Trina | |
|---|---|
 Trina in 2009 | |
| Background information | |
| Born | Katrina Laverne Taylor (1974-12-03)December 3, 1974 (age 50)[1][2] |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupations |
|
| Years active | 1998–present |
| Labels | |
Spouse | |
Katrina Laverne Kearse[3] (néeTaylor; born December 3, 1974),[4][5] is an American rapper who rose to prominence in the late 1990s for her collaborations withTrick Daddy on the singles "Nann Nigga", "Shut Up", and "Take It to da House". In 2000, she released her debut albumDa Baddest Bitch. Afterwards, she made an appearance on the remix of "One Minute Man" byMissy Elliott andLudacris. In 2002, she released theKanye West-produced single "B R Right" featuring Ludacris, from her sophomore albumDiamond Princess (2002).
Trina's third albumGlamorest Life (2005), spawned the hit single "Here We Go" featuringKelly Rowland, which was certifiedgold by theRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Her follow-up albumStill da Baddest (2008), peaked within the top ten on theBillboard200, and reached number one on the USR&B/Hip-Hop Albums. In 2010, she released her fifth albumAmazin', which featured theLady Gaga co-penned track "Let Dem Hoes Fight", as well as collaborations withDiddy,Nicki Minaj,Lil Wayne, andRick Ross.
She has been described byXXL as "the most consistent female rapper of all time".[6] In 2014, Trina was included inBillboard's list of the "31 Female Rappers Who ChangedHip-Hop".[7]Most recently, She was ranked #13 on Billboard's 'Top 25 Best Female Rappers of All Time.'
Katrina Laverne Taylor was born on December 3, 1974, inMiami[8] and she grew up in theLiberty City area of the city.[9] Her father isDominican,[10][11][12] while her mother, Vernessa Taylor,[13] wasBahamian.[12] They separated when Trina was a child. She attendedMiami Northwestern Senior High School,[14][15] where she was amajorette,[16] and where she graduated. Taylor initially educated herself towards becoming areal estate agent, before switching her career path to music.
In 1998, Trina was studying to get her real estate license,[17] when she caught the attention of Miami rapperTrick Daddy, who asked her to appear on his track "Nann Nigga". The song was released as the lead single from Trick's second studio album,www.thug.com on July 14, 1998, reaching No. 62 on the USBillboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on theRap Songs chart. This kickstarted Trina's rap career, leading to a record deal withSlip-n-Slide Records with distribution fromAtlantic Records.
On March 21, 2000, Trina released her debut albumDa Baddest Bitch,[18] which debuted at No. 33 on the USBillboard 200 and No. 11 on theTop R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[19] It stayed on theBillboard 200 chart for 39 weeks and on the Hip-Hop/R&B album chart for 49 consecutive weeks[20] and wascertified Gold by theRIAA by November of that year.[21] The album was preceded by the singles "Da Baddest Bitch" on December 22, 1999, and "Pull Over" on February 13, 2000, which reached No. 93 on the Hot 100, No. 46 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and No. 41 on the Rap Songs chart.[22][23]
Trina began working on her second studio album in 2001 withMissy Elliott,[24] enjoying more creative control than ever before, saying in interviews that the album was "more what Trina's about, how Trina looks, how Trina feels, the things that Trina consists of."[25] During this time, she started her own record label imprint, Diva Enterprises. In September 2002, she signed 9-year-old recording artist Lil' Brianna, who would appear on her track "Kandi" and later be known asBrianna Perry.
On August 27, 2002, Trina released her second studio albumDiamond Princess,[26] which debut at No. 14 on theBillboard 200 and No. 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 67,000 units in its first week.[27] The album was preceded by "Told Y'all", featuringRick Ross, which reached No. 64 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and appeared on thesoundtrack to the action comedyAll About the Benjamins, and "No Panties", featuringTweet, which reached No. 88 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and No. 45 on theUK Singles Chart. On October 22, 2002, Trina released the album's third and final single, "B R Right", featuringLudacris, which reached No. 83 on theBillboard Hot 100, No. 50 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and No. 24 on the Rap Songs chart.
On October 4, 2005, Trina released her third studio album,Glamorest Life,[28] which debut at No. 11 on theBillboard 200,[29] No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and No. 2 on the Top Rap Albums chart, selling 77,000 units in its first week.[27] The album was preceded by the single, "Don't Trip", featuringLil Wayne on April 28, 2005, which reached No. 74 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and "Here We Go", featuringKelly Rowland, on September 23, 2005, which became one of Trina's most successful singles, reaching No. 17 on the Hot 100, No. 8 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and No. 3 on the Hot Rap Songs chart and Top 20 in most countries worldwide. The single wascertified Gold in the US in June 2006.[21] The album's third and final single, "Da Club", featuringMannie Fresh, was released on November 22, 2005.
On May 18, 2007, it was announced that Trina had leftAtlantic Records and signed toEMI in conjunction with her original label, Slip-n-Slide Records.[30]
On April 1, 2008, Trina released her fourth studio album,Still da Baddest, which reached No. 6 on theBillboard 200, No. 1 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and No. 1 on the Top Rap Albums chart, becoming her first album to top the charts. Its first-week sales were 47,000.[31] The album was preceded by the singles "Single Again", which reached No. 25 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100, No. 59 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and No. 19 on the Rap Songs chart, and "I Got a Thang for You", featuringKeyshia Cole, which reached No. 21 on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 and No. 59 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The third and final single from the album, "Look Back at Me", featuring Killer Mike, hit No. 1 in Denmark.
On May 4, 2010, Trina released her fifth studio album,Amazin', which debut at No. 13 on theBillboard 200, No. 4 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, No. 2 on the Top Rap Albums chart, and No. 1 on theBillboardIndependent Albums chart. The album sold over 32,000 copies in its first week.[32][33] The album was preceded by the singles "That's My Attitude" on August 21, 2009, "Million Dollar Girl", featuringDiddy andKeri Hilson, on January 12, 2010, which reached No. 61 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and No. 20 on the Rap Songs chart, "Always", featuringMonica, on April 20, 2010, which reached No. 42 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and "White Girl", featuringFlo Rida andGit Fresh, on June 29, 2010.
On March 28, 2011, Trina released the mixtapeDiamonds Are Forever.[34] It was preceded by the singles "Ghetto", featuringT-Pain, "Waist So Skinny", featuringRick Ross, and "Can I", featuringMýa. The mixtape received 4.8 million streams in two days.[35] During this time, Trina was preparing her sixth studio album.[36] On November 9, 2011, Trina announced onMTV RapFix Live that she was no longer signed toSlip-N-Slide Records,[37] the label she had been with since the beginning of her career.
"Slip-n-Slide is like my family. I grew up with those guys, and it's been a long journey. I love them dearly, but it's time, in my career, for me to move forward."
On December 3, 2012, Trina released the mixtapeBack 2 Business, which was preceded by the singles "Beam" featuringGunplay andIceberg Slimm, and "Bad Bitch", featuringLola Monroe andShawnna.[39][40]
On December 17, 2012, Trina appeared as a co-host on the VH1 late night talk showTiny Tonight! withTiny,Tamar Braxton andClaudia Jordan.[41]
On March 9, 2015, Trina revealed that she had signed a new imprint venture with Penalty Entertainment.[42] Days earlier, Trina had released the promotional single "Real One" featuringRico Love, who she said would be the executive producer of her sixth album. On July 21, 2015, Trina previewed its music video on an episode ofLove and Hip Hop Atlanta: Afterparty Live! on July 21, 2015.[43] On October 29,Wolfgang Gartner announced that his song "Turn Up", featuring Trina andWiley, would be featured on the soundtrack for the video gameNeed For Speed.[44] On November 13, Trina released her single "Fuck Boy", along with a remix ofOne Direction's "Perfect", both garnered positive reviews.[45][46][47]
On March 21, 2016, the 16th anniversary of her debut albumDa Baddest Bitch, Trina released the single "Overnight", which discusses the ups and downs of her career including lawsuits, label issues, and being underestimated.[48] On April 1, 2016, Trina released the single "Forget That", featuringSteph Lecor, from theMeet the Blacks soundtrack.[49] On July 11, Trina participated inMissy Elliott's tribute for VH1'sHip Hop Honors: All Hail The Queens. On December 3, Trina celebrated her 38th birthday by unveiling a surpriseEP,Dynasty 6, at a private Art Basel event.[50]
On August 25, 2017, it was announced that Trina andTrick Daddy would star in theVH1 reality television seriesLove & Hip Hop: Miami.[51]
On June 21, 2019, Trina released her much-delayed sixth studio album,The One.[52] In a 2020 interview, Trina stated that she was working on another project that was "almost done".[53]
On June 16, 2021, Trina participated in a competition match viaVerzuz against her longtime friend and collaborator,Philadelphia rapperEve.[54][55] The following year, the former was awarded the 2022 "I Am Hip-Hop" icon award during theBET Hip Hop Awards.[56][57]
On September 21, 2022, Trina made a guest appearance onAll Elite Wrestling'sDynamite program, being revealed as the celebrity guest supportingDiamante againstTBS ChampionJade Cargill.[58] Two nights later onAEW Rampage, Trina appeared in Diamante's corner during the TBS Championship match, which saw Diamante defeated by Cargill. After the match ended, Trina turned heel on Diamante; attacking her and showing her support for Cargill.[59][60]
Trina was in anon-again, off-again relationship with rapperLil Wayne from 2005 to 2007.[61] On October 5, 2005, during an interview withWendy Williams, she confirmed that she and Wayne were engaged to be married. Trina later became pregnant by Lil Wayne, but suffered amiscarriage.[62] The couple have matchingtattoos, Trina has "Wayne" on her wrist, while Lil Wayne has "Trina" spelled out on his ring finger.[63]
During her time with Lil Wayne, Trina was involved in a private affair with formerG-Unit rapperYoung Buck which lasted between mid-2005 and throughout 2006.[64][65] She later dated basketball playerKenyon Martin from 2007 to 2010.[66] He had the image of her lips tattooed on his neck.[66] Trina dated rapperFrench Montana from 2012 to 2014.[67]
Trina began dating Raymond Taylor in 2017 and got engaged in September 2021.[68] Their engagement was called off sometime prior to 2024.[69]
Trina privately married rapper and entrepreneur, Benjamin Kearse Jr., known as Beau Swurv, on May 22, 2024.[70] The two later appeared on the sixth season ofLove & Hip Hop: Miami. Their marriage, however, has received mixed reaction and criticism on social media and in publications.
Trina's brother, Wilbrent Bain Jr., was murdered in a shooting in 2013.[71] Her mother, Vernessa Taylor, died at age 62 after a struggle with cancer in September 2019.[72] In July 2022, Trina's niece was killed.[73]
Trina started the Diamond Doll Foundation, a non-profit organization that helps younger girls with their life struggles.[74] The organization is partnered with the Florida Entertainment Summit to organize the Jingle Bell Toy Drive for children inSouth Florida.[75][76][77]
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | BET Award | Best Female Hip Hop Artist | Herself | Nominated | [78][79][80][81] |
| 2002 | Nominated | ||||
| Video of the Year | "One Minute Man"(withMissy Elliott andLudacris) | Nominated | |||
| 2003 | Best Female Hip Hop Artist | Herself | Nominated | ||
| 2006 | Nominated | ||||
| 2008 | Nominated | ||||
| 2009 | Nominated | ||||
| 2010 | Nominated | ||||
| 2011 | Nominated | ||||
| 2015 | Nominated | ||||
| 2022 | BET Hip Hop Award | I Am Hip Hop Award | Herself | Honored |
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2002 | Best Art Direction in a Video | "One Minute Man"(with Missy Elliott and Ludacris) | Nominated | [82] |
| Best Cinematography in a Video | Nominated | |||
| Best Direction in a Video | Nominated | |||
| Best Editing in a Video | Nominated | |||
| Best Hip-Hop Video | Nominated | |||
| Best Special Effects in a Video | Nominated |
| Year | Category | Nominated work | Result |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | Best R&B/Soul or Rap Music Video | "Pull Over" | Nominated |
| 2002 | "Told Y'all" | Nominated | |
| "One Minute Man"(with Missy Elliott and Ludacris) | Won |
| Year | Award | Category | Nominated work | Result | Ref. |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2003 | Source Hip Hop Award | Single of the Year - Female Solo Artist | "B R Right"(with Ludacris) | Nominated | [83] |
| Artist of the Year - Female Solo | Herself | Nominated | |||
| 2004 | Best Female Rap Collaboration | "Right Thurr"(withChingy) | Nominated | [84] | |
| Remix of the Year | Won | ||||
| 2005 | American Music Award | Favorite Rap/Hip Hop Artist | Herself | Nominated | [85] |
| 2011 | EME Award | International Friend of Reggae Honoree | Honored | [86] | |
| 2014 | All Star Music Experience | Lifetime Achievement Award | Honored | [87] |
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2003 | A Miami Tail | Alica Strada |
| 2004 | Sweet Potato Pie | Regina |
| 2011 | The Cookout 2 | Woman Placing Bet |
| 2021 | Dear Best Friend | Pamela |
| Year | Title | Role | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2001 | The 15th Annual Soul Train Music Awards | Herself | |
| 2001 MTV Video Music Awards | Presenter | ||
| Lady of Soul Awards | |||
| 2002 | 2nd Annual BET Awards | ||
| 2003 | Trina: The Making of a Diamond Princess | ||
| 2005 | 2005 Radio Music Awards | ||
| With Friends Like These | Cleo | ||
| 2006 | DJ Khaled Makes A Video: Holla at Me | ||
| BET Awards 2006 | Herself | ||
| 2007 | The Parker Report | ||
| 2008 | BET Awards 2008 | ||
| 2010 | The Mo'Nique Show | 1 episode | |
| Style-City Music Presents | |||
| 2010 VH1 Hip Hop Honors: The Dirty South | Performer | ||
| My Mic Sounds Nice: The Truth About Women In Hip Hop | Documentary | ||
| 2011 | La La's Full Court Life | 1 episode | |
| 2011–2014 | RapFix Live | 2 episodes | |
| 2012 | 2012 Bet Hip Hop Awards | ||
| 2013 | Tiny Tonight | Co-Host | |
| 2014 | Rupaul's Drag Race | ||
| 2015 | Love & Hip Hop Atlanta: After Party Live! | 1 episode | |
| 2016 | K.Michelle: My Life | 2 episodes | |
| 2017 | Wild 'n Out | 1 episode, Team Captain, Performer | |
| Being | |||
| Hip Hop Squares | 1 episode, Contestant | ||
| The Mane Event | Herself – Bridesmaid | ||
| 2018 | Love & Hip Hop: New York | Herself | 1 episode |
| 2018–2025 | Love & Hip Hop: Miami | Main cast | |
| 2021 | VH1 Family Reunion: Love & Hip Hop Edition | ||
| Queens | Episode: “2022” | ||
| 2022 | AEW Grand Slam | Appeared in a backstage segment onDynamite and accompaniedDiamante onRampage | |
| Baddies | Herself/Host | 3 episodes | |
| The Real Housewives of Potomac | Herself | Guest,2 episodes |
Trina's "first friend in 7th grade" Janie Howard's 50th birthday was in April 2024, meaning she was born in April 1974. This would appear to support the fact that Trina was born exactly around the same time as her (e.g. born in 1974 too).
...another Liberty City native, 24-year-old Katrina Taylor, better known as Trina, will command the future.
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| National | |
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| People | |
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