In a recent interview with GQ Magazine online, Trinidad James spoke about his love for fashion and his clothing line Gold Gang Gear. The Trini born rapper representing Atlanta is broadening his horizons beyond his lucrative deal with Def Jam.
On your Twitter, it says, “Fashion is my heart.” And I was checking your website, which runs more like a clothing store than a display of your music, it seems. Is that more of your interest? Menswear over music?
It does look like a clothing store, doesn’t it? [laughs] But in general, it’s all a part of the image, man. I was so much into fashion before music that it’d be ridiculous for me to not start up from somewhere without getting the brand out there. So we’re turning out streetwear in the upper echelon, higher class, you know?
Before you started rapping, you managed a boutique in Atlanta called Top of the Underground.
I ran that boutique for, like, three or four years. Top of the Underground was a streetwear store. I love everything that has to do with fashion, though. It’s not just streetwear for me.Let’s talk about your clothing line, Gold Gang Gear, for a second. Is this a project you started before or after you started rapping?
We started this after I started rapping. It’s all a part of the marketing and business plan behind music. When you get a chance to do something great, you got to capitalize on it. And capitalizing on it basically incorporates all the things that go along with it. You gotta have songs, you gotta have a movement, you gotta have people drawing portraits of you or whatever. So hey, why not make some clothes? If someone would take the time to draw a mural of you, then they’ll take the time to buy a shirt, a good shirt, you know?
I have to say, I’m not so secretly in love his ratchet single “All Gold Everything” and the more I hear and read interviews with him, he seems like a pretty smart guy that may be around after his hit single dies down. Not sure if I’ll be getting gold fronts anytime soon, but he has a great following and understands the power of great marketing. I’ll be interested to see what he does next.
Mikelah
Mikelah is a Caribbean Culture expert, curating the bridge between the Caribbean and its diaspora. A CUNY Baruch College graduate with a BBA in Marketing. With previous experience with Caribbean lifestyle brands such as VP Records, Tempo TV and JAMROCK Magazine. Currently serving as a digital marketing maven by day, while continuing to collaborate with Caribbean brands.
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