Trai'D

We've been high on Dallas rapper Trai'D and his fast-paced but unique flow for a little while now -- about two years, to be specific. And, after posting the awesome Tyga-featuring music video for his conscious track "Popular" a few weeks back, we weren't really sure we could be all that more impressed.

Then, last week, we caught up with the rapper just after he rolled off stage from performing at the always-awesome Wednesday night jam sessions at the Prophet Bar. And get this -- we had no idea -- dude is only 20 years old. Which means the dude was on the radio with "Gutta Bitch" when he was just 17. Crazy, right?

Even crazier, though, is how far along he's come since then. For more proof, check out his new video, for a song called "ReTaHrD Freestyle," which, we're almost certain, is way too focused to be an actual freestyle. No matter: When he rhymes that he "can make a hit when I beatbox," we're inclined to agree more than disagree, even if the song doesn't appear on his new, strong-to-quite-strong mixtape, Popularity Contest 1.5.

Point is: The beat is sick and the video direction is fittingly frantic. Give it a watch after the jump. Then catch Trai'D live on Friday night at the House of Blues on a stacked bill that also features DJ Smalls and fellow Dallas rap acts worth keeping an eye on, Tum Tum and Big Hud. - Dallas Observer

Haven't yet heard this track from Dallas rapper

Trai'D
on local hip-hop radio, but it seems as likely as some of the other Dallas hip-hop jams of the summer to make it big, thanks in large part to its catchy--and no doubt female-placating--hook. And, sure, it helps that it's called "Summertime." (Not that one. Or, for that matter, this one) Also? At the very least, the above accompanying video for the song is a pretty fun, summery romp.

And, just in case you were curious, yes, the video was shot in North Texas. At Joe Pool Lake in Grand Prairie, in fact, color correction or no. How do I know? Not because I've been to Joe Pool Lake, no. Rather, I watched the behind-the-scenes clip on this video shoot already over at D-Town Stay Down, which is about as comprehensive a site as you're likely to find when it comes to covering the local, blossoming commercial hip-hop movement happening around town. Add that sucker to your favorites, ASAP. - Dallas Observer

"That’s real life situations...when you keep it real and your fans can say, I actually did that or I actually been through that, then they like, Damn this is some real ass shit. They relate to it and therefore they love it. If you was around me late at night, you’ll see what it is, I mean, the freaks come out at night. " This is what Trai'D told us about "Sex Pill" and man, can we ever relate. After the jump, you can read more real talk in Felipe Delerme's Gen F on Trai'D from FADER 58.

HEART BUSSIN

Trai’D spreads Dallas love

Story Felipe Delerme
Photography Tom Pennington

On his MySpace page, Trai’D proclaims that his single “Gutta Chick” is “THE HARDEST LOVE SONG YOU EVER HEARD.” But it wasn’t love that gave “Gutta Chick,” or “Gutta Bitch” in its uncensored form, its first fans. After recording its first incarnation in his bedroom over an instrumental from Mississippi producer Dough Boi that he’d found somewhere during his internet travels, Trai’D passed the song to friend, and Definition DJs member, Lil Lex for its earliest field test. “I brought it to him one day at a party,” Trai’D says by phone from his home in Dallas. “He spun the record and all the girls started fighting and everyone was like, Goddamn, who the hell is that?” On “Gutta Bitch,” over sprightly layered synth and supernatural chimes, Trai’D barks, Don’t do beefing with me/ She’ll say you beefing with her/ Broads who be brawling with me/ Bitch, she’ll be beatin you up! Soon enough the 18-year-old became the latest mouthpiece for thug love.

Already drawing comparisons to chitlin’ circuit juggernaut Lil Boosie, Trai’D’s voice is similarly high pitched, but he raps with a mouth full of bullets. It’s a flow much closer to fellow Dallas native, and admitted influence, Big Tuck. It’s also the direct opposite of his calculated interview persona. During our conversation he pauses to think through his answers, peppering his speech with radio-ready jargon like, “It’s going down,” and “We finna do it real big!” But he has aspirations beyond 97.9 FM The Beat, and like Dallas artists young and old, he’s looking to be the national face of the city. “I’m in Summer Jam and I’m kicking it with [Tuck’s crew] D.S.R. and it’s almost like there’s something wrong with this picture,” he says. “I always thought they was gon put Dallas on the map, so for me to possibly be that person, is crazy.”

Though he’s just ending his teenage years, Trai’D’s music showcases a humility beyond his age. On the chorus of “X Pill” he delivers what sounds like his attempt at a Travis Tritt impression over appropriately bluesy strings and a spongy baseline. When he sings, I’m much too young to be drinking, but I’m drinkinnnnng/ I’m much young to be doin what I doo-oooo, it isn’t a boast about premature life experiences, it’s teenage guilt. And like all guilt, it usually ends in submission. The song’s chorus finishes with, But when she called me talking bout that X pillll/I knew I haaaad to fall throughhhhhh. - FADER UK

MVRemix: For those that are now hearing about you for the first time, tell us about yourself.

Trai’D: Man, where do I start? I’m just a young thundercat outta the south. Dallas, Texas to be exact, fresh out of high school. I’m signed to Hitz Committee/Jive [Records] and I’m let the music speak from there. Google my ass, look me up on YouTube, catch me on MySpace. Ask about me!

MVRemix: How did the name Trai’D come about?


Trai’D: Trai’d actually comes from the word “trademark” which I spell traidmark. With a trademark being a logo a company puts out to represent themselves. I’m basically saying every time I step out I’m reppin’ my city, my people, label and everybody down with me to the fullet. Trai’d/Traidmark!

MVRemix: Tell me about growing up in Oakliff.


Trai’D: Oakliff, Texas is home. If you ever been to Dallas, you gon’ hear about it. But life is what you make it. I kept my head on straight and found my way early learning from a lot of my niggas’ mistakes.

MVRemix: At such a young age, do you feel you’re well enough prepared to enter the current competitive rap industry?


Trai’D: Yup, I think I got it.

MVRemix: How did the song “Gotta Gutta Chick” come about?


Trai’D: I need a gutter chick so the best way to get they attention was making a song for them. “Gutta” chicks get at me myspace.com/traidmark 214-989-3177

MVRemix: I recently spoke with Cassie who has added her phone number to MySpace but solely for fan voice mail. What made you decide to do this?


Trai’D: I just wanted to keep ties with my fans. I really do call back and check up on them but some be forgettin’ to leave they numbers…

MVRemix: Do you feel it’s as effective as when Mike Jones did it?


Trai’D: Nah, he was the first to do it.

MVRemix: As a songwriter, who has influenced you?


Trai’D: A young thundercat named Trai’D.

MVRemix: Do you remember the first song you wrote?


Trai’D: Yeah, and I won’t tell you how it went. [laughs] Hell nah! Just know I done come a long ass way.

MVRemix: How did your relationships with DJ Freddy Hydro and Memphitz come about?


Trai’D: “Gutta Chick” got real hot on the MySpace and Freddy Hydro ran across my page. Being good friends with Memphitz – VP A&R at Jive Records and also the guy who brought the world T-Pain… Hydro brought it to his attention. The rest was history.

MVRemix: Now that you’re signed to Jive, what’s the next step?


Trai’D: Doin’ work! People don’t understand that when the grind gets intense I can’t get laid back now that I got a deal. I gotta grind it out more than ever.

MVRemix: Any videos planned?


Trai’D: Yeah, we ’bout to release a video we shot for this song I got called “Ex Pill.” The “Gutta Chick” music video is on YouTube and BET so check it out at youtube.com/traidtv

MVRemix: If I’m coming to a Trai’d show. What is it that I’m going to experience that I won’t experience simply from listening to your material on CD?


Trai’D: Seeing a young thundercat live in the flesh doin’ his motherfuckin’ thing!

MVRemix: In a sentence or less, what do you do to relax?


Trai’D: I don’t like gettin’ comfortable.

MVRemix: Have fun with this one, a la “Fight Club” – “If you could fight any celebrity, who would you fight”?


Trai’D: Kimbo Slice.

MVRemix: Would you win?


Trai’D: Hell nah, I wouldn’t even fight that nigga! I was lyin’ like a bitch!

MVRemix: Do you have any non musical aspirations?


Trai’D: Yeah, I wanna get into acting. I was just sent a script today, tell ya the truth. I’m tryin’ to Will Smith it out. From Jive to TV shows to big screen, ya dig?

MVRemix: What next do we have to look forward to from you?


Trai’D: More Thundacat music to vibe to. The album “Traidmark” coming soon. It’s going down in a major way; Hitz Committee got ’09. Watch what I tell ya.

MVRemix: Any last words?


Trai’D: Man, again, myspace.com/traidmark or holler at me 214-989-3177. Oh yeah, and get at me on the ringtone; text “GUTTA” to 66555. - MVRemix