EXCLUSIVE: T.I. & Trae Tha Truth Talk Colorism In The Music Industry

The BET Hip Hop Awards are back! To celebrate their 20th year anniversary, which sadly coincides with the COVID-19 pandemic, the show will be premiered virtually on Tuesday, October 27th, 2020 at 9PM ET/PT on BET, BET Her, VH1 and MTV2. This year’s ceremony will be co-hosted by the 85 South Show, composed of talented comedians Karlous Miller, DC Young Fly, and Chico Bean.

This time around, the legendary Master P will be honored with “I Am Hip Hop” Award, with performances from 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Burna Boy featuring Chris  Martin, City Girls, Cordae, Gucci Mane, Jhenè Aiko, Lil Baby, Lil  Wayne, Mulatto, Quavo, Tobe Nwigwe and Ty Dolla $ign. 

Baller Alert had the pleasure of catching up with T.I., who just released his new album titled The L.I.B.R.A., and Trae Tha Truth, who’s been extremely active and vocal about the recent issues with systematic racism and giving back to his city of Houston.

There’s been a lot of talk about fighting against colorism within the Black community and that has touched the hip-hop industry.  Do you feel colorism is prevalent within the hip-hop industry, specifically amongst female rappers and their success? 

T.I.: Anytime you’re dealing with people and their opinion right, you have to let someone else’s opinion dictate or determine whether or not you’re going to be eligible for an opportunity. People’s opinions are going to sway different ways. Some people like tall girls, some people rather short girls. Some people like big girls, some people like thin girls. Some people like natural hair… you know what I’m saying? It’s going to depend on people who are issuing those opinions, on a case by case basis. It exists in every industry because it’s the free will of opinion that’s judging and determining whether or not these beautiful young ladies will have the opportunities available out there.

Trae Tha Truth: Colorism plays a part whether it be female or male, it plays a part in general. This year alone because so many people are able to speak up, a lot of things are becoming magnified. A lot more up close and personal because before, some things would be overlooked or bypassed, but now it’s definitely at the forefront to what people can see. I had a lot of people that’s not of my race come in and say “I didn’t know.” In this situation man, a lot of it is being singled out or pointed out and brought to the attention of people. You have some good out of it and some bads. The goods are people who genuinely care will try to find a way to fix the situation. The bads are the people who live in denial like there’s no such thing.