“Trap History” New Release Date: Tuesday, March 3, 2020
Author A.R. Shaw Curates Years of Interviews With OutKast’s Big Boi, T.I., Young Thug, Gucci Mane, Future, 21 Savage, Killer Mike, Music Producers, Executives, Educators, Politicians, Business Owners and More
“Trap History” author A.R. Shaw discusses Gucci Mane’s rise to fame in “The Evolution of Gucci Mane,” Episode 3 of the “Trap History” audio documentary that will be released on Tuesday, March 3 on Audible. The audio documentary is a companion piece to Shaw’s “Trap History” book, a compelling, thoroughly researched 300-page work that tells the story of the popular hip hop subgenre by describing the rise of the music as well as explaining the politics and sociology that fueled the sound.
In Shaw’s interview with producer Zaytoven, the Atlanta-based beatmaker who has also worked with Usher, Migos and Future, explains that the GRAMMY-nominated, platinum rapper with hit collaborations with the likes of Drake, Bruno Mars and Selena Gomez, was not pursuing a rap career when they met in 2001. At the time, Gucci Mane was managing his nephew and took him to Zaytoven’s studio to record music.
“So Gucci came with a mutual friend and he brought his nephew. His nephew was trying to be a rapper,” Zaytoven says in an excerpt of the “Tap History” audio documentary. “Gucci was writing the songs for him. He was like, ‘Ah man, I want to get some beats. I'm trying to put my nephew on.’”
Zaytoven immediately noticed that Gucci was more than a manager. He was also a talented artist. “It went from him writing songs for his nephew,” Zaytoven says. “A lot of times, he had to go in there and say it so his nephew could see how he’s supposed to say it and rap it. And it just turned into me really just listening to him and listening to the words that he's putting together like, ‘Man, you got it.’”
Very quickly, Gucci began changing his focus from manager to artist. “I didn't see his nephew but what twice,” Zaytoven says. “After that, it was like it was Gucci recording. And we started building our relationship just like that. I'm making beats. I got the studio. He rapping the songs. I think he’s the dopest in the world. He thinks I'm the dopest in the world, and that's it. We doing that everyday.” That same year, Gucci released his first project, “Str8 Drop Records Presents Gucci Mane Le Flare” on his label Str8 Drop Records.
The “Trap History” audio documentary also has chapter episodes on “T.I., Atlanta Culture and the Beginning of Trap Music” (Episode 1), “Is Jeezy’s ‘Trap or Die’ the Greatest Mixtape in Rap History?” (Episode 2) and “How Migos’ ‘Culture’ Album Changed the Culture of Trap Music” (Episode 4).
ABOUT “TRAP HISTORY”
Trap is a term coined in Atlanta as a place where drugs are sold and bought. Trap music is a form of rap that reveals how the sale of illegal drugs, drug use, and America’s war on drugs affects poor and disenfranchised communities. Shaw takes readers on a journey that is informative, entertaining, poignant, and inspiring while delving into the origins and social climate that surrounds the music genre. “Trap History” stands as the first book that firmly details the birth and rise of Trap music.
The book and audio documentary feature Shaw’s curated interviews with dozens of history makers including pioneering Atlanta artists, producers, music executives, and experts who witnessed first-hand the origins and rise of Trap music. Rapper Kilo Ali recalls penning “Cocaine (American Has A Problem)” at the age of 16 in 1990 while serving time in the Fulton County Juvenile Detention Center. DJ Toomp recounts touring as the deejay for the 2 Live Crew in the late 1980s and producing early hits for Atlanta rappers Raheem The Dream and MC Shy D. Former Fulton County Assistant District Attorney John Turner explains how the Miami Boys drug gang began infiltrating the Techwood Homes housing projects in 1986 and Magic City strip club founder Michael Barney describes how the gentlemen’s club provided a viable platform for emerging rappers to promote their music. Shaw additionally interviews the likes of OutKast’s Big Boi, T.I., Khujo of Goodie Mob, Young Thug, Gucci Mane, Migos, Shawty Lo, Killer Mike, Zaytoven, Future and 21 Savage as well as veteran Atlanta music executives Antonio “LA” Reid, Kawan “KP” Prather and Shanti Das.
“Trap History” is more than just a music narrative. “I made it a point to shine light on the musicians who shaped Atlanta’s culture and the systemic failures which led to poverty, crime, and the war on drugs, all of which, inspired the foundation of the Trap and Trap music,” Shaw says. “The audio documentary/podcast is an extension of the book as it tells the story of Trap music and Atlanta in a docu-style format.”
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| (A.R. Shaw, Photo Credit: Geulden Eye) |
ABOUT A.R. SHAW
A.R. Shaw is a journalist based in Atlanta with over 10 years of experience in the media industry. During his career, Shaw has extensively covered Atlanta’s vibrant music scene while also covering national stories in politics, sports, and culture.
Connect With A.R. Shaw
Twitter: @arshaw
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Connect With “Trap History”
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Website: TrapHistory.com.
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