early next year. We have three videos that are about to be released.
This album has all kinds of genres fused, including Neo Soul, Acid Jazz,
with some Fela and even Frank Sinatra vibes. It’s going to be very
different. It’s not even about making the money but more about people
seeing my versatility.
A message to your fans?
Trig: Don’t let people tell you “it won’t work”.
source: Source: Eddy Blay
