Trina
Katrina Laverne Taylor (born December 3, 1978),[1][2] known professionally as Trina, is an American rapper. She rose to prominence in the late 1990s for her collaborations with Trick Daddy on the singles "Nann Nigga", "Shut Up", and "Take It to da House". In 2000, she released her debut album Da Baddest Bitch. Afterwards, she made an appearance on the remix of "One Minute Man" by Missy Elliott and Ludacris. In 2002, she released the Kanye West-produced single "B R Right" featuring Ludacris, from her sophomore album Diamond Princess (2002).
For other uses, see Trina (disambiguation).
Trina's third album Glamorest Life (2005), spawned the hit single "Here We Go" featuring Kelly Rowland, which was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Her follow-up album Still da Baddest (2008), peaked within the top ten on the Billboard 200, and reached number one on the US R&B/Hip-Hop Albums. In 2010, she released her fifth album Amazin', which featured the Lady Gaga co-penned track "Let Dem Hoes Fight", as well as collaborations with Diddy, Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, and Rick Ross.
She has been described by XXL as "the most consistent female rapper of all time".[3] In 2014, Trina was included in Billboard's list of the "31 Female Rappers Who Changed Hip-Hop".[4]
Early and personal life[edit]
Katrina Laverne Taylor was born on December 3, 1978, in Miami, Florida.[2][5] She grew up in the Liberty City area of Miami, Florida.[6] Her father is Dominican,[7][8][9] while her mother, Vernessa Taylor,[10] was Bahamian.[9] They separated when Trina was a child. She attended Miami Northwestern Senior High School,[11][12] where she was a majorette,[13] and where she graduated. Taylor initially educated herself towards becoming a real estate agent, before switching her career path to music.
Trina's brother, Wilbrent Bain Jr., was murdered in a shooting in 2013.[14] Her mother, Vernessa Taylor, died at age 62 after a struggle with cancer in September 2019.[15] In July 2022, Trina's niece was killed.[16]
Career[edit]
Breakthrough, Da Baddest Bitch (1998–2000)[edit]
In 1998, Trina was studying to get her real estate license,[17] when she caught the attention of Miami rapper Trick Daddy, who asked her to appear on his track "Nann Nigga". The song was released as the lead single from Trick's second studio album, www.thug.com on July 14, 1998, reaching No. 62 on the US Billboard Hot 100 and No. 3 on the Rap Songs chart. This kickstarted Trina's rap career, leading to a record deal with Slip-n-Slide Records with distribution from Atlantic Records.
On March 21, 2000, Trina released her debut album Da Baddest Bitch,[18] which debuted at No. 33 on the US Billboard 200 and No. 11 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[19] It stayed on the Billboard 200 chart for 39 weeks and on the Hip-Hop/R&B album chart for 49 consecutive weeks[20] and was certified Gold by the RIAA by November of that year.[21] The album was preceded by the singles "Da Baddest Bitch" on December 22, 1999, and "Pull Over" on February 13, 2000, which reached No. 93 on the Hot 100, No. 46 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and No. 41 on the Rap Songs chart.[22][23]
Diamond Princess (2001–2003)[edit]
Trina began working on her second album in 2001 with Missy Elliott,[24] enjoying more creative control than ever before, saying in interviews that the album was "more what Trina's about, how Trina looks, how Trina feels, the things that Trina consists of."[25] During this time, she started her own record label imprint, Diva Enterprises. In September 2002, she signed 9-year-old recording artist Lil' Brianna, who would appear on her track "Kandi" and later be known as Brianna Perry.
On August 27, 2002, Trina released her second album Diamond Princess,[26] which debut at No. 14 on the Billboard 200 and No. 5 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, selling 67,000 units in its first week.[27] The album was preceded by "Told Y'all", featuring Rick Ross, which reached No. 64 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and appeared on the soundtrack to the action comedy All About the Benjamins, and "No Panties", featuring Tweet, which reached No. 88 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart and No. 45 on the UK Singles Chart. On October 22, 2002, Trina released the album's third and final single, "B R Right", featuring Ludacris, which reached No. 83 on the Billboard Hot 100, No. 50 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and No. 24 on the Rap Songs chart.
Glamorest Life (2004–2005)[edit]
On October 4, 2005, Trina released her third studio album, Glamorest Life,[28] which debut at No. 11 on the Billboard 200,[29] No. 2 on the Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart, and No. 2 on the Top Rap Albums chart, selling 77,000 units in its first week.[27] The album was preceded by the single, "Don't Trip", featuring Lil Wayne on April 28, 2005, which reached No. 74 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and "Here We Go", featuring Kelly Rowland, on September 23, 2005, which became one of Trina's most successful singles, reaching No. 17 on the Hot 100, No. 8 on the Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, and No. 3 on the Hot Rap Songs chart and Top 20 in most countries worldwide. The single was certified Gold in the US in June 2006.[21] The album's third and final single, "Da Club", featuring Mannie Fresh, was released on November 22, 2005.
Professional wrestling[edit]
On September 21, 2022, Trina made a guest appearance on All Elite Wrestling's Dynamite program, being revealed as the celebrity guest supporting Diamante against TBS Champion Jade Cargill. Two nights later on AEW Rampage, Trina appeared in Diamante's corner during the TBS Championship match, which saw Diamante defeated by Cargill. After the match ended, Trina turned heel on Diamante; attacking her and showing her support for Cargill.
Personal life[edit]
Trina was in an on-again, off-again relationship with rapper Lil Wayne from 2005 to 2007.[54] On October 5, 2005, during an interview with Wendy Williams, she confirmed that she and Wayne were engaged to be married. Trina later became pregnant by Lil Wayne, but suffered a miscarriage.[55] The couple have matching tattoos, Trina has "Wayne" on her wrist, while Lil Wayne has "Trina" spelled out on his ring finger.[56]
Trina dated basketball player Kenyon Martin from 2007 to 2010.[57] He had the image of her lips tattooed on his neck.[57] Trina dated rapper French Montana from 2012 to 2014.
Trina began dating Raymond Taylor on 2017 and got engaged in September 2021.[58]
Trina got married to Benjamin Kearse Jr. on May 22, 2024.
Awards and nominations[edit]
Trina has received ten nominations at the BET Awards,[63][64][65][66] nine of which were for Best Female Hip-Hop Artist, and three nominations at the Soul Train Music Awards. She has received four Source Award nominations winning one.[67][68][69] She has been nominated for one American Music Award.[70] She was nominated for six awards at the 2002 MTV Video Music Awards.[71] She was nominated for one MTV Sucker Free Summit Award.[72] She has won one Golden Trailer Award for her appearance on the film A Miami Tail.[73] She has won two ASCAP Awards,[74] two BMI Awards,[75][76] one Billboard Music Award, one EME Award,[77] and one All Star Music Award.[78]