Written by: Trill Nadia

A thick smog lingers over the skyline of Houston, like a cloud of doom hovering over the city as temperatures soar to 100+ degree temperatures. Thousands of people commute through this large city daily, going about their routine lives. No matter where you go, no matter what the environment is like, no matter how many people smile as you pass them on the street, things are never what they seem. Forget your executive position at that swanky firm, forget the Galleria, forget the ball games, forget the fancy cars, forget any comfort that the city reminds you of. People look through the glass from the other side, that struggle daily, and only dream of these luxuries. If there is one person who never forgets, it’s Houston rapper Trae, the truth, one we like to consider part of the “Trill”.

In 2008, Trae became the first rapper to be honored by the Mayor of Houston with a Holiday, due to his large role in the community. July 22nd of each year is now dubbed “Trae Day” in his honor. During the free of charge celebration, thousands of families attend the event to receive free school supplies and HIV testing, while the children participate in various activities and enjoy rides. The afternoon gets capped off with a free concert from Trae and some of his industry friends. This is all funded by Trae’s own pocket. To the community, Trae is a mortal savior of some sorts, providing hope that good still exists in an evil world.

In 2009, violence overshadowed the great success of the event as the afternoon of festivities ended in gun fire. Evil had reared its head once again. This, along with some words from Trae on a mixtape, led to the eventual ban of his music from RadioOne owned stations 97.9 The Box in Houston and Dallas’ 97.9 The Beat. The company claims that Trae’s lyrical content attracts the wrong kind of people.

Fast forward to 2010, reports have surfaced that several fights, and all-out-brawls, broke out in the parking lot at this year’s 97.9 The Box sponsored HIV concert. So help me understand, please, what is their definition of “bad people,”? While I commend 97.9 for insisting individuals take an HIV test in order to attend their concert, it is hard for me to have any respect for them. The stations previous attempts to convince people that Trae is some sort of criminal for lyrical content is hypocritical at best, considering the fact that several of the acts performing at the HIV Hip-Hop awareness concert have similar material (if not much worse). Clearly their concert attracted equally violent beings – in droves. If they truly felt so strongly about the unfortunate event that occurred at Trae Day last year, their airplay would practically be non-existent. So what is their REAL purpose for the ban?

To insinuate that Trae’s music would have something to do with the violence that occurred at Trae Day last year is quite outlandish. Saying the music was at fault for the brawls at 97.9’s HIV concert would be equally ridiculous. People have to be held responsible for their own actions at some point in their life. Needless to say, why would Trae, or 97.9, want to reach out to families only to place them in danger? They wouldn’t.

Trae is not a sinister character and we NEED more entertainers like him in our communities. Trae could easily be like any other celebrity, spending his money at strip clubs, on cars, clothes, etc… but instead, he gives back to the community that supports him….and that’s TRILL. Nobody assumes anyone would pull a gun out at a public event with children present. As unsettling as it might be, these things just happen.

H. Rap Brown once stated “Violence is as American as cherry pie.” I feel it is important to realize that there will always be those capable of committing violent acts, possibly, for no reason whatsoever, wherever we go.

In conclusion, the feud between Trae and Radio One will not benefit either party. The musicians need the exposure airplay provides and the radio stations need the musicians to keep the audience riveted. Both parties will obviously retain a fan-base, with or without the other, but why can’t we just work together to help grow the bases? To help enrich our community. For the sake of keeping music trill, please put Trae back on the radio. Not just for Trae, but for the community.

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