Trina
Background information
Birth name	Katrina Laverne Taylor
Born	(1978-12-03) December 3, 1978 (age 33)
Origin	Miami, Florida, United States
Genres	Hip hop
Occupations	Rapper, songwriter, model
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Atlantic Records (2000–2005) Slip-n-Slide Records (2000–2011) EMI (2007–present) DP Entertainment (2007–present) BMajor Music Group (2010-present)
Website	thebaddestchick.com

Katrina Laverne Taylor (born December 3, 1978),^[1] better known by her stage name Trina, is an American rapper, songwriter and model from Miami, Florida. Trina first gained notoriety in 1998 with her appearance on Trick Daddy's second studio album www.thug.com to the single "Nann Nigga". Since then she has released five moderately successful studio albums and has been named The Most Consistent Female Rapper of All-Time by XXL Magazine.^[2]

Early life[link]

Trina is of Dominican descent on her father's side;^[3][4] her mother is Afro-Bahamian.^[5] Trina's parents were separated while she was growing up. She lived in the Liberty City projects and in Pembroke Isle, Florida.^[6] She attended Miami Northwestern High School.^[7]

Music career[link]

[edit] 1998–2000: Career beginnings and Da Baddest Bitch

Miami rapper Trick Daddy approached Trina in 1998 to be featured on his song "Nann Nigga". The song was later released as the lead single from his second studio album, www.thug.com, which was released in September 1998. The single later became a hit as it reached number sixty-two on the US Billboard Hot 100 and number three on the Rap Songs chart. Thanks to the success of the single, Trina gained popularity and signed a record deal with Slip-n-Slide Records with distribution from Atlantic Records. Trina subsequently began work on her debut album.

On March 21, 2000, Trina's debut album Da Baddest Bitch was released.^[8] The album debuted at number thirty-three on the US Billboard 200 and number eleven on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.^[9] Da Baddest Bitch was certified Gold in November 2000 by the RIAA.^[10] It stayed on the Billboard 200 chart for twenty-nine weeks and on the Hip-Hop/R&B album chart for forty-nine consecutive weeks.^[11]

The album was preceded by the lead single "Da Baddest Bitch" in February 2000. The single failed to chart on any chart but the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, on which it reached number sixty-four. The second and final single from the album, "Pull Over", was released in June 2000 and became a mild hit as it reached number ninety-three on the Hot 100, number forty-six on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number forty-one on the Rap Songs chart.^[12][13]

[edit] 2000–2003: Diamond Princess

After promotion for her debut album ended in mid-2000, Trina began recording music with Missy Elliott to create her second studio album.^[1] Recording sessions lasted from 2000 to 2002.

On August 27, 2002, Trina released her second album Diamond Princess.^[14] The album debuted at number fourteen on the Billboard 200 and number five on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart. It sold 67,000 units in its first week.^[15]

The album spawned three singles. The lead single, "Told Ya'll", featuring Rick Ross reached number sixty-four on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. [3], was released in July 2002. The second single, "No Panties", featuring Tweet was released in January 2003 but only reached number eighty-eight on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. However, it became her first single to chart outside of the US, as it reached number forty-five on the UK Singles Chart. The third and final single from the album, "B R Right", featuring Ludacris, was also released in January 2003 and reached number eighty-three on the Hot 100, number fifty on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number twenty-four on the Rap Songs chart, becoming a fairly successful single.

[edit] 2005: Glamorest Life

Trina's third studio album, Glamorest Life, was released on October 4, 2005.^[16] The album debuted at number eleven on the Billboard 200,^[17] number two on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number two on the Top Rap Albums chart. It sold 77,000 units in its first week.^[15]

The album was preceded by the lead single, "Don't Trip", featuring Lil Wayne, in June 2005. The single wasn't largely successful, however, as it only reached number seventy-four on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart. The second and final single from the album, "Here We Go", featuring Kelly Rowland, was released in September 2005. The single reached seventeen on the Hot 100, number eight on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number three on the Hot Rap Songs chart. The single also reached the Top 20 in most countries worldwide, becoming Trina's first majorly successful single. The single was certified Gold in the US in June 2006.^[10] In 2007, Trina left Atlantic Records and signed to EMI in conjunction with her original label, Slip-n-Slide Records.^[18]

[edit] 2007–2008: Mixtapes, Still Da Baddest, Pretty Money

In 2007, Trina began work on her fourth studio album. To give fans a preview of the upcoming album, Trina released two mixtapes: Rockstarr Royalty and the Baddest Chick 2: Reloaded. Both were largely successful, with the first being released in early 2007 and the latter being released in the fall of 2007. Trina originally planned for her fourth studio album to be released in February 2008, but the album was delayed by a few months in order for Trina to put "finishing touches" on the record.^[19]

Trina's fourth studio album, Still da Baddest was released on April 1, 2008.^[19] The album reached number six on the Billboard 200, number one on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart and number one on the Top Rap Albums chart, becoming Trina's first album to top charts. First week sales were 47,000.^[20]

Trina's fourth studio album was preceded by the lead single "Single Again" in November 2007. The single reached number twenty-five on the Bubbling Under Hot 100, number fifty-nine on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number nineteen on the Rap Songs chart, becoming a mild hit. The second single from the album, "I Got a Thang for You", featuring Keyshia Cole, was released in February 2008 and reached number twenty-one on the Bubbling Under Hot 100 and number fifty-nine on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, making it a fairly successful single. The third and final single from the album, "Look Back at Me", featuring Killer Mike, produced by Hard Hat Productions was a regional hit club record.

In 2008, Trina created the Miami-based female rap duo, Pretty Money, with members Nisha and An-G. The group was to be featured on Trina's fifth studio album, but this never came about. The duo has yet to release any music.^[21] Following the creation of the group, Trina began work on her fifth studio album in 2009, and in 2010.

[edit] 2009–2010: Amazin'

The lead single from her fifth studio album, "That's My Attitude", was released in October 2009 but failed to chart. Because of this, the song was dubbed a buzz single. A mixtape, Amazin' (The Mixtape), was released in November 2009 in promotion of her fifth studio album. Another mixtape, The Definition Of A Million Dollar Girl, was released in January 2010 following the release of her fifth studio album's lead single. Nude pictures of Trina leaked in February 2010, and Trina appeared on The Mo'Nique Show in March 2010 to address the leaking of the pictures.

Trina's fifth studio album, Amazin', was released on May 4, 2010. Amazin' debuted at number thirteen on the Billboard 200, number four on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, number two on the Top Rap Albums chart and number one on the Billboard Independent Albums chart. The album sold over 32,000 copies in its first week of release.^[22][23] Despite its low sales, the album received near positive reviews from critics.

The album was preceded by the official lead single, "Million Dollar Girl" featuring Diddy and Keri Hilson, in January 2010. The single was mildly successful, as it reached number sixty-one on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and number twenty on the Rap Songs chart. A second single, "White Girl", featuring Flo Rida and Git Fresh, was released in June 2010 but failed to chart. "My Bitches" was going to be released as the album's third single in July 2010 but its release was canceled. The album's third official single, "Always", featuring Monica, was released in August 2010 and has reached number forty-two on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart.

[edit] 2011–present: Diamonds Are Forever, Split from Slip-N-Slide, Upcoming sixth studio album

In preparation for her upcoming sixth studio album, Trina released a mixtape entitled Diamonds Are Forever on March 28, 2011.^[24] Prior to the full release, Trina released three singles from the mixtape, which includes "Ghetto" featuring T-Pain, "Waist So Skinny" featuring Rick Ross, and "Can I" featuring Mýa. The mixtape was successful, receiving 4.8 million views in two days.^[25] In a recent interview with MTVuk, Trina says that her sixth album is expected to be out by the end of the year and that there will be more pop/crossover music on the album. Trina is the only female hip hop artist, besides Missy Elliott and, to work on a sixth album.^[26][27] On May 17, 2011, Trina released the next single from her mixtape "Long Heels Red Bottoms".^[28]

On November 9, 2011, Trina announced on MTV RAPFIX Live that she is no longer signed to Slip-N-Slide Records.

Trina has an upcoming single called Outerspace it is set to be featured on upcoming episode of June Ambrose new show on VH1 “Styled by June". Outerspace also features new pop artist Kid Cadet and is produced by Vinny Venditto and a sneak peek of Outer Space video will be feature on VH1′s Styled by June. During a recent 2012 appearance on MTV RAPFIX Live, Trina announced she would be working with fellow rapper Rick Ross on her sixth studio album.

On Memorial Day 2012, Trina released "I'm Back (Back 2 Business)" via LimeLinx in preparation for another mixtape before her 6th studio album.

Discography[link]

• Da Baddest Bitch (2000)
• Diamond Princess (2002)
• Glamorest Life (2005)
• Still da Baddest (2008)
• Amazin' (2010)

Mixtapes[link]

• Trina & Pretty Money - Millionaire’s Girls Club
• Trina - Trick-or-Trina
• Trina & Qwote - Best of Both Worlds (Ladies Edition)
• Trina - Trina Introduces: Victoria Balenciaga
• Trina - The Definition of a Million Dollar Girl
• Trina - Amazin’ (The Mixtape)
• Trina & Pretty Money - C.R.E.A.M.
• Trina - Rockstarr: The Baddest Bitch Reloaded
• Trina - Who’s Bad?
• Trina - Rockstarr Royalty
• Trina - Diamonds Are Forever

Awards and nominations[link]

• EME Awards^[31]

• 2011: International Friend of Reggae Honoree

References[link]

^[32]

External links[link]

• Trina on Myspace