March 29, 2024
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Trizz “Ashes N Dust” Interview

Trizz (Baby Ripgut) is the definitive answer to what independent hip-hop needs right now; originality and free spirited!  This 2016 Faygoluvers “Break Out Artist Of  The Year” winner persistently keeps grinding and conquering stages across America on the daily.  Before making a name for himself, Trizz was first introduced to the microphone at the age of nine and used music as a way to escape the monotony of living in the suburbs. The Southern California emcee’s  debut EP Young Trizz put him on the radar in the world of self released hip-hop artists.  Soon after, Trizz caught the attention of Brotha Lynch Hung and other  Strange Music artists thanks to his devoted fan-base and creative live stage show. Trizz’s impressive work ethic led to him being invited to tour with Lynch and was then asked personally by the “Coathanga Strangla” himself to be a guest feature within the ripgut classic Mannibalector. Recently Trizz performed during Tommy Boy Records “Heat Beneath The Street” South By Southwest showcase in Austin, Texas and is currently hard at work recording a double follow up EP behind his latest record Ashes N Dust.

Brotha Lynch Hung and Trizz

Chad Thomas Carsten: Picture yourself holding a mic in your hand for the first time you played live. What goals did you have in mind back then and how many have you conquered throughout your career? 

Trizz: I’d say my goals were to tour and get in front of as many fans as possible so that I can bring them into my cult-like following. I wanted and still want mainstream success while being one hundred percent independent. Since then, I’ve been out on about seven tours, been co-signed by major artists and I’d like to think my path to mainstream success is running pretty smoothly. My family is in full support of what I do. They know it’s a profession and they respect it.

CTC: Why should the hip-hop world be concentrating on your career right now? 

Trizz: If I had to give a person a reason to focus on my career, I’d have to say growth. If anyone has followed me up until this point, they know it’s been a journey. From the hole in the wall shows in my neighborhood to traveling overseas performing for sold out crowds with legends.  Hip-Hop has its phases. There has always been a time when certain sub-genres within hip-hop have been looked down upon for tainting the game with shit they didn’t necessarily agree with or because that in particular song or artist at the moment is the hot shit. It’s about preference. On one hand you can listen to Kendrick and on another you can listen to Young Thug. They’re both rap artists who fall in the category of hip-hop but out of the two, Thug would probably be the one who hip-hop junkies would look down on because of how different his style is and how geared to the mainstream it is. It’s just preference.

CTC: What’s it like to be an artist that creates controversial music? Can you break down how important is it for an artist to be able say what they want without being censored? 

Trizz: This is why being independent is so important. Freedom is key. Meaning what you say is key. I don’t regret what I say on record. If I said it, I meant it and if it came out wrong, then I’ll address it accordingly but I’ll never regret it. We as indie artists who build these foundations of our own to stand on, can say whatever we want without the risk of losing everything we worked for because we don’t work for anybody but ourselves.

CTC: What do you have to say to the politicians around the world who blame controversial music, horror flicks and video games for recent violent outbreaks across the world?

Trizz: I believe it is a cop out. It’s a scapegoat. People demand answers and politicians freeze up and say whatever will shut the people up. Do I believe entertainment influences people? Of course but we can’t hold the creators of these works responsible for what some idiot went out and did on his/her own accord.

CTC: How often have you been faced with race discrimination and police brutality where you live in California?

Trizz: Really, all my life. I’ve had plenty of run-ins with the law and by the grace of God I’ve never spent a day in jail. I’ve been harassed by cops, snatched out my car, thrown in the back with no probable cause. I’ve had punk ass cops make me keep my hands on the hood of that hot ass patrol car and every-time they had to let me go because I did nothing wrong. A lot these instances were in front of my girlfriend.  They really know how to make you feel like shit. Fuck a cop.

CTC: What’s special and unique about your devoted fan-base and live showcase that sets you and them apart from the rest of the other underground Hip-Hop fans/scene? 

Trizz: My fan base I feel is right there with me pushing for the same goal as me. Trying they’re hardest to make sure the world hears what I have to say.  When you come to a Trizz show that’s exactly what you’re going to get. A show. My show is like a hypnosis. Once you lock eyes on the target, that is me…you ain’t going no where!

CTC: When Bizarre and King Gordy reached out to you to be part of their Lars track “Start A War” (featuring Twista and G-Mo Skee), how did you prepare yourself for your verse?

Trizz: That verse came really natural. Bizarre called me and asked if I wanted to get on this record with them and Twista. Immediately after he sent the song, I listened and began writing. This was legendary for me and I knew I couldn’t write no bullshit. I didn’t rush it but it took me all of forty-five minutes to write it because it came so natural.

CTC: What new challenges did you face when recording Ashes N Dust and how did you embrace the new challenges and turn them positive? 

Trizz: Stay on the same subject while keeping my listeners entertained was my main concern. I didn’t want to bore anybody. Really wanted the sound to be original and authentic. I remained focused on the basis of my album which is my life in the suburbs and the city, told in a very sinister way with a touch of West Coast flavor.

CTC: Was there any unfamiliar territory you always wanted to experiment within your style of Hip-hop inside Ashes N Dust and did it happen? 

Trizz: Not at all. I pretty much know my lane so it’s really just about doing what I’m comfortable with. If I ever want to try anything I’m unfamiliar with like beat selection or subject matter in general…I’m going for it.

CTC: Where were you exactly when you first started writing the lyrical content for Ashes N Dust?  Which track from Ashes N Dust do you relate to the most and why?

Trizz: In my room if I can remember correctly. I do a lot of writing in the comfort of my bedroom because that’s where I spend a lot of my time at home. Playing video games, watching crime scene investigation shows and horror movies. It all inspires me to write. The trackHocus Pocus” because of what that phrase means to me. All of the bad shit I’ve done in my life is what I like to call “Hocus Pocus”. A dark time in my life when I was a deviant just trying to find my way in life. Partying, robbing and stealing with my friends, even drag racing. The typical teenage shit.

CTC: In about two months you will be dropping two EPs back to back Ashes N Dust: The Attic and The Basement as an A side and B side to serve as a follow up for Ashes N Dust. Any details behind there lyrical content and production?

Trizz: These two bonus projects are like expansion packs for the Ashes N Dust. They’ll add to the story of what’s already been talked about on the album with the addition of some sick features from artist I feel fit the criteria of Ashes N Dust to keep that eerie feel.

CTC: Are there plans for Leather Face 3 this year? If so, care to share some details?

Trizz: We’ll see. *Laughs*

CTC: When will you and Brotha Lynch Hung finally create a full album together?

Trizz: We have one we are working on, we just have to make it happen. Stay tuned though, we have a few loose records we’re going to drop.

CTC: Which current Rock/Metal artists would you like to record a track with in the near future and why?

Trizz: Sick question. I want to work with System of a Down. I really like how dark and rugged their music sounds and Serj’s voice is incredible! Another band I really like is Graveyard from Sweden. Again, they have this rough sound I’m attracted to.  

CTC: What motivates you to keep creating underground hip-hop classics?

Trizz: The love for the grind keeps me going. Pushing the independent message is important. One thing artist must know, is owning your material is the most important things in this game and should be taken very seriously, no matter if you have one fan and you think it doesn’t matter right now. Trust me, it does. Shout out to Faygoluvers for having me. Thanks a lot!

Interviewer: Chad T Carsten

Interview Date:03/24/18

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