"There's a way out of everything; I should know," Trick-Trick rumbles in
a thick, guttural tone edged with both menace and a refreshing
sarcastic jest. He's beat the case before; most famously murder
charges a few years back (thus the provocative title). "I wrote a lot
of songs while I was in there," he says, reminiscing about the months
he spent in prison in 2004 before he was found not guilty. "Got
through it. I've been going through a lot of obstacles that people
kept putting in front of me. These were not obstacles that I've been
putting in front of myself." The case may be closed, but the musical
journey Christian Mathis aka Trick-Trick has blazed is definitely
still open for discussion - loud, raw, and 7-Mile hard. 7-Mile Road,
one mile south of the infamous 8-Mile, has its own legacy rich in
Detroit heritage and a distinct ride-or-die attitude. Growing up on
7-Mile, Trick-Trick learned to love music from his mother who used to
sing backup for jazz legend Alberta Adams. He also grew up listening
to funk; soul and gospel music at home, some of his early musical
memories include Phil Collins and George Clinton. Eventually,
Trick-Trick picked up percussion as well as all the instruments in the
church. "When I came up in the school it wasn't about rap then; it was
about music," he says, with more than a tinge of pride in his voice.
Trick-Trick came full circle and began to listen to rap naming hip-hop
legends Run DMC, NWA, and Public Enemy as his influences. He also
picked up the name Trick, at an early age. A nicknamed he earned for
his skillful ploys, wooing the neighborhood girls. Later, he changed
the name to play off his best friend and label-mate Click-Click.
Trick-Trick cultivated his early sound when he signed his first deal
with Click-Click's label, Click Boom Records in 1992, but his path to
musical success did not come without a struggle. When he was a
teenager, his father left the house. As the oldest boy in the house,
Trick-Trick turned to the streets and fell into the pitfalls of
hustling that ended with a prison sentence. When he hit the streets as
a grown man, he devoted himself to a new hustle-the music game. From
these shadows, Trick-Trick the artist emerges - both a former gang
member and an accomplished musician in the church. This duality as an
artist and hustler makes for a strong, survivor. And it is this
Trick-Trick, who emblazons every second of The People Vs. affirming
his status as a true star with the potential for global impact, a rare
talent who can inflame both the music studio and the stage, as he
proved on last year's impressive opening segment on Eminem's Anger
Management Tour. One of the most respected players in Detroit's
hip-hop scene, Trick-Trick has armed his Motown Records debut, The
People Vs. with his own quick-witted verbosity along with
collaborations with Eminem, Jazzy Pha, and D-12's Mr. Porter. The
album stands as a testament to his aggressive lyrical flair, with the
multi-instrumentalist (key board, guitar, and drums) and producer
displaying razor sharp mic skills and the kind of dogged determination
that puts him in a class by himself. His noted compatriot Eminem helps
capture such a mood on "Welcome to Detroit," the opening salvo on The
People Vs., the perfect introductory track for an up and comer like
Trick-Trick. Eminem not only produces the track but he also spits a
verse and a hook big upping Trick-Trick in characteristic style,
paying homage to the force he brings from the gritty streets to the
club. Word is Eminem expressed an interest to work with Trick-Trick
over a decade ago, making more than good on that promise by producing
two tracks on The People Vs. Trick-Trick's lyrics also help define the
enigmatic rapper. His personal calling card, "My Name is Trick-Trick."
which he wrote and produced, became an instant Detroit underground
classic, with a syncopated hook and an autobiographical account of
Trick-Trick's personal struggles. He's also rocked the local music
charts prior to The People vs., making hits that became easily
identifiable, throw-your hands in the air club classics, like "Booty
Bounce." This dance-floor sensibility is echoed in the Jazzy Pha
produced body-rockin "Attitude Adjustment," another song that provides
insight into the mercurial star. It's already well known in Detroit
circles that - whether in the cipher or in the streets - Trick-Trick
is not someone you want on your bad side. He explains the constant
presence of his two hulking bodyguards. "They're not here to protect
me; they're here to protect y'all, to keep me from getting to anybody
I want to get to." From his overwhelming physical presence and steely
eyes, its evident he's not joking. On "Let's Scrap," a joint featuring
his younger brother Diezel, the troops are riled by his battle cries.
But it's Trick-Trick's raw combination of vulnerability and street
edge that makes him that much more believable. "I'm a cancer. I go
into my shell," he theorizes. "I like to be bothered with the least
amount of people as possible. That's why I like to be myself. In
Detroit they got they own cliques. I've always been to myself." Such
tenacious focus has fostered his range of skills that include acting
in feature films such as 2004's award-winning MVP and directing music
videos. With The People Vs. Trick-Trick delivers a testimony that is
at once, riveting, powerful, and raucous - and like all the truly
memorable hip-hop manifestos - it's based heavily on undeniable
personal truths. "I felt like a portion of my life was in court. I had
to battle it out and come out on top," he philosophizes. "I put down a
lot of the issues that I went through and lot of the different things
that upset me on The People Vs. My album was real human." Look out for The "Villain"
Everywhere!!! I'll come to you.