STREAM EXCLUSIVE ORIGINALS

Trina’s Not Bothered By Kreayshawn, White Rappers Using the N-Word

“It’s so much more serious stuff going on in life.”

(Photos from left: John Ricard/BET, Anthony Harvey/PictureGroup)

The debate over use of the N-word in hip hop, in particular by Bay Area rappers Kreayshawn and V-Nasty has been a hot bottom issue this year. However, it’s a topic Miami rapper Trina hasn’t given much attention to. On a recent visit to 106 and Park to premiere her new video “Red Bottoms,” the platinum-selling artist took a less than common position on the issue.

 

“I don’t see what the big deal about it is,” Trina told BET.com. “It’s a matter of respect, if you’re not being disrespectful, if you’re not doing it in a racist way…I’m not really the person that care’s too much about all that.”
Throughout her decade-plus career Trina has been no stranger to the debate over the use of derogatory terms in hip hop. Some critics criticized her use of the word “b*tch,” when she first launched her career in 2000 with her debut album, Da Baddest B*tch

 

So it’s not surprising that she doesn’t share the same sentiment as some of her Southern rap counterparts. During a recent radio interview on Sway In the Morning Tennessee rapper Gangsta Boo (formerly of Three Six Mafia) publicly blasted Kreayshwn and V-Nasty’s White Girl Mob movement for their bold use of the word. There have been other artists, including, Yelawolf, MGK, and Paul Wall, who have spoken out against the use of the N-word by white rappers

With the buzz surrounding her latest single “Red Bottoms,” which was featured on her March mixtape, Diamonds Are Forever, the Diamond Princess would rather not partake in the negativity around the issue.

"It’s so much more serious stuff going on in life,” Trina says. “Let's worry about voting for Barack Obama for president again. I don't think the N-word is such a big deal, we've been saying it for years, decades, white, blacks, Hispanic, Jamaican, Haitian, Chinese whatever. It is what it is, we didn't create it, we didn't start it and we're not going to be the last to say it. It's going to continue on and on and on so we just need to focus on what's important."

Latest News

Subscribe for BET Updates

Provide your email address to receive our newsletter.


By clicking Subscribe, you confirm that you have read and agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge our Privacy Policy. You also agree to receive marketing communications, updates, special offers (including partner offers) and other information from BET and the Paramount family of companies. You understand that you can unsubscribe at any time.