Trick Trick

"There's a way out of everything; I should know," Trick-Trick rumbles in

a thick, guttural tone edged with both menace and a refreshing

sarcastic jest. He's beat the case before; most famously murder

charges a few years back (thus the provocative title). "I wrote a lot

of songs while I was in there," he says, reminiscing about the months

he spent in prison in 2004 before he was found not guilty. "Got

through it. I've been going through a lot of obstacles that people

kept putting in front of me. These were not obstacles that I've been

putting in front of myself." The case may be closed, but the musical

journey Christian Mathis aka Trick-Trick has blazed is definitely

still open for discussion - loud, raw, and 7-Mile hard. 7-Mile Road,

one mile south of the infamous 8-Mile, has its own legacy rich in

Detroit heritage and a distinct ride-or-die attitude. Growing up on

7-Mile, Trick-Trick learned to love music from his mother who used to

sing backup for jazz legend Alberta Adams. He also grew up listening

to funk; soul and gospel music at home, some of his early musical

memories include Phil Collins and George Clinton. Eventually,

Trick-Trick picked up percussion as well as all the instruments in the

church. "When I came up in the school it wasn't about rap then; it was

about music," he says, with more than a tinge of pride in his voice.

Trick-Trick came full circle and began to listen to rap naming hip-hop

legends Run DMC, NWA, and Public Enemy as his influences. He also

picked up the name Trick, at an early age. A nicknamed he earned for

his skillful ploys, wooing the neighborhood girls. Later, he changed

the name to play off his best friend and label-mate Click-Click.

Trick-Trick cultivated his early sound when he signed his first deal

with Click-Click's label, Click Boom Records in 1992, but his path to

musical success did not come without a struggle. When he was a

teenager, his father left the house. As the oldest boy in the house,

Trick-Trick turned to the streets and fell into the pitfalls of

hustling that ended with a prison sentence. When he hit the streets as

a grown man, he devoted himself to a new hustle-the music game. From

these shadows, Trick-Trick the artist emerges - both a former gang

member and an accomplished musician in the church. This duality as an

artist and hustler makes for a strong, survivor. And it is this

Trick-Trick, who emblazons every second of The People Vs. affirming

his status as a true star with the potential for global impact, a rare

talent who can inflame both the music studio and the stage, as he

proved on last year's impressive opening segment on Eminem's Anger

Management Tour. One of the most respected players in Detroit's

hip-hop scene, Trick-Trick has armed his Motown Records debut, The

People Vs. with his own quick-witted verbosity along with

collaborations with Eminem, Jazzy Pha, and D-12's Mr. Porter. The

album stands as a testament to his aggressive lyrical flair, with the

multi-instrumentalist (key board, guitar, and drums) and producer

displaying razor sharp mic skills and the kind of dogged determination

that puts him in a class by himself. His noted compatriot Eminem helps

capture such a mood on "Welcome to Detroit," the opening salvo on The

People Vs., the perfect introductory track for an up and comer like

Trick-Trick. Eminem not only produces the track but he also spits a

verse and a hook big upping Trick-Trick in characteristic style,

paying homage to the force he brings from the gritty streets to the

club. Word is Eminem expressed an interest to work with Trick-Trick

over a decade ago, making more than good on that promise by producing

two tracks on The People Vs. Trick-Trick's lyrics also help define the

enigmatic rapper. His personal calling card, "My Name is Trick-Trick."

which he wrote and produced, became an instant Detroit underground

classic, with a syncopated hook and an autobiographical account of

Trick-Trick's personal struggles. He's also rocked the local music

charts prior to The People vs., making hits that became easily

identifiable, throw-your hands in the air club classics, like "Booty

Bounce." This dance-floor sensibility is echoed in the Jazzy Pha

produced body-rockin "Attitude Adjustment," another song that provides

insight into the mercurial star. It's already well known in Detroit

circles that - whether in the cipher or in the streets - Trick-Trick

is not someone you want on your bad side. He explains the constant

presence of his two hulking bodyguards. "They're not here to protect

me; they're here to protect y'all, to keep me from getting to anybody

I want to get to." From his overwhelming physical presence and steely

eyes, its evident he's not joking. On "Let's Scrap," a joint featuring

his younger brother Diezel, the troops are riled by his battle cries.

But it's Trick-Trick's raw combination of vulnerability and street

edge that makes him that much more believable. "I'm a cancer. I go

into my shell," he theorizes. "I like to be bothered with the least

amount of people as possible. That's why I like to be myself. In

Detroit they got they own cliques. I've always been to myself." Such

tenacious focus has fostered his range of skills that include acting

in feature films such as 2004's award-winning MVP and directing music

videos. With The People Vs. Trick-Trick delivers a testimony that is

at once, riveting, powerful, and raucous - and like all the truly

memorable hip-hop manifestos - it's based heavily on undeniable

personal truths. "I felt like a portion of my life was in court. I had

to battle it out and come out on top," he philosophizes. "I put down a

lot of the issues that I went through and lot of the different things

that upset me on The People Vs. My album was real human." Look out for The "Villain"