Found in the Inbox: Trina and Tory Lanez Keep It Real on “Damn!”

Katrina “Trina” Taylor, the platinum Miami rapper known as the “Diamond Princess,” took “Damn!” to the strip club, and the Rive Video Promotion campaign for the single made clear that the setting was a deliberate choice.

“Fun, diverse, and realistic”

“I wanted the visuals to be fun, diverse, and realistic with the women that was portrayed in it,” Trina told Complex, in comments the campaign shared. “Strip clubs, the atmosphere, the music – this is all apart of our culture daily! Seeing women of all shapes and curves who are confident in their own skin…with their own flaws, yet still can turn heads.”

A second collaboration with Tory Lanez

“Damn!” features Grammy-nominated Toronto rapper Tory Lanez, who was on set and co-directed the video. It is the second collaboration between the two. “The chemistry amongst Tory and I was positive as we work great together when we collab,” Trina said. The shoot happened in Philadelphia because Lanez was on tour: “I came all the way to Philly to shoot this video because Tory is on tour, and I had to make it happen.”

The road to a new album

The campaign tied the single to Trina’s first album since 2010’s Amazin’, which featured Lil Wayne, K. Michelle, Plies and 2 Chainz. Trina had signed an imprint venture with Penalty Entertainment (Sony RED) and The Executive Club Worldwide, with executive production from songwriter-producer Rico Love, whose credits include Beyoncé, Usher, Trey Songz, T.I. and Future. “The Trina brand is one of the most prevalent brands within the Hip Hop industry,” Penalty president and CEO Neil Levine said.

Why it was in the inbox

“Damn is going to be a huge record to start off the new year,” Trina predicted. The video’s point is just as clear: confidence comes in every shape.

Watch the official video

Quotes and release details from Rive Video Promotion’s campaign for “Damn!” ft. Tory Lanez, including Trina’s comments to Complex. This feature updates Exposed Vocals’ original March 2017 post.