Trae Day

Another figure to the underground Houston music.  Trae is another Houston icon who was originally part of Screwed Up Click.  One of my favorite songs by Trae is a collaboration he did with z-ro called ABN or assholes my nature.  Some of his lyrics are very explicit, and he is known for very violent lyrics.  Unlike some rappers, who just rap about certain lyrics that they know nothing about, I think Trae has street credibility and really has experienced most or maybe even all the violent things he raps about.  Despite some of his negative lyrics. Trae shows his kind hearted spirit every year at his annual event.  He has been recognized in Houston as some one who gives back to the community.  He has been putting on this event for quite a few years, and about 4 or 5 years ago he named and Houston agreed and called his charity event Trae Day.  On this particular day every year Trae buys several school supplies and give them to local Houston children who may not have the opportunity to get school supplies otherwise.  Trae Day is normally about a month before the first day school begin.  He also has performers at the event to draw a crowd, and other celebrities participate in the even to raise more money for the children.  Trae day is normally held at Texas Southern University, which is a HBCU located in the heart of 3rd ward.  It a bad area in Houston that has been known for alot of violence, drugs and things of that nature.  In 2009 at Trae Day, after the event was over, there was a shooting at his event.  Although Trae had absolutely nothing to do with the shooting, he publicly apologized for the behavior at the event the following morning on 97.9 the box.  After he made his apology one of the radio personalities, Jasmine NNate, made remarks saying that Trae was responsible for the shooting because of his violent lyrics and violent people are the audience he's appealing to so naturally these type of people would be at his event. There was outrage that she made such remarks.  Trae later made a song on a mixtape Nnate, calling her fat, Black, ugly, all these things that are not far from the truth.  After getting word that this song was out Nnate was offended and the entire KBXX 97.9 took action and decided not to play dissing his music to show that they know longer supported him because of his comments.  This was a huge controversy because Houston people loved Trae, and 97.9 was the only radio station in Houston that played his music.  Some DJ's from 97.9 were fired because of insubordination by continuing to play his music.  Trae still had Trae day on Saturday of this year despite what happened 2 years ago.  It was another successful event, no shootings this time.  The fact that 97.9 banned his music was a low blow and really can ruin his career.  He's not much of a national artist yet, so Houston was the main people supporting him and playing his music.  Now that 97.9 refuses to play it, not too many people are hearing his songs.