Trinidad is Dying. Though a controversial statement, the sentiment of these three words is expressed by hundreds, daily. One local hip hop mastermind is declaring it blatantly and with no apology. Tim Starr, of the group Spotrushaz, says he means it in a way that he knows can get people thinking and, possibly, incite change.
Corporate T&T says no
A two-year-old hip hop track that has only recently been unleashed, called Trinidad Is Dying, has been creating a stir among head honchos in corporate T&T in recent days. While Tim Starr felt the song would be an immediate eye-opener for many, business executives who've been approached for sponsorship, as it relates to the track's development, are viewing it differently. "Sponsors are refusing to get involved with the track because of its name," says Tim. He says the song couldn't be treated as a normal track because it isn't. "The song is about the reality we face in T&T right now. Where I grew up, in Belleview, St James, I dealt with, and still deal with the issues of crime among the youth, everyday. The situation has improved somewhat from when I was growing up, but there's still crime in the area. Almost everybody I grew up with is either dead or in jail. I think the track is a reality check for the youths. It's time for them to wake up."
Sick society
The concept behind Trinidad Is Dying is quite unique. "Trinidad is my friend in the song and one day I receive a telephone call with news that Trinidad is in the hospital. When I visit, Trinidad tells me that the way Government is dealing with situations, the things youths are doing and the way they're treating their lives, are bringing death closer," explains the rapper, who has been a part of the local industry for the better part of a decade. Tim Starr says he feels like those who are in a position to highlight what's going on are choosing, time and time again, to sweep the situations affecting the country, beneath the rug. "As a people, we only show concern about issues of crime and violence when something hits close to home," he says.
Time for change
The track, which features local reggae artiste Jah Defender, will be accompanied by a video in the coming week, as on April 19 a launch will take place from 9 pm at La Casa de Ibiza on Tragarete Road in Woodbrook. Assuring that his solo performance on the track does not interfere with Spotrushaz, Tim Starr says, "The track is off the Spotrushhaz album, called The Dave Miller Project. The project will highlight the new sound and the new faces of the group." Drawing reference to the Where's The Love Campaign, which kicked off in March last year and proved positive among the nation's youth, Tim Star says he felt the need to release the track after speaking to young men within the walls of the prison system.
"I'm not into politics really, because at the end of the day they all have the same agenda, just a different way of doing things. I'm not talking about the Prime Minister or any one political party. I just think a lot of people are just fed-up now, but nobody's doing anything," he says. Tim Star believes the track will give the youths of T&T something to think about. He says even the elders in society who don't necessarily like hip hop will understand the power of the genre, when they listen to the song.
