In this week’s artist spotlight, I had a chance to sit down with up and coming rapper T’Trotta. He is most known famously for the Merc Boyz (Big Hurt and T’trotta) smash hit “One O’clock” and his solo single “I Feel So Good”. T’trotta has dropped numerous of singles and mixtapes with his other half, Big Hurt. On January 1, 2011, T’trotta made his solo debut with the alias titled mixtape “Key 2 Da Streetz”. T’trotta is expected to drop his second solo project in February entitled Campaign Musik and his album entitled “Key 2 Da Streetz - Da Lock-Up.” Check out the interview below!
RS: Tell the people a little bit about who you are and where you from.
Trotta: Well you know Im T’trotta, also known as “Key 2 Da Streetz (K2DS)”. I am a Southern artist associated with Lil T601 and his Hustle Hard Campaign enterprise. I was born in Clarksdale, MS, then later moved to Greenwood, MS at the age of 17.
RS: Clarksdale, MS, that’s straight down 61, home of the blues and artists like Rick Ross and actor Morgan Freeman. That’s whats up. How did you earn the alias “Key 2 Da Streetz” or K2DS?
Trotta: “Key 2 Da Streetz” was a name that was given to me by a fellow Hustle Hard affiliate meaning if the streetz are on lock then, I got the key. I liked and decided to use it.
RS: What is #CampaignMusik and Hustle Hard Campaign?
Trotta: “Campaign Musik” is the name of my second solo mixtape. I named it “Campaign Musik” because for one, it originated from the company, Hustle Hard Campaign; and two “Campaign” is like your election, your promotion. The things you do to put you on the top. The “Hustle Hard” part speaks for itself.
RS: When and how did you become interested in rap music?
Trotta: I was always into music and free-styling, but I recorded my first track in 2003 called “Shake Something” with da Dirty South Sluggers. We got that song circulating around the town, the people started listening and that’s how we got started.
RS: I remember that track Shake Something, it was a southern club banger! Didn’t realize you was in the mix dawg. What do you think it will take to put Mississippi on the Map as a competitor for hip hop artists or do you feel Mississippi is properly represented?
Trotta: No. I feel that it is not nearly enough unity in this state. I also feel that the only way for this state to compete with the “big dawgs” is to form unity.
RS: Do you think hip hop is headed in the right direction?
Trotta: No!
RS: Who are your musical influences?
Trotta: (laughs) Lil T601
RS: Let me get back to your style of music specifically. What separates your style of rap from other rappers and makes your music unique?
Trotta: Because I’m unique, and I rap about me, u feel me?! I created my own style based on me and my everyday life.
RS: If you could work with an artist right now, who would it be and why?
Trotta: I would work with anybody serious, independent or mainstream. This is what I do and if you serious, let’s get it.
RS: Tell me Trotta, where can your music be purchased or downloaded?
Trotta: You can download my music is off www.hustlehardcampaign.com but you can find me on other sites such as datpiff, Itunes, etc.
RS: How can people interested in your music reach you? (facebook, twitter, youtube, reverbnation, websites)
Trotta: Yea, I got that “Campaign Musik” mixtape scheduled to drop in February and my album “Key 2 Da Streetz - Da Lock Up” dropping late 2012.
RS: Trotta I wanna thank you for taking time out of your schedule to do this interview with me. Man, best of luck in the music game and we look forward to hearing more from you. Do you have any shoutouts u want to make?
Trotta: Yea, shoutouts out to Hustle Hard Campaign man. Shoutouts to all the artists gringind and campaigning to be on the top. Shoutouts to the whole "Sipp" (Mississippi) my nigga! #Campaign
