Hey Trell, thank you for connecting with us. To start off, where are you from?

I’m from Chicago, spent time on both the Southside and Over East.

How does living and growing up in that area shape your art and your sound?

Growing up in these areas shaped my perspective on the world in a certain way. I feel like your environment and the people within it will play a factor in the way you interact, even the way you think. Even if you’re the smartest guy in the world, your environment/surroundings will shape you in some way. I feel as if it gave me a landscape to grab inspiration from, also the dialect, bravado, and hustle all in all. I place all of that into the music. Of course nothing shaped me more than those who raised me, I feel that the village and my DNA is really the largest factor that shaped my art, because it made me. And whatever I put into the art is all me.

How did you first get into music, and what made you take it seriously?

I come from a Musical family, or artistic if you may say. My grandparents met in a band, they’re still together today. I came to find out my great great grandma sang background for Mahalia Jackson, so it get that deep with me. Even my mama, she sang all in church, leading the music department, throwing concerts, all typa shit. Family biography aside, the music always been within me, since a knee high, music was second nature, it came with ease for me. Rapping around school, beating on lunch tables and shìt I’ll always stand out amongst everybody. I think I was ignoring the gift I had at first cuz I ain’t know what I wanted to talk about, it was always sports for me at first. Playing football in high school, I wanted to go all the way but D3 offers and Club football wasn’t really gonna do it for me lol. I was constantly trying to figure out what I was gonna do to really fulfill my purpose, in the midst of that I’m creating songs and shit lettin the guys hear em, really it was just a form of expression.. My brother Dez was the first person to actually take me to my first real studio session, it was that turning point in my life when I decided to embrace my gift and really put it on display, I had to stop running away from it. Nowhere to Run out now, go get that.

Is there anyone or anything that inspires your work?

I get inspo from so many greats, I can’t even sit here and list em all forreal. My people inspire me so much though, I feel like I’m a voice to say certain things for them that they sometimes can’t say.

What’s the story behind the name “Casino Trell”?

When I decided to make this shit happen I knew it was risky, then I thought of life in totality, it’s all one big ass risk. No matter what we do. But I’m the exception, my luck is a sure thing, I got the machine rigged.

What’s your favorite thing about the Chicago music scene at this moment?

Me. Lol aside from that I fuck with how the infrastructure has come together more, the power of music brings so many people together. It’s like niggas actually got spaces and lil hubs to come to in the name of music/artistry.

What does your process look like when creating/making music?

God enters the room, sparks are flying, magic is in the air. You see butterflies, unicorns, mythical creatures and all typa shìt. You look up and you hear the music, shit make you shed a tear.

Who are some artists within the scene that you want to work with?

I’m a huge fan of the women creatives, I feel like me and Miriah would make something crazy! I think MelloBuckzz is the combination that the people wouldn’t be expecting but the song ah be hard as hell. Shoutout to Mello she doin her thang. ThirteenDegrees is another one I feel is just a crazy blend of styles. KaiCrewsade too. If I could think of one more I’ll prolly say Star Bandz.

What’s some of the challenges you’ve faced on your artistic journey, and how have you overcome them?

It’s a long list, but one I can say is consistency, which is still a tough one for me because I like to take my time with the music. But sometimes I hit the “fuck it” button. That’s my ideology sometimes, just say “fuck it”. The thing is I care about the quality so much, and it’s like the quality can't be all the way there if you rush it. If you pay attention though we are consistent in quality! Quality Music, Merchandise, Visuals (directed/written by myself and Director Zell) and whatever else you can think of.

What’s the first song you would recommend to someone who hasn’t heard your music yet?

NO SOLICITORS ALLOWED! Or Mr Gambler on some this the introduction track type shit. You should really play the entire “Nowhere to Run” which is out now on all platforms.

What’s a bit of advice you would tell a new artist entering the Chicago music scene?

Be yourself! But if you are not good at music, DO NOT DO IT. I repeat, if you are trash stay yo ass away from the studio. Don’t go into music because you think this shit look cool, or because you think you finna make some money, you just in the way for niggas that love it forreal. Everybody ain’t gotta be in front the camera, if you wanna get into music it’s plenty of other roles that contribute to this thing we love. Manager, Investors, Producer, Booking Agent, etc, it doesn't end at rapper/singer. But if you love it and your heart in the right place, be true to yourself and create raw shit.

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