Everything You Need To Know About Trippie Redd

As even the most casual hip-hop fan knows, Soundcloud and the rappers it has produced have become a hot topic of debate in the genre in recent years. Playboi Carti, Ski Mask the Slump God, Lil Yachty, and Lil Pump are just a few of the artists who fall under the “Soundcloud rapper” umbrella, and have already become some of hip-hop’s newest and brightest stars. Ohio native Trippie Redd is one of the latest to enjoy his official moment in the spotlight; he released two official mixtapes in 2017: A Love Letter To You and A Love Letter To You 2, and his debut album Life’s a Trip finally arrived on August 10.

Trippie Redd’s music is a melting pot of all of his inspirations, from hip-hop to rock to R&B. He has specifically cited Drake, Kiss, Nirvana, Kanye West, and J. Cole as artists he listens to regularly and draws inspiration from. The combination of these sounds makes for an interesting listen, as do his own views on his music. He’s made it known that though he does make music about his emotions (“Luv Scars,” “How You Feel”), he doesn’t consider himself an “emo rapper,” and that even though his rise in popularity began on Soundcloud, he doesn’t consider himself a Soundcloud or mumble rapper. On a less flattering note, he has also been part of an ongoing feud with Tekashi 6ix9ine, and was arrested in Atlanta in June for aggravated assault and battery after allegedly pistol whipping a woman (the rapper has denied the claims).

In two years, Trippie Redd has developed a considerable amount of buzz, working with artists like Travis Scott, Chief Keef, and Young Thug. He has also become one of hip-hop’s most polarizing young personalities due to his multiple run-ins with the law and abuse allegations. As his rise continues, you’ll probably want to keep an eye on him, and this explainer is a great place to start. We’ve covered everything from the meanings behind his face tattoos to his religious beliefs to his musical influences. Here’s everything you need to know about Trippie Redd.

How His Music Career Began

Trippie got his start in middle school. As he said on No Jumper, his late brother was also an artist. "I really just took music on as trying to live out his dream and live out mine at the same time." And, as he told Pigeons & Planes, "The moment I knew that this was gonna be my career is when I first started actually recording."

What He Was Called Before Trippie Redd

Trippie Redd didn't always go by that name. He was once, he said on Big Boy's Neighborhood, Trippie Hippie. "But it was a group named Trippie Hippie, so I changed my s**t to Trippie Redd."

The Rock Influence

Trippie hails from Canton, Ohio, the same city as Marilyn Manson, so it follows that there's some rock influence in his music. "I did alternative rock before," he told Pigeons & Planes. "That's why my style is the way it is now." His favorite bands, he said on The Real After Party, include System of a Down, Kiss, and Nirvana.

Where His Style Comes From

Trippie calls his music a mix of hip-hop, R&B, alternative rock, and pop. "Put 'em together, and that's Trippie Redd's style, basically," he told Pigeons & Planes. Since his tastes are eclectic, so is his beat selection. "I don't really care what type of beat it is,' he said on No Jumper. "As long as it appeals to my ear, I'm gonna do a song to it."

Why He Left Ohio

Ohio birthed artists like Bone Thugs-n-Harmony and Kid Cudi, but Trippie eventually realized he couldn't stay in his home state if he planned to pursue rap. It started with leaving Canton for Columbus. "I wasn't f**king with Columbus after that, either," he told Pigeons & Planes. Trippie's next stop was Atlanta. "Now I'm going everywhere."

The Tattoo Came Before the Song

Trippie has said he knew "Love Scars" would be a hit. But he had its title tattooed on him before he recorded the song. "I just got it tatted on my face, and then, ever since after that, I made a song after the tat, and that s**t just blew up," he told Pigeons & Planes. "I knew it was gonna blow up. I felt it—just the energy I gave in that song, the vibe."

He Doesn't Consider Himself a Mumble Rapper

Like many of his peers, Trippie's been saddled with the "mumble rapper" label—something he disputes. "I don't particularly feel like I'm a part of that," he said on Big Boy's Neighborhood. Though he admits he's made music that falls into the category, "it don't really sound like that...'Cause I don't mumble; I really say this s**t...I can rap, I can sing, I can do whatever." He also puts himself in a class apart from most so-called SoundCloud rappers. "I got followers on SoundCloud, don't get me wrong, but I'm more poppin' on Spotify, anyway," he said on The Real After Party.

And He Says He's No Emo Rapper

Critics have also called Trippie an emo rapper. Not so, he told The Real After Party. "I'm not emo. I've never been emo." And while that label may owe, in part, to his aforementioned "Love Scars" tattoo, he's said that's not what it symbolizes. "I wasn't on no emo s**t. Me and Kodie Shane both got that s**t, and we was just on our little sad wave, 'cause we make a lot of sad R&B songs. It ain't no emo s**t."

The Meaning of '14'

Trippie has the number 14 tatted on his face. As he told Pigeons & Planes, it has two meanings. "I grew up on a street called 14th Street," he said. There's also a religious connection. "I have a real spiritual family. My grandma that stay on that street is real spiritual, too...There's a 1400 angel; there's a 14 angel. All that s**t tie into some angelic s**t." The numbers recur in his daily life.

He Once Called XXXTentacion His Best Friend

Trippie and XXXTentacion used to be tight. Trippie appeared on the embattled rapper's 17 album and referred to him as his best friend. More recently, though, he's sent shots his way, accusing XXX of switching sides in his months-long beef with 6ix9ine. Trippie and XXX have since exchanged forgiving words, but this month Trippie accused his one-time friend of stealing his style and called more attention to his court cases.

He Still Has Beef With 6ix9ine

Trippie's beef with the Brooklyn rapper dates to last summer, after news that 6ix9ine had pleaded guilty to a sex crime surfaced. The former collaborators went back and forth for months before they appeared to squash it on Instagram. But the beef was back on earlier this month, when the two went at it again, with Trippie saying 6ix9ine "wouldn't be s**t without me." They both recently went back and forth on Instagram, using each other's plaques as floor mats while use the bathroom.

He Wants More Respect for His Bars

Songs like "Dark Knight Dummo" may highlight Trippie's abilities as a singer, but he doesn't want to be slept on as a rapper. "I make real hip-hop," he told Pigeons & Planes, referring to songs like "Can You Rap Like Me?" "I can do that." He counts Drake, Kanye, Doom, and J. Cole among his favorite rappers.

He's Not a Satanist

Trippie's use of the number 666 has invited controversy. But he's not, he said on Instagram in March, a Satanist. The number has a deeper meaning to him. "Six protons, six neutrons, six electrons. Melanin in black people's skin. Do your research," he explained. "Now, why I say TR666? Because Trippie Redd is black, but Trippie Redd is also dark. I make dark music, but I'm black, so I use it as a metaphor."