Born Katrina Laverne Taylor on April 18, 1974, in Miami, FL. Education: Completed real estate school. Addresses: Record company--Slip-N-Slide/Atlantic Records, 1290 6th Ave., New York, NY 10019. Website--Trina at Atlantic Records: http://www.atlantic-records.com/trina.

Rap musician Trina announced herself to the world in 1998 as "da baddest b***h" on the single "Nann Nigga" on Trick Daddy's album www.thug.com, and she has continued to push the envelope of rap, with often-offensive, sexually explicit lyrics. Her debut album, Da Baddest B***h, went gold, and her second album, Diamond Princess, solidified her reputation as a new queen of hard-core rap.

Born Katrina Laverne Taylor on April 18, 1974, in Miami, Florida, Trina was a popular student at Miami Northwestern High School. A majorette, she was also voted "Best Dressed" in her senior class. When she was 17, she began a relationship with Hollywood, the brother of rapper Trick Daddy, but this ended in tragedy in 1994 when Hollywood was murdered in his car. In order to make a living, Trina worked the night shift at AT&T as a telemarketer, and then got a job as an exotic dancer at a club in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. She used the money she earned through dancing to pay her tuition at real estate school, and quit dancing once she completed her studies.

In her spare time, Trina wrote rap rhymes, which caught the attention of Hollywood's brother, Trick Daddy, who needed a female rapper for his track "Nann Nigga." He was not sure that she could rhyme or deliver, but he gave her a chance. Her comment on the track that she was "da baddest b***h" led to an album of the same name in 2000. Its title track, along with a video of the song, showcased Trina's lyrics, as well as her looks and attitude, and she was an instant hit with rap fans. According to Evelyn S. McDonnell in Interview, the album, which earned gold sales certification in November of 2000, was "all street and sex."

In an interview for Crusade magazine online, Trina commented that on this album, much of the work was done for her; she did not have creative control, but simply delivered lyrics. "Everybody was like we got this beat, we got this, we got that, we want you to get in there and write to this track, write to this song, write to this topic."

For her second album, Diamond Princess, Trina was able to choose her own production, name of the songs, and write whatever she wanted to write. She told Crusade, "It's more what Trina's about, how Trina looks, how Trina feels, the things that Trina consists of."

Trina told a reporter for Black Entertainment Television that Diamond Princess was "the same thing [as Da Baddest B***h] but it's different.... I'm still the same person, still grimy, you have the ghetto reality street part of it, but it's just a more mature and stable life for me right now." That maturity and stability, she said, was the result of her success with Da Baddest B***h.

Some of the tracks on Da Baddest B***h emphasize female strength, according to Trina. Two tracks, "Ladies 1st" and "Rewind That Back," feature two strong women in the music business who are making a lot of money and who don't need men to take care of them. Some of the other songs are cautionary tales for men. One song, "No Panties," which Trina performed with female R&B singer Tweet, is also a declaration of independence by the two women. Trina told McDonnell, "The all-girl vibe is really good because everybody can speak their mind." She also told McDonnell that the album was "really fun and bright and commercial" and that sex was not its only topic. "It's just about me, going from one extreme to the next." Maxim Pozdorovkin, in the Cornell Daily Sun, wrote that although "the musical side of Diamond Princess is quite good," Trina's emphasis on material things is a "prime example of ... ridiculous content," and commented that the album "does not possess personality, wit, or intellect" and that "the game Trina plays is one of extreme crassness."

The success of Trina's two albums led to the launching of a clothing line called Diamond Princess Wear that is inspired by her personal look. "I've stepped up to the game," she told Chronic Magazine online. "I'm trying to pave a way for everybody that wants to follow in my footsteps." She told McDonnell that the clothing line was due to be launched at the beginning of 2003, and that it would be "hot, classy, sexy, edgy, glamorous, hip-hop--it's me, really. Real flamboyant." Trina did not design the clothes, but worked with a New York stylist to create the look.

Trina also started her own record label, Diva Enterprises, and by September of 2002 had signed an artist, Lil Brianna, who was ten years old and working on her first album. Lil Brianna had already appeared on the Diamond Princess track "Kandi."

Perhaps surprisingly, given the fact that some conservative and religious groups have protested against her music, Trina told Black Entertainment Television (BET) that spirituality is an important part of her life, and that she strives to serve God. "I serve him all day in my whole life. I just feel like without him, there's no me.... When you're working during the week, you're working but that don't mean you're not praising him still." She also said, in response to criticism of her explicit lyrics, "If you don't like what I'm saying, then don't listen to it." In response to rumors that she was gay or bisexual, Trina told BET, "If I chose to live a bisexual life or I'm gay or whatever, that's MY business...."

Trina, who is not married and has no children, told BET, "I'm free, I'm happy, I'm young, I'm doing whatever I want to do. I feel like anybody whether they're an entertainer or not should do that, because tomorrow's not promised." And she told McConnell that her favorite part of life is entertaining: "It's all about attitude and showing people I love them. When I'm up onstage it's all about connecting with them--they're a part of me."

by Kelly Winters

Trina's Career

Appeared on the Trick Daddy single "Nann Nigga," 1998; released debut album, Da Baddest B***h, on Slip-N-Slide label, 2000; followed with Diamond Princess, also on Slip-N-Slide, 2002; founded own record label, Diva Enterprises.

Famous Works

Recent Updates

October 4, 2005: Trina's album, Glamorest Life, was released. Source: Billboard.com, www.billboard.com/bb/releases/week_3/index.jsp, October 7, 2005.

Further Reading

Sources

PeriodicalsOnline

Visitor Comments Add a comment…

over 12 years ago

Trina I support you do you. Whatever works for you. Some people use critism to hide jealously but if God blessed you with it you deserve it don't let them or no one else stop your success let your haters be your motivaters.....love you girl!

over 13 years ago

I love trina she the best female rapper to me yea nikki a good rapper but at the end of the day trina be shitting.

over 13 years ago

trina is my favorite rapper she is so unique in all her songs and etc. trina is awesome idk how to explain.... i wish ii could rap like that but ii have some skills. :)

over 13 years ago

i love trina she the best........she so much like me thats why i take like to her;)

almost 14 years ago

i love all your music you is a strong black women

almost 14 years ago

Trina we all kno yhur dh Baddest cant nobodiie take dhat ahway from yhu fucc Nicki sha ant ghot nothin on yhu dhats why iim ghone follow iin yhur foot steps nd dhey call Trina jr.. Keep doin wat yhu do

almost 14 years ago

Hey Trina. I have been a big fan of yours since your first album. I use to sneak and listen to your CDs. My mom broke the first one. My first boyfrien use to throw your CDs away. My ex fiance ripped up your CD because i would listen to Im single again. I love all your albums. sometimes your music keep me going. Your number one fan. I thought you was suppose to be coming to Cairo Illinois

almost 14 years ago

I did not know trina till i saw her video with Miss Keli Babe Millionaira Gal... And i think she rocks on her own way, people should stop giving her names. Trina is good at what she does haters roger that!!!

about 14 years ago

Trina i love your music u are the best female rapper there is and we should be greatful to have someone like u to talk about the real stuff

about 14 years ago

Hey trina you are the best female rapper . Since 1998 and I still listen to your music you keep me going everyday. Please. Don't stop with your music I am waiting for a new album , nickie Minsk got nothing on u trina u are the best

about 14 years ago

trina is the baddest b**** and always will be nicki minaj cant never take trina place you 100% real your body not plastic like lil kim nicki and who ever else you the best female rapper and then nicki

about 14 years ago

nikki minja kame out and took over bt trina still bahd

about 14 years ago

man trina i have fell in love wit your music it means a lot to me. my favorite songz you made is and i am the baddest i am in the 9th grade and we have this project where we have to do iton somebodys life i picked you because i think you is the right person to do my project on trina i love you man the song independent i meant for me and you

about 14 years ago

Just stopping by to say hey and I LOVE YOUR MUSIC AND NOMATTER WHAT THEY SAY NIKKI AINT GOT NOTHING ON YOU, IS ARE AND WILL ALWAYS BE THE BADDEST IT GET!!!!

about 14 years ago

i really dont know trina that much buht i should check her stlye out. she probly is good based on what people are sayin about her on here...

about 14 years ago

i envy trina so much she is every thing i want to be independent confident an my talents and moving forward in not lettin no haters get in the way of my goals. she is my role model i have her pic on mirror and it inspires me to be who i am and love every bit of me no matter what people say i love her music its the truth and it cant get any realer, me and my brother are big fans of trina every since she cmae out with the song about her mother.

over 14 years ago

i nicki minaj can't mess with trina or lil kim....nicki just need come up with her own style!!!!

over 14 years ago

trina is da best female rapper and just because nicki minaj came out dont mean nothing because nicki wanna be like lil kim and trina.... i swear lil kim was calling herself a barbie first. wow

over 14 years ago

I thought Trina was the best female rapper until` Nicki Minaj came out .. but Trina still is raw it`s jus that Nikci Minaj will bloww her outt .....They both are BADD

over 14 years ago

Trina you really inspire me with all the things you do as a "female rapper" in the rap game.I know you always get people saying i am your number 1 fan,but i think you are the only one who can judge who is the number 1 fan.I just hope you continue the work that you are doing all day everyday and keep your fans close but your HATERS closer:)

over 14 years ago

Trina I love your music , I think you are the best and you inspire me. Im looking for information about you for my class project. I hope you enjoy and feel good with the fact that I chose you to do my project on well I just wanted to leave you a messege to let you know that you have fans that love you :) -summer

over 14 years ago

I think that you are the greatest female rapper there is. I love every song that you put out and will make people mad by stating the FACT of you being the best. I love you girl and just keep up the great work. Keep your head up and don't pay any attention to what people say bout you. You let women know that they are able to do any thing that they want to do no matter what anyone else says. Thank you for being you. Love ya!!!!!!!!!!

over 14 years ago

I love u so much. U are the true definition of a independent woman doing her thing real big and without shame. Keep it up boo.

over 14 years ago

hey trina jusx stoppin bye to tell yhu im yo biqqest fan ...

over 14 years ago

Nikki Manaj might be good but trina's been here longger.

over 14 years ago

Trina is the sexest rapper alive right now

over 14 years ago

NICKI MINAJ IS THE BEST RAPPER AND TRINA COMES IN SECOND

over 14 years ago

trina is the best female rapper today

over 14 years ago

hey TRINA i am your biggest fan

almost 15 years ago

You got the rythem beat the body the voice that altogether makes you a great entertainer I wish you success always just love your songs so much !!!

almost 15 years ago

you are my favorite artist love ya

almost 15 years ago

THIS IS MY Favorite Singer I Love Ya Trina

almost 16 years ago

Trina u my bi*CH I LOVE U SO MUCH.. STAY ON TOP....STILL DA BADDEST BIT*H

about 15 years ago

HEY TRINA UR THE GREATEST! KEEP DOING WHAT YEW DOING AND HOPEFULLY WHEN WE GET FAMOUS WE WILL DO A HOOK WITHCHA PEACE GIRL!

about 15 years ago

I love you to death! i wish i could meet you in person!! your my idol! your the best no matter wat

about 15 years ago

TRINA I IDOLIZE YOU A LOT. YOUR MY FAVORITE LADY RAPPER. ALSO YOU SEEM TO BE A COOL,FUNNY,AND A OUT GOING PERSON. WHO DON'T CARE WHAT ANY ONE ELSE THINK OF YOU AND I RESPECT THAT. AND I SO LIKE DIG YOUR RAPS AND SONGS ITS SOMETHING NEW. SO PEACE

about 15 years ago

trina u still my gurl do yo thing gurl u got alots of hatters in t.town. t.town means talluah

about 15 years ago

TRINA i love your music so much and i would to meet you someday!!!

about 15 years ago

dear trina you are my rolemodel if it was not for you i would not be the person iam today. iam only 17 and i work in a strip club called the centerfold to pay senior dues. i have 3 kids who keep me strong everyday. eventhough my baby daddy beat me up everyday, we are still going 4years strong.. thank you

about 15 years ago

I really like you and i look up to you! you really mean alot to me and the world.I love the way you dress!you have really changed my life

about 15 years ago

Trina I just want you to know I'm your Biggest Fan! You inspire me to follow my dreams and to succeed in life, to prove that you better than your haters and that you can do anything you put your mind too. I love the fact you keep everthing real and speaking your mind that takes heart and courage believe me I know from experience. Your life story has changed me and has made me think, about things in life, I espically like the part when you said be you do you and be the best and strive to the TOP! because you only get one chane in LIFE! Enjoy it and have no regrets at what you do. Thank you TRINA! your BIGGEST FAN! NOAH MATTHEWS

over 15 years ago

dear trina you are the only and only baddest b... i know you go girl. i understand where you come from you came from nothing now you are something you make a black women across the world feel that they can chage their life around and make something out of themselves hats off to you you are a role model and an icon love you lots trina. akivia campbell from Bainbridge Ga.

over 15 years ago

Everyone is so concerned about what is being played on the radio and all of the explict lyrics but what they are falling to be concerned with is why they are allowing their children to listen to it. Rappers dont force you to make your children or even you for that matter to listen to them. So everyone that's bitching about that just shut the hell up. And as far as what people think about you, I feel like you should let them think whatever it is that they want to think about you because at the end of the day you can only be you. Like Jesus said, "I AM WHO I AM" and only HE can judge you.

over 15 years ago

THe Best part of life, is doing what you want to do because you want to do it and not because someone else likes or dislikes it. NOt onlY do I feel Like Your the Best fEmalE rapper alive,An nt Tryn 2 sound Cliche, I feel liKe YOu are your own woman, and who wouldnt want an individual like that as someone to look up to. STay BLessed and KEep DOin YOu!!!

over 15 years ago

I enjoy listenin'ta ya music and albums,cuz u k33p it real and sho wat u be thankin' I hop3 ta take the same steps u took to become an enjoyable female rap artist.Thanx fo the music and i hope to here another song cuz we takin ovea,cuz da baddesttaught me dat.

over 15 years ago

i dont give a damn wat ppl say about Trina... she is grown young and doin her own damn thang.ppl think trina is nasty and a hoe because of how she dress and wat she says.Trina is jus keepin it real and bein trina..all hatas need to stop hatin. im a big fan of you trina. And you did a tight job performin at phantom i was up front and krunk u did good.

over 15 years ago

i really like listening to your music your smart, pretty , funny and u are my favorite singer go ahead ms. diamond princess

over 15 years ago

whats gud u my faverit raper and dont give up it dont matter what the haters might say i wish i can meet u but im alway in milwakee i hope u put my name in one of your songes i love u i''ll hit u back iight then

over 15 years ago

Im literally in love with Trina, shes my idol!! Trinbean i got youu<3<3!!

over 15 years ago

yo trina, you did wut you did in the past now you r doing good in the future and that's good. but now what i see in you is what you show to the world and others i would like you to try to atleast change your style of thinking because it's like you got your stuff together, u all good and you straight but it seems as though you can be a little or too much loose or should i say that you act and sometimes talk too wild just take control of that wilderness in you i know u r famous but stop being too fast in the pants be stable at least try to be and make positive things out of life and what life gives you and don't let things in life or just life change who u are let yourself change you as a person just teach life don't let life teach you. luv ya age 16teen by angel keep God in your heart cuz you wouldn't be where you r at now. the cards he delt you you played right but the cards he will deal you again play them right. god will take you through h*ll just to get you to heaven.

over 15 years ago

wow i love trinas life story and how she what she had to do in order to get the life that she has now. very inspiring

over 15 years ago

Hey i just wanna say that you don't have to yo talk or rap inappropriate just to be the Baddest B***h respect your self as a lady but you can do what ever you want to do cuz you are grown but i was just giving you a little advice like for instance you can curse be bad and people will disrespect you and treat you like a dog. if you want people to listen to your music you have to be clean be cuz like im just learning im in middle school sixth grade yeah i do got a bid A** boys go and smack it but like i am just learning you no and it's my buisness i think you are doing good but less Cursing

almost 16 years ago

Trina you better say that. Cause i know all about how you fell and where you are coming from. Don' t keep you title and don't let know body put you down cause you like wat you like. People are going to talk but life stills goes on and on. I should know.

almost 16 years ago

Trina you did what you had to do growing up and that's wassup. I really respect you as a women. Just keep doing you and let the haters hate,get at a dollar and pop yo collar!!!!!!

almost 16 years ago

She's straight with me, but she not all dat.I GUESS SHE STRAIGHT LOL

about 16 years ago

I LUVZZ TRINA ND 1ST N 4MOST YALL ALL ACTIN LYK YALL KN00 EVERYTHANG SHE WAT BORN IN 1975 SHE TURNING 33 DECEMBER 3 OF THIS YEAR BYCH3ZZ BUT TRINA W0RKIN

about 16 years ago

TRINA IS MY #1 GURL N THA WORLD KEEP DOIN WAT U DOIN GURLLLL !!!!!!!!! LOL

about 16 years ago

That's my boo right there!!!

over 16 years ago

trina is my gurl!

over 16 years ago

i L0VE THiS GiRL RiGHT HERE

almost 17 years ago

This biography is wrong. First of all she was born in 1978 and not in 1974. Look it up.... And the year Tricks brother died is wrong. Because since she was born in 1978 and he died in 1994 she would have only 16 when he died. He actually died at a later year. I know this because I was a promoter for Hollywood and Trick.