Honeymag.com interviews Trina!~


honeymag.com

 

this interview is straight from honeymag.com: 

Honey Magazine: This is your fifth album. Are you excited about the release of the new album Amazin’?
Trina: I’m very excited. I worked really hard on the album. I just wanted to make records that were relative to where my life is right now. It was about just having fun, and being happy, and love. Evolving as a woman. It’s been pretty amazing. 

Is that why it’s called Amazin’?
Well, I was in the studio and it wasn’t really a name thing — I was just going back from the first album to the fourth album and I was saying, “Wow, really five albums?” It was like a rewind thing. I was just looking at a bunch of footage in the UK and all over the world. I just thought this is pretty amazing. It seems so surreal. As an artist sometimes you don’t realize how much you have done. 

The lead single is “Million Dollar Girl.” How was it working with Diddy on that track?
I’m going to be so honest with you. Diddy has been my most favorite artist to work with. When I first heard that he wanted to get on the record, I just thought the label was just saying that to hurry up and press me to get the record done. I had Keri Hilson already in mind. When I got the beat I thought she’d kill it. She has such a beautiful, amazing voice. When Diddy did the record, […] he flew down for the video Super Bowl weekend, just his aura just his presence — it was so professional and humble. He brought great energy on set. He grabbed me one on one. We said a prayer and Ciroc was in the building. I was just amazed. The whole crew was. We were wondering [if] he [was] going to come all ego-ed out. 

In the video for “Million Dollar Girl,” you two seemed very comfortable with each other. Did you vibe on set?
He’s a really great person. He’s a business person. I love that. Everything was in a professional manner. He was a perfectionist. He checked everything with the video and it was just like a beautiful thing to have someone of his caliber to be doing the song with. And for him to be there and give pointers and to say certain things, it just made a smooth day. 

Million Dollar Girl” is a different kind of record for you. How have you evolved from the very first single with Trick Daddy to now?
I’m at a good place. Before when I stared, it was just a new face, a new girl. I did a record with Trick. It was very provocative. It was just getting on the record and talking trash, and then I started knowing more and growing more, learning different things about the business. A lot of times as an artist you don’t get to do what you want to do because the label wants to have so much control. This time I had a lot of control to step outside and do what I want to do. 

How have you changed?
I’ve grown. I’m not the same chick from when I did Da Baddest Bitch album. There were records and beats that I turned down, because I felt like I did it and I’m just over it. I’m on a new page. I’m still Trina. I still did something grimy and the underground club, the up-tempo, the sexy, the love [songs]. This album has so much more of my thoughts and my character. 

What’s your favorite song on the album?
I have a record with Monica. It’s called “I Want It All.” It’s the love hate side. It’s one of those moments where I was in a spaced-out mind frame. And I felt like any other woman would feel if you’re in a bad relationship. One of my most favorites is a record I did called “Capricorn.” It’s not really a rap record; it’s more poetic. I was just expressing what a Capricorn means to me. I’m a Sagittarius. I listened to the record. After I was like, “Wow, this is really a different side of me.” 

Is this album more pop?
It’s some pop records on there. I did some stepping outside of the box. I wanted to do something different. It’s just to show a little diversity. To show that I can do different things as opposed to a single rap record. 

We heard that you worked with Lady Gaga on the album. What was that like?
She actually co-wrote the “Let Them Girls Fight” record, featuring Kaleena of Dirty Money. A producer I used on my previous album — he produced “Here We Go” — I went back to him and told him I wanted something different. He said, “I got a record for you, and it’s co-written by Lady Gaga.” At this time I didn’t know who she was. She wasn’t the iconic superstar. So I [listened] and thought, “This is fun.” I Googled her. I was really amazed. I loved her work and I was like I want to try it. It’s different. 

Have you met Gaga?
I haven’t. I think it would be amazing. I actually got to see half of one of her concerts but I had to fly out and do a concert the same night. Amazing. 

You also worked with Nicki Minaj on the album?
Yes, Nicki Minaj is on the album with Lady Saw. It was just one of those records where I wanted a different girly vibe — girls from different places with different types of expression and sound. Nicki was new and it was like embracing a fresh face. Lady Saw is Jamaican. So that was a whole different flavor. I’ve done an all-girl record before but not like this. 

People always say you and Nicki have beef. What was your response to her last line in “5 Star Chick” when she says ‘Ask Lil Wayne who the five-star bitch is’?
There is no drama. There has no reason to be no drama. I’ve never done anything to her and she’s never done anything to me. Drama comes from conflict of interest. I saw you in the street. You said something I didn’t like. That’s drama. The rest of that is erroneous information. As far as [Nicki Minaj’s] verse — I was on the record first. When I heard [Nicki’s lyrics], that’s how she feels. Wayne is the CEO of the label that she’s on and I guess that is her way of saying let him solidify to people that she’s a five-star chick. I did my verse being totally me who I am, just being me, and talking slick. 

So is it safe to say that your verse on the “My Chick Bad (Remix)” is not targeted towards Nicki Minaj?
On the “My Chick Bad (Remix)”, I don’t see how [my verse] could be anything to anybody — Nicki or anybody. It was just a slick verse — me just talking about my relationship, really. It had nothing to do with a female. I don’t spend too much time worrying about females or just having another female on [my] mind. That’s just not how I roll. I’m focused on music, making money. And everything outside of that really don’t matter to me. It’s a waste of time. 

How was first meeting Nicki Minaj?
I met her. She’s a fun person. She has a great spirit. We got along, no issues. And we keep it moving. We don’t got to sleep together. This is an industry. We just got to work together. We just got to get money and do our thing. 

Is there anyone on your bad side right now?
I’ve been doing this for 10 years. I don’t get into all that. I had one incident, which I really wouldn’t call it anything. It was just having something to say to let people know that I smile a lot. I’m very humble. You can say I’m glammed up, whatever. I don’t walk around with a chip on my shoulder. I’m making money. It’s a good life for me. 

As a femcee veteran ,do you have any advice for Nicki?
It’s a hard industry. People don’t understand how hard it is to be a female, a woman and be in this game amongst these wolves—these dudes that just dominate the game. It’s a hard game. Before it was Nicki Minaj, It was Trina, Trina, Trina. When she came about, it felt great to embrace somebody else. I’m a very confident woman. I have no problem giving props to other women when props is due. 

Who are the top five Female emcees/ rappers?
I’m going to say Lil’ Kim. I’m going to say Remy [Ma] because I love Remy. I’ll say Da Brat, MC Lyte. I’ll say me. 

There was some definite girl power going down on the “My Chick Bad (Remix)”. Did everybody get along behind the scenes?
We got along just fine. We had a great day. Luda[cris] was there like a big kid in a candy store with all these beautiful women. He didn’t know what to do. We had a whole all-star team. It wasn’t a long day. It was Super Bowl weekend. I was on the set, Diamond, Eve—we did our cameos together. And Nicki arrived and did a cameo with us for the remix part. That was just when we did the dancing scene. And that was it. It was fun. We all joked and smiled and handled our business. I haven’t had that much fun in a long, long time. 

There has been a lot of talk about the line in the “My Check Bad (Remix) where you say he got the lips tattooed. What was that about?
No I say “so good make him wanna tattoo my lips on him”. 

Right! Kenyon Martin actually talked about getting the lips tatted on his neck on a sports show. How did you get him to do that?
It was just one of those things that just happened. We were just chilling, having a great time and Kenyon was getting tattooed and he wanted my lips. So I basically kissed a piece of paper a bunch of different times and we chose one and it was done. In five minutes it was over. It was great. I couldn’t believe it. I was like are you really about to get that? And before I could get that little smile off my face — you know that blushing thing — it was done. It was all over. I was standing with the cheeks really big, smiling in awe and it was done. I think it was a beautiful thing and I love them. 

Kenyon Martin on Trina’s lips
 

trans Thats Her Attitude: Trina 

We love seeing you two together. Where did you meet?
We met three years ago at a foundation fundraiser. It was something for Alonzo Morning. It was just one of those things. We started talking and it just continued from that. He’s a great person. 

A lot of the blogs are reporting that you two have broken up although you have not. How do you deal with rumors?
It’s really hard to be private and to keep a relationship in this industry. Just to find someone that is a great person and ya’ll get along, to me that’s a beautiful thing. Outside of work, you need love. You need compassion and someone who really supports and holds you down and loves you. And I’m a relationship kind of person. I’m a very girly girl. I just love to be loved. 

So back to the lips on the neck. A tattoo is as serious as an engagement ring. So what’s next? Are you two planning to have babies, wedding?
[Laughs] I would love to have a family. I’m just going to say that. If it happens and God blesses me with that, I will be so grateful and so thankful because I love kids. I have nieces and nephews that I adore. I definitely would love to have a family. So we we’ll see. 

Recently, explicit photos of you were leaked from your cell phone. What was it like to go through that while being in a relationship with Kenyon?
The good thing was to have someone that is supportive. And be there and understand. Like I just didn’t know if I wanted to come outside. I didn’t know how to feel. It was a down thing for me at first. I’m a very emotional person so at first I was just like “Oh my God, why would somebody do that.” Then I got so much support from people around me. I just, like, refused to let the devil steal away my joy. I continued to lift my head up and move forward. 

What actually happened? How did someone get your phone?
The whole situation has been turned over to investigative [detectives]. It’s beyond just soliciting photos. It was actually extorting money. What happened was someone stole my phone from the BET awards, which was back in October. And I just would pray that [the personal photos] would never pop up. This was something that occurred five months later. I was absolutely devastated thinking that was just so horrible for someone to do. 

There has been speculation that all the photos were not yours. Is that true?
A lot of the photos that were online — some of them were from my phone. Some of them were not in my phone. Some were from the Internet, I believe. 

Besides the album you also have a lot of other projects in the works, a clothing line and a fragrance. Correct?
I merged with a [new company]. They have a little more creativity and style as far as what I like. I don’t feel it’s fair to put out something that you wouldn’t want to rock yourself, so I just want to make sure that I’m totally involved and feeling comfortable. Especially with denim with voluptuous and curvy women, you’re always looking for that perfect fit. I’m also launching a cosmetic line, which is glosses and eyelashes and a bunch of other pretty products. I’m really excited about that — just to actually be a part of making it. I see how the gloss is made. I pick the colors. It’s just fabulous. You can check it out on my website and pre-order the album, which is TheBaddestChick.com. And free gloss samples come with that. Outside of music, I’m actually re-launching my perfume again. I’m so excited because now I have a bigger company and a more fabulous [manufacturer]. I’m creating and building an empire. 

We’ve also heard that you have a reality show in the works. Can you tell us about it?
I’m actually getting ready for a television show. I think it’s really great. It’s really different from music though. I’m just in the beginning stage right now. I can’t wait to get started. I can’t say [which network]. We are not supposed to say because of the clearances and I’m not supposed to blurt it out.