Trizz Talks Connecting with Chuuwee, How "May I" Was Made, The Way Music Industry Has Changed & More
Underground legend Trizz, has been in the rap game for 10+ years, he has accomplished a lot, but he's not stopping anytime soon. His Californian lyrics over boom-bap beats make his music so much different than what you hear nowadays, and even back then, his music was above his time. Trizz is someone you want to keep your eye on in 2020 and make sure to check out his old music as well this guy is a legend.
So you're from Southern California, what were your childhood and upbringing like? What's was the music scene like out there going up? And who were you listening to growing up?
Yeah, I got into a lot of trouble and shit but always took care of what I needed, too, like school and shit like that. I focused on my music and getting things done, but I still was getting into fights and stealing from people. As far as the music scene, I started rapping when I was 9. During that time, No Limit and Cash Money was running shit as well as new West Coast shit, so I gravitated toward the rapping shit super early. I bumped a lot of oldies as well.
What made you want to first get into creating music? What was going through your head as you recorded and put out your first song? How long have you been making music? And any influences on your music?
The glamour and money of being a rapper is what first attracted me to the to become one, but I grew up in a household where music was played 24/7 from oldies and funk to even some rock n roll. The first song ever recorded was back in like 1999 on a cassette tape. I rapped over some Chronic 2001 instrumentals and this Aaliyah sampler CD with her single beats on it. When I put out my first song in 2007 on MySpace, I was super excited because I had finally had a way to share my music with the world. It was just the beginning. My influences are things I've experienced in life but as far as people, my parents of course due to the massive stock of music had been listening to around the house and a few GOAT rappers like 2pac, Master P, Snoop, Dr. Dre, DJ Quik and Westside Connection (the first album I fell in love with).
A lot of artists make tons of music but are afraid to put it out. Did you ever go through that? If so, can you drop some advice on all the artists nervous about putting their music out because they're afraid of what people think?
No way, I was never afraid to release music. I've released a project every year since 2007. Since the day I recorded and put out my first song, I never stopped releasing music. I never missed a year. If you're nervous about putting shit out, you'll always fall behind the people who aren't worried about putting shit out.
Some of your best music is with Texas artist, Chuuwee. You guys released four albums together spanning from 2014 to 2018. How did you guys link up?
Chuuwee reps Sacramento, I know he's also from Texas, but he's notably recognized as being from Sac. Anyway, I had been hearing about him while working up in Sac in Brotha Lynch's album, and I reached out via Twitter about doing a song, and he was with it. In 2013 when I was on tour in Colorado, he happened to be in town, and I pulled up with a gang of weed, and we recorded a record for the album he was working on at the time. We built up the chemistry while consistently hanging out. He invited me to his house multiple times and vice versa. We eventually agreed on doing a project when I pitched the idea while in a studio session. The rest is history.
One of my favorite and one of your more popular songs is by you and Chuuwee, "May I" featured on "AmeriKKa's Most Blunted 2", released in 2016. Can you run us through recording and collaborating on that song with Chuuwee? Where did you guys record it? And what's the story/inspiration behind the song and lyrics?
We were in the studio working on part 2 out in the IE with our engineer MoniBeatz, and Chuuwee's homie had pulled up with a beat machine. He played a few records he had made while we were smoking, and he landed on that one, and immediately we went crazy over it. "Yea, load that up ASAP". That song came naturally because it's just some smooth California laid back shit. The inspiration was natural.
I want to talk about your most recent release, "Street Meat", a song by Aaron Cohen that you and Kyle Bent are featured on. How did you end up connecting with Aaron and Kyle? How did that song come together? Can you run us through the recording process?
I met Arron's manager at a video shoot for this song I had done with Mark Battles and Jarren Benton. We connected and exchanged info. I found out Aaron was his artist and that he pops up on my Spotify page in the "fans also like" section as well as Kyle Bent. Aaron sent me the record with his verse and chorus laid, and I dropped my verse at my studio. It was a really good song, so again, it came naturally. When I'm feeling a record, the writing part is natural.
You've been in the rap game for a long time. How have you seen the industry and music change since you first started? Do you think it's changed for the better or worse, and why?
I got in the game professionally in 2011. The blog era was booming, mixtapes were drying out, and MySpace had just died. I went through that whole scene, trying to find my sound and develop a cult following that would remain and grow forever. I felt like and still feel like the black cat of this shit. I've managed to make a living doing this, but I'm not quite where I want to be. It's a lot I've yet to accomplish, but I've accomplished so much at the same time. The game has made drastic changes in the last ten years, but I always will adapt. Right now, the streaming era is where it's at right now, and I am one of the most streamed underground artists out right now. I'll always adapt to my surroundings.
What's one thing you learned so far in your career as an artist that you wish you knew when you first started?
Being myself is more comfortable than trying to impress my peers or fans for validation. I wish I would've adopted this mindset sooner, but fuck it, that's what we live and learn for. Just be yourself and tell the truth.
What can we expect from Trizz in 2020? Any new music coming that we should be aware of?
I have a new innovative album and marketing scheme to release it that I believe will change the game or at least spark minds that will. I'm also going on a short four-city tour run this March with my homie C-Mob. Details on TrizzOnline.com.