Today we’d like to introduce you to Tricito

Hi Tricito, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

I fell in love with Hip-Hop music early once I heard OutKast song ‘So Fresh, So Clean’. My parents didn’t really listen to rap music in the house often, mostly R&B and Christian music; whenever I was around cousins and older family members is when I got to really indulge into the world of Hip-Hop. I started making music, or writing music I should say at an early age with a few of my close friends. Any instrumental we could find, we would try to make our own versions of the song. We would record in my friend Josh Sanchez’s garage listening to 50 Cent, The Game, Li’l Wayne and a few others. Kanye West was really the turning point for me on when I wanted to actually make music and create my own songs. I always wanted to make something witty and lyrical at the same time. Another artist, Lupe Fiasco also I want to say help created my sound. Here were two guys that was the full opposite of gangster rap. They made me feel like it was cool to be the guy who wasn’t in the streets causing mischief, you could be the cool guy and still make great music. Through the years I started actually recording music and making albums. I want to say I’ve always felt like I’ve taken music seriously, but around the years of 19-21 I felt I really accepted music was my passion. I would start consistently going to a studio called Digitracks with an engineer named Dan Middleton and grow a relationship. One of the closest friends I have, Makwolf, became my main producer. Without Mak, I would not have most of the catalog that I do. He had so much faith in me that we just made project after project. Which brings me to where I am now. Through many different projects I’ve released with Makwolf and some new producers (JR Swish, Scoob Stacks, Axel Foley), I feel I have found a quality sound for myself always trying to inspire within my next project. The goal was to always inspire people through my songs and I want to propelling forward to leave a mark in history as one of the greatest to ever touch a microphone.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?

The journey for me has been an exciting one. There have been many road bumps, but it’s another part of the process. I don’t think I would want to travel down the smooth road, since there’s not much to learn or dangers to maneuver out of. I do not have a record deal, so everything I do is independent and I don’t think a lot of people sometimes get what that means. I do not have a manager so anything I do or get booked for has been for the love of music. I have never gotten paid for a show, unless I sold my own merch or music at the venues. I am fully independent. There is no budget for me. I pay for all that comes with creating a project and that includes paying for studio time, paying a producer for a beat if we do not have the same goal or even know each other. There also is the artwork to pay for, the rollout, the video shoot if there is one and those are just some pieces of the full puzzle. Getting heard is also a major factor so I have to find smart ways to get music heard whether it be making posts on social media, finding new platforms to release the music on, finding playlists to submit to, right now it is a one man army. I’m not complaining about any of it because I have full control of my business but I also know there has to be accountability for myself as well; if I’m not making money, getting listeners, doing the things I need to expand my brand and craft, I can’t be mad at anyone but myself for the end results. Self doubt has also been a part of the challenges. Sometimes you can get into your head and you see certain things and it makes you believe you are never doing enough however it’s all false. Once you put faith into yourself that can do what you were set on this earth to do, it gets easier. Another struggle for me was leaving a record label I was apart of and started called Loyalty Is Famous Music Group. Creative differences arose, and split up a great group of people who had a vision to make something of ourselves together. There is strength in numbers; it’s easier to do something as a unit than by yourself.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?

I am a rapper, a writer a performer and a composer. I specialize in writing and creating music, I also am a saxophone player (tenor and baritone). I am well known for making rap music and performing with different colored durags; also for making music that has been known to be a display of lyrical competitiveness with a twists of being the coolest playboy from Indiana just enjoying writing in his notepad. I am most proud of my project ‘The Start of Something Good’; I set out a plan and a rollout and followed it through making sure to dot all i’s and cross all t’s. I made $1000.00 selling the album for $20.00 on my bandcamp. It showed me that people will pay for quality if the product is special. It pushed me to believe I wouldn’t need a record deal if I can stay consistent and drop music on my own. What sets my apart is my determination. I wake up in the morning with a purpose to win. I want to change my family’s lives for the better and I won’t stop pushing myself. I want to be the best there ever was. I love the losses just as much as the wins. I think my survivor, heart of a lion, spirit keeps my fuel alive. My morals set me apart from others as well; never will I sacrifice my art for pay. I put my heart and soul into every song and I feel the listeners can relate and feel my truths.

Do you have recommendations for books, apps, blogs, etc?

My favorite book of all time is The Alchemist. For anyone that is wondering what their life purpose is, this is a very good read to help with that; even if you have a good of what it is I would recommend anyone read this that needs a little more of a push to go for your dreams. You may be closer than you think. I could be playing favorites but the best podcast out right now is OG & Friends Podcast, next to the Joe Budden Podcast. I watch a lot of movies based on family to get inspired; any story with a good underdog is always a top pick for me as well to get inspired. My favorite apps would have to be X (Twitter) and the Notes app on iPhone. I’ve got lyrics from 2013-now that I’ve been storing. (I’m always writing some notes down haha!) Lately I’ve been reading more of the Bible to get guidance and help me move on a better path than what I have been.

Pricing:

• Album —The Start of Something Good: $20.00

Contact Info:

• Website: https://tricito.bandcamp.com
• Instagram: godfavoritemusician
• Twitter: TRICITO
• Youtube: tricitotv

Image Credits

Kelsey ‘OG’ Martin