Trae Tha Truth Says Industry Insiders Tried to Stall His Career: “You’re Affecting My Livelihood” [Video]

Rapper and activist Trae Tha Truth recently revealed that people have spent years trying to block him from the music industry.

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In a candid conversation with T.I., the Houston artist broke down the barriers he says have been put in place to stall his career. According to Trae, the efforts to sideline him were not only strategic but deeply personal.

“The things of putting roadblocks up, the things of, hey, I don’t think y’all may not want to deal with him. Y’all may want to come deal with everybody over here, because if you notice, he over there by himself. So it may not be good to deal with him. You just go and stick over here. So it becomes, hey, well, now you’re affecting my livelihood, my day-to-day,” Trae stated.

When T.I. asked, “Is it that you’re suggesting that there may be people who are deterring opportunities away from you?” Trae didn’t hesitate: “Very much. That’s very much so…More so here [Houston] than anywhere else. But that’s more so the reason why I’m stomped down out here. I’m one of them people, you ain’t going to make me move. You’re not going to shift me out or make me tap out. Because, man, what God gave to me, ain’t no n***a on earth can take that from me. You know what I’m saying? And I understand I may take the longer route than most, because I don’t necessarily break down a move or blend in with everybody else.”

The obstacles weren’t just rumors. Trae detailed how industry execs went so far as to request his verses be removed from songs. He was even banned from performing at certain venues. Both he and T.I. agreed that they wouldn’t name names, but the message was clear: someone, or several people, were working behind the scenes to block Trae from progressing.

The transparent sit-down took place just ahead of Trae Tha Truth’s album release on July 3rd, with both men locking in on other topics such as fatherhood,  life, and standing on business. The full interview can be viewed below. Meanwhile, “ANGEL” will be available on all platforms on Trae’s actual birthday, and Trae Day Weekend takes over Houston July 17-20.