Trinidad James Celebrates Black Business With New Short Film And Song ‘Black Owned’

[Bunchy Carter]

Trinidad James Celebrates Black Business With New Short Film And Song ‘Black Owned’
RaVal DavisContributor
Diversity & Inclusion

NEW YORK, NEW YORK - Trinidad James attends the "Uncut Gems" (Photo by Jim Spellman/WireImage)


Trinidad James has always had a way with striking visuals. His splashy and ostentatious style along with a platinum single—All Gold Everything transformed the Atlanta based rapper into an overnight celebrity back in 2012. It was one of the quickest ascensions in hip-hop history. Undoubtedly, the unmistakeable “All Gold Everything” music video, which followed a shirtless bejeweled James as he paraded through a local Georgia neighborhood, remains indelibly etched in the minds of the masses.

Thats why many may have a preconceived notion of who Trinidad James is. But if you’re basing that idea on the 2012 music video, you might be surprised. No his look and style haven’t changed substantially. He’s still flashy. But the multiplatinum rapper has actually been in a bit of a conscious period. His provocative new track and video for new single Black Owned centers on black entrepreneurship and group economics. Like a modern day griot, he warns ‘…we go broke because we don’t buy black.’

No stranger to empowering expression, James’ new single is a stamp of affirmation and personal self-actualization of both accomplishment and lessons learned. “We are battling 6000 years of systematic oppression which comes with obstacles that won’t change in a day,” he reminds on the single. “Awareness is one of the key formulas to a stronger community and I wanted to make that soundtrack as cool as possible for the grocery store owners and the restaurant owners.”

His latest visuals show exactly that—community. A master creative, James’ not only affirms his entrepreneurial power amid the track but crafts a beautiful visual narrative as he visits and highlights three black-owned businesses, including, Teyana Taylor’s NYC Junie Bee’s Nails, LA’s Simply Wholesome and Atlanta’s City Of Ink.



James also reveals his poetic side by pairing the song with elegy from poet and Teacher Monique Ameyo Constance as well as a daring visual in Tilted Crown. Uncomfortable and raw the piece challenges motifs of manhood and the relationship between black men and women. Addressing the collective pain of a community where brutalization and loss of life have become ordinary, the short makes the link between one man’s life and a community’s legacy.



In celebration of the new single, Trinidad is also partnering with WeBuyBlack – an awareness hub for any and everything #BlackOwned – to highlight several black owned businesses across the country. James started an Instagram page @imreallyblackowned; to ignite a database for all Black Owned Entities. In addition, he will be selling a specially designed sticker that will kick-off with Augmented Reality Tech set to play the new single. The sticker will cost around $5 with all proceeds going towards a fund committee that WeBuyBlack will then in turn donate to black businesses in need. Both James and WeBuyBlack will work together to repost everyone who uses the sticker to support a black owned business while encouraging fans to shop #BlackOwned and support businesses disproportionately affected by the current COVID-19 crisis.

Read more of the interview via: Trinidad James Celebrates Black Business With New Short Film And Song ‘Black Owned’

 

[Bunchy Carter]

Tell me about the new single Black Owned and what inspired it? How does it connect with the overall theme of the album? Is this same theme of black ownership throughout the album?

Black Owned is a song on my next album for the streets but not from a cliché perspective of brothers on the corner hustling. The real streets. The grocery store owners, gas station owners, carwash, restaurant etc. It’s an anthem for the working class of the world. Which is not just a black thing, but the type of awareness we need to build upon, in order to break stigmas held against black entrepreneurs. This is my 4th Single/Video from my next full length project and each one has its own mantra to it. ‘Playli$T’ (Sign Yourself) ‘U.G.L.Y’ (U Gotta Love Yourself) ‘Jame$ Woo Woo’ (Control Your Own Narrative) and now ‘Black Owned,’ which is an anthem on Ownership. These songs illustrate and personify my mission to bring more awareness to Black empowerment.

There are a myriad of black owned businesses featured in the Black Owned music video. What inspired the visuals behind Black owned? How many neighborhoods did you visit? What made you select these particular businesses and neighborhoods?

Awareness music is just as important as voting. To awaken people, you have to find a medium they can relate to sometimes. So, for the main part of the video, I went to some of the traditional American hubs for business. In Atlanta I chose City Of Ink, where I received most of my tattoos from different black tattoo artists in that shop. Even got a real tattoo that says Black Owned during the shooting of the video. For Los Angeles, I chose Simply Wholesome which is a Caribbean Vegan restaurant and grocery store in one. I chose them because at night the lights and architecture within their establishment is simply beautiful. I love the concept of healthy-eating and also providing our community chances to do the same. I love businesses that make sense. We need more healthy choices in urban communities. Also, the owner is originally from Trinidad, the Home team! Now, I chose Junie Bee Nails in Harlem NYC because Teyana Taylor owns it and I love to support artists when they venture out to things outside of music. I also really love to get my nails done. So it was a win-win for me shooting in her location.

A short film accompanies the single. Tell me more about the decision to create a short film. What inspired this work?

For "Tilted Crown" which is a poem from Poet, Teacher Monique Ameyo Constance that was sent to me as I was reaching out to her. I’ve always known how well versed she is with topics dealing with Black History and Black Culture. I wanted references of powerful speeches from women of color for skits on my album this time. I gave her the concept and she sent over examples; so when I heard her poem, I had to bring it to life. I explained to her what I wanted the idea to be and she hired a team and shot it herself. She and her team shot in a location I desired, New Orleans, another one of my selected hubs. For Our Piece with ‘Tilted Crown’ we wanted to show the similarities in what Queens look like. The African Head wrap that Ms. Constance graces on her Crown draws similarities to ancient Egyptian Royalty. Ms. Constance wanted to show you the constant struggle and cycle of Young Black Men and Women stuck in a system of oppression, using sex to numb the pain of dealing with society. For love we all do crazy things but sometimes we need to look at the source of our crazy. Where is it coming from? Out the sky or out of own neighborhoods? Beyoncé visual albums have been my biggest influence for years now because she is literally in a class of her own. I adore it and love and aspire to create on that same level.

Tell us about your experience visiting different black-owned businesses and how this project aims to support them?

Each black owned business that I got the honor of gracing came with different energy. Most of it was welcoming. You realize that the tougher cities sometimes show the most love. It’s a community thing. Some locations I’ve been supporting for a while so it feels right at home and for the new places a new experience that I enjoyed. With my new single It gives me more of a chance to shine light on new places as the year continues. Even when I order with Uber Eats or Postmates I’m being mindful of whom I’m supporting. That definitely doesn’t mean that I only order from Black Owned restaurants but when I can I try my best to. Especially during these COVID-19 times where small business owners are getting the worst end of the stick.

Given the current time and certain divisive conversations, what is your goal with the single with regard to Black entrepreneurs?

Dropping a single during COVID-19 is inspirational to say the least because it shows anyone looking up to me that I didn't let anything get in my way. I’m a fully independent label and artist. Every move they see get made, whether its hype or not comes out of my pocket or I had to work to make it happen. So dropping a powerful record like ‘Black Owned’ during these times where people are looking for that Spring/Summer fun, shows strength and how much I care about my listeners mindsets. Empowering them to remember who support and why you support them even in the midst of your fun and your "turn UP".

Unlike many artists you own your own label—Gold Gang Records. Can you speak to the importance of artist having ownership and your relationship with ADA/ Warner?

Like I said before my listeners "Mindset" is key. Once you control the mind you control the body. I will be the first to tell you that I don’t wish my business struggles on any young person coming up behind me. I enjoy working harder than smarter. Most people in life tell the goal is to be the opposite. But whatever you prefer, having ownership is still key for the long run. Don’t give away power you could've controlled because you didn't want to take the time to understand what’s going on. Financial literacy and creative control hold the same weight.

Working with ADA a Chapter of Warner Music is prime example of understanding your limitations if you care to see real growth. I did it all on my own a few times before on the past and sometimes I made nothing back, sometimes i made back what I spent and sometimes i even doubled my investment. But more importantly I realized I wanted more for my career and my music deserved more. That’s where a good team comes in. No one wins the championship by themselves. Every player plays a part . Understanding your weakness and not allowing pride or old energy to affect your new plays and new money is important. Don’t let anyone tell you different. You must adapt to attract new customers.

What have you learned about yourself during the process of creating this project?

For Black History Month this year I decided I wanted to eat a different black owned restaurant every day. It was a leap year so 29 days. I made it to 24 restaurants. That mindset of waking up and having to plan where I’m going to eat really started to make me look at other things in Black Culture. Especially when it came to the faults I think certain restaurants had. I felt it should be more healthy choice in the black owned community. Should have more late night healthy options also. The lack of Black owned restaurants in nice communities and cities. The inner city needs more people of color in business.

What do you hope is the overall impact of this work?

With the overall project I truly hope my black community appreciates it. I’m always working for my true fans but we need more support. With this album people will get a true glimpse of the level I’m performing at and what is to come because I’m just getting started in my mind. Marathons only. See you at the finish line.

What do you want people to know most about this project?

The main thing I want people to take from this is, that the person delivering this message in black owned and my album coming soon. [I’m] the same person you quit on. Don’t quit on the culture, cause I didn't quit on you.

Via: Trinidad James Celebrates Black Business With New Short Film And Song ‘Black Owned’

 

[Booker T Garvey]

Kudos to him for bringing awareness to this and also the visuals.
I just wish that song had a more positive message though

 

[TRY GOD]

Bump

 

[audemarzz]

Glad I saw this

 

[The M.I.C.]

It’s been eight years since AGE? Wow, time really does fly.

 

[Unknown Poster]

bump...

New Trinidad Jame$!!!