We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Skinny Trell. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Skinny below.
Skinny , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. It’s always helpful to hear about times when someone’s had to take a risk – how did they think through the decision, why did they take the risk, and what ended up happening. We’d love to hear about a risk you’ve taken.
Going head first into artistry feels so scary, and honestly sometimes I’m not sure why. You know, when we look up, the world is ran off the back of creatives. Imagine your favorite scene in a movie without the musical soundtrack to add to that emotion they are trying to display…without the music it would feel bland. All those people who’s music was the glue to that movie that spark emotion took risks to get there. We never know if anyone will like what we deliver as artist, and that’s the biggest risk of all: standing behind something you actually believe in. I always knew I wanted my career to be in the things that I’m actually passionate about. I took that first risk by dropping my first music video and single in 2020. I knew once I gave the world my vision, I couldn’t turn back, and that was by far the biggest risk I’ve taken. Had I not taken that risk, we probably wouldn’t be having this interview. I would say the second biggest risk is going to do this live show in NYC in a couple weeks as well. This will be my first time in NYC and also my first real live show. Its a good risk though because Im exposing myself more to a bigger audience.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Im from Detroit, MI and what I love about being from here is the music history that is stapled to this city. I feel I have that groovy, soulful vibe that naturally gravitated to me by being from the city that birthed Motown Records. I love film and creative direction, it’s the limits that you can push when you’re creating something original that gives me that rush. I actually graduated from Michigan State University with a degree in film and screenwriting concentrations. I got into music and creating very naturally. My best friend started buying studio equipment in college and before I knew it, I was in his room every night trying to record. I always had a natural ear for music because me and my brother shared a room when I was younger and with him being 7 years older, I got to explore a different variety at such a young age. I am most proud of some of the bodies of work that I’ve produced in the past 2 years. My short film for my first album “Bloom” was selected to show at the Kennedy Center in Washington D.C., so that was a very big win for me because we shot that with little to no money. It just goes to show me that I’m doing the right things and following my heart and ideas. The main thing I want people who grow to love what I do is that visually, Ill always bring you into my world and how the song feels to me. I feel if you can get the ears and eyes of a listener, you’ll keep them wanting to see what you have stored next, and trust me, its big things on the way.
Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?
Yes, I don’t have any children yet, however I do have 3 nieces. 2 of them already loves music and my oldest niece is 5 and has been playing piano for 2 years now. I didn’t grow up in music classes or lessons, I just always had a love for it and the arts. I want to be the figure they look up to and really get to personally watch me achieve my dreams through music and film. I want them to know they can pursue what fuels their heart and be able to look at me and say “my uncle chased his dreams successfully, I can too” when they get older. It’s all to inspire, not only inspire myself, but the generation after me as well.
What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?
You get to show the world what’s inside of your mind as a finished product. If you are an artist that is really hands on with everything, you get to see people enjoy your thoughts and find peace behind them. Some may say they don’t hear me speak aloud a lot, so it’s rewarding to be an artist and let the art do the talking for me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://skinnytrell.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/skinnytrell_/?hl=en
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/skinnytrell?lang=en
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCBwUAfZ88NwlUpGR8FHuFgA
- Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/7prJ4Psomu6jOjtxAbohkC?si=AB4MBCVYRja1CU0d0qRGag https://music.apple.com/us/artist/skinny-trell/1522168446 https://tidal.com/browse/artist/20296177
Image Credits
Jimel Primm Corey McGhee