RESPECT.: You’re raised in Memphis but originally from the VA, how does both of the sounds come together?

TRUB: Coming from the VA to Memphis man honestly just the traveling. I have done a whole lot of traveling just from a kid growing up into a teenager. I got to see different cultures and those different environments and those things actually helped me to transcend my sound to being universal and not being caught up in what’s going on around me. Also being able to know what different markets around me and that transition alone helped me to have the universal style that I have now from doing between Virginia and Memphis.

RESPECT.: Who are some of your biggest influences?

TRUB: My biggest influences honestly for me I grew up to a lot of Three Six Mafia and definitely Playa Fly. Playa Fly was definitely a big one, there’s not one day that I didn’t listen to Fly. Fly was in my ears every two seconds especially growing up in Memphis. You know there was Project Pat and a lot of Three Six Mafia. Even though I listened and admire that because grew up in the Black Haven South Memphis. I was also into a lot of Cash Money and Juvenile. That’s what inspired me and made me want to rap in was a lot of Cash Money and Juvenile. That’s what inspired me was a lot of stuff from Cash Money at that time.

RESPECT.: What’s the culture like in Memphis?

TRUB: Honestly, it’s a very tough culture but at the same time with a lot of talent. There’s a lot of hidden talent in Memphis that it is starting to get some light now.  It always has been getting shine, a sprinkle here and there. You always have a Memphis artist coming here and there. There’s some talent you wouldn’t even know came from Memphis, like Justin Timberlake. Seeing the emergence of a lot artist coming out Memphis especially from artist like Yo Gotti being able to open the door for a lot of artist it’s very is dope. The culture alone is very tough environment but if you can make it out of there, you can make it anywhere.

RESPECT.: You traveled a lot on the road between Memphis and Atlanta to record and build your name in the industry. Who have you worked with and what advice have they given you?

TRUB: Right now I’m actually living in Atlanta. I’ve worked with Waka, Whoo The Kid, Travis Scott, Gorilla Zoe, and Juicy J. Performing wise I’ve also done show with Bruno Mars, Future, & Plies. The biggest thing I’ve learned how to carry yourself and the business. You have to know level I want to be at because there’s level to business and levels to music and type of what caliber artist that you want to be. That’s one thing that Project Pat always taught me. He’s like my uncle so he’s always schooling me and always told me that, always look at what not what they do great but look at what artist might have been great and have failed. Look at what they did, what they do wrong. Always pay attention what your market is, what people like your music and what people don’t know what type level do you want to get to. Do you want be here or do you want to be there?

RESPECT.: Do you know what you want to bring to the game?

TRUB: I know every aspiring artist wants to be one of the greatest. I just want to be the best TRUBs that I can be.

RESPECT.: What does RESPECT. mean to you?

TRUB: RESPECT. that’s the biggest word to me and it’s just as important to me as loyalty if not more. Respect means the world to me. It’s a soul touching word because it represents what you need to have in order to be not just successful in life but to be looked at in life as a person who stands by his word. It’s who you are, it represents who you are. You got to have respect in order to be taken seriously. If a person respect you and you stand on you and that’s your word. If you ain’t taken seriously, then you just out here.

Watch TRUB’s new single “TOP” below and tell us what you think.

The post RESPECT. Interview: TRUB Shines Light on Memphis, Working with Project Pat, Three Six Mafia, Bruno Mars, and New Single “Top” appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.

T.R.U.B.

In a culture where sex, drugs, politics, violence and money dominate the music industry, T.R.U.B. brings the TRUTH in an incredible sound based on what’s hot without conforming to unenthusiastic Hip-Hop trends.

“I produce real music that conveys an image of hope, pride, and fun with an emphasis on hard work and effort that leads to overcoming life’s challenges.”

This Memphis, TN based rapper is not your average Hip Hop artist. Born Lawrence Johnson in Alexandria, VA, T.R.U.B. grew up in Memphis, where his passion for Hip-Hop music grew.

He realized his immense talent and started perfecting his artistry at an early age. His career began rapping at age 11 with his first mixtape “Cruel to the Game.” This project ignited his career and laid the groundwork for his first underground album, “Situation of A Hustler,” produced by Richard “Enigma” Harvey.

Since then, T.R.U.B. has been grinding hard to show the people that his incredible skills and his undeniable flow capture the essence of the Hip-Hop music. With the release of “The Appetizer,” “The Taste Test,” & “The Recipe” he was given the opportunity to tour with some of the biggest names in hip hop. T.R.U.B. is simply not your average rapper; he’s a lyricist with a unique style that sets him apart from the competition.

Although, T.R.U.B. has already had the opportunity to perform and collaborate with industry heavyweights like Juicy J, Project Pat, Bruno Mars, Future, Gorilla Zoe, Plies and Yung Ralph; DJ’s, clubs and radio stations are recognizing T.R.U.B. as a force in Hip Hop based on his own hustle and skills.

T.R.U.B.’s goal is to bring good music to a global audience. He’s blessed with talent; pop star charisma, gangster rapper bravado, a fast-exploding fan base, and lyrics that transform rap into a movement.

His latest project, Armageddon, was release on Halloween of 2015. It encompasses a diversity of styles and influences of what the upcoming rapper has distilled over the years. T.R.U.B. joined forces with one of the biggest rising producers of this era, Marcus Brandon. Marcus and T.R.U.B. have collaborated to create a classic sound for Armageddon and started their own dynasty label “The Elite Society.” With Armageddon, T.R.U.B. returns to the streets where his career once started and delivers a project with refreshing vitality. His fans will certainly notice a new yet familiar T.R.U.B. Sound. And now T.R.U.B. is taking the world by storm with his new smash single ”She Fell In Love.”

T.R.U.B. states, “I have big plans and my future is bright. The world will be very impressed with the moves I will make next.”

Artist: Trub | https://www.instagram.com/trubchef/ • @trubchef ALL Social Media

Single TOP | www.TrubChef.com

Music links:

YouTube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mR0wUD6f604&app=desktop

Apple music

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/top-single/1434993365

Spotify

https://open.spotify.com/album/3s7v2KLBDtulmdats7e66A?si=ddHZpTTFT4mDWGp29YJR8A

iTunes

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/top-single/1434993365

The post Memphis Rapper T.R.U.B Is Taking His Music To The Next Level appeared first on RESPECT. | The Photo Journal of Hip-Hop Culture.