Testing his skills where it matters most – right on stage in front of the fans; Trenton P has established a reputation of excellence in front of concert attendees in St. Louis that spread larger with every performance. His charismatic & electrifying performances and his lyrical-flows & intense freestyles stunned local crowds – and it was their support and confirmation that led Trenton P to take it all to the next level and bring the music straight to the people.
With his signature style, approach and edgy, thought-provoking lyricism he’s become a sonic-force in the rap-game armed with an unstoppable work-ethic determined to be the best by outworking the rest. His 3rd record, SO ILL took in thousands-upon-thousands of pre-orders and has since gone on to quickly impress critics and fans alike through the intensity of the vocals and the massively-dynamic beats Trenton P had cut.
The momentum continued to increase. SO ILL proved to be a huge breakthrough album for Trenton P and opened the door for tremendous new opportunities for his music and career. While radio-play in across the border in Canada grew and expanded to feature his music on over ninety stations, SO ILL also made gigantic strides in the USA, reaching inside the top-ten all throughout the nation securely at the #8 spot on the CMJ charts. Keeping the hype strong and the crowds screaming for more, he played shows on stages set all throughout the country while his YouTube channel gained over 300K hits and a half-million more listens through the Pandora music-site.
The people connect with the music Trenton P makes…they hear the hunger, the determination and the skills that set him apart from the rest each time he hits the mic. Inspired like never before, he signed himself to his own label on the SO ILL Music Group and is seizing the momentum and buzz around his music, ready to take it all to the next-level. Branching off the success of SO ILL, the man is currently hard at work writing, refining and recording a whole new set of songs being set for release in early 2017 on a brand-new album called, BLACKLIST.
Continually challenging himself and pushing himself to be the absolute best around – Trenton P makes sure that his best work is his current work each time out, and So ILL set the standards up higher than ever before. The new album features an incredible cast of supporting talent all willing and ready to assist Trenton P with bringing his new tracks and vision to life. Making certain that each move he makes is a step forward in the right direction towards the top, BLACKLIST is sure to be loaded with big-beats and intricate rhymes that contain all the ingredients necessary to make an epic impact on listeners once again and establish Trenton P as a recognizable force in modern-day hip-hop as he takes over 2017.
Exposed Vocals: So tell us your story. Where did you grow up? What made you decide to become an artist?
First off I just want to say thank you for the interview. I was born in St. Louis, but I grew up in Glen Carbon, IL about 20 minutes north of STL. You know I was always in love with music and all of my friends where in a band. I wanted to do something as well. I guess I just got attached to hip hop at an early age.
Exposed Vocals: Since everyone was a start-up once, can you give any smaller or local bands or artists looking to get gigs and airplay some tips?
Well you know I love helping out up and coming artist. It seems like a lot of people don’t, I guess it’s just because they figure they had to struggle or see them as competition as to where I see it as an opportunity I’m a business man lol. I would say that artist need to make sure they are working with professional people. They need to make sure they own all the rights to their music and definitely need to make sure their vocals are mixed properly. As far as shows go you have to start selling tickets and make sure you out sell everyone in your area. Hand deliver your tickets and be personal with the fans. This is a business but if you’re only in it for the money you will fail.
Exposed Vocals: Do you ever make mistakes during performances? How do you handle that?
Absolutely I’m not perfect. I just keep going. I don’t stop. If you don’t make it into a big deal nobody will notice. You just have to keep practicing and perfecting your craft. Mot locals only get about a 10-20 min set. That is a short amount of time to try and win a crowd over. Just be yourself and everything will work itself out.
Exposed Vocals: Do you tour? Anything interesting happen on tour that you think our readers would enjoy hearing about?
I had about 30 shows in 2016 as I have been focusing on my new album. We are wanting to go on 2 40-60 city tour runs in 2017. I think the most interesting thing about touring is that you get to see different places and meet new people. The craziest thing I have seen on the road is I was on my way to a show in Atlanta and we stopped into a gas station about 2 hours outside of GA that had just got robbed. Everyone was okay though but I don’t know if they ever caught the person.
Exposed Vocals: Any planned studio upgrades? What are you working with now?
Right now I work with Sam Maul at Shock City Studios in St. Louis. It basically like my second home. I’m not positive on the exact equipment list he has but he sure knows how to use it. He is great to work with. As far as upgrades go I’m currently working on getting my in home studio finished basically just a sound proof room to relax and write in.
Exposed Vocals: How do you find ways to promote your music? What works best for you?
You know we try a lot of different things. The industry is always changing. We use platforms anything from the Old school flyers/word of mouth to reddit. We give out a lot of free merchandise and pass out about 20k plus stickers a year. A lot of my success has been word to mouth. We just hired a new PR person and she is great so that is helping out a lot as well.
Exposed Vocals: If you could perform anywhere and with any artists (Dead or Alive) where and who would it be with? Why?
That’s a really hard question. I guess I would have to say Eminem. I just feel like his lyrics are so crazy and he is a very interesting artist. Plus, I have never got to see him perform so what better way to see it then to be on stage with the man himself.
Exposed Vocals: So, what’s next? Any new upcoming projects that you want to talk about?
I am currently working on my new album titled BLACKLIST. It is going to have about 10-12 tracks on it and its probably the best work I have ever created. There are a lot of features on it, but my favorite thing about it is that it’s me being me and I haven’t rushed creating it like I have in the past. I think it what I need to take my career to the next level. So we shall see lol.
Exposed Vocals: If you weren’t making music, what would you be doing?
Well I would probably be a salesman. I love working with people and I love selling. I have always been in customer service and I defiantly bring that into the business aspect of music. I have sold semis for about 4 years now and that has defiantly provided me with a very good living.
Exposed Vocals: What should fans look forward to in the next year or so?
I am going to be releasing a lot more music, two projects and a lot of music videos. I plan on A lot more shows that will be coming to a city near you.
Exposed Vocals: Any Shout-outs?
I would like to give a shout out to all my fans, my beautiful wife Crystal, my manager Luke and Craig. Jeff Covington, UMG gaming and you guys for giving me this interview. Stay ILL
