To call legendary trip-hop musician Tricky a musical enigma would be putting it lightly. Since making his big-time debut in 1995 with his solo album, Maxinquaye, the trip-hop originator has left listeners and critics alike confused and intrigued by his genre-blending musical approach, unique production finishes, and spoken vocal delivery.
It's been almost twenty years since Tricky emerged onto the scene, yet his influence is increasingly evident with the rising star power of trip-hop inspired artists such as FKA Twigs and Mykki Blanco. With the release date of his new album, Adrian Thaws, fast-approaching, we caught up with the icon to discuss keeping a low profile, gender identity in fashion and music, and YouTube comments on his music videos.
CHLOE DEWBERRY: You keep out of the spotlight. Besides constantly creating new music, what have you been up to?
TRICKY: I’m around, but I don’t over-publicize myself because I’m not in the fame game. I wouldn’t want to be as famous as one of those celebrities who can’t go out and do their own shopping. You have to take security with you everywhere and that’s no kind of life. When I was going out with Bjork, [the paparazzi] were evasive, taking pictures of me outside of clubs, so I just played that game. [Now] certain magazines I just don’t do. I’m not trying to be the biggest artist in the world and I’m not trying to get a Top 20 track. I know you need money to survive, but money doesn’t really interest me and I’m not trying to be a millionaire or stack the money up. I’m quite happy where my record sales are and I’m quite lucky because I can tour around the world. Success is about being happy; I’m quite happy as I am so I don’t try and push it.
Last year in an interview, you said the state of music was currently in the worst place. Do you still feel that way?
Yeah, definitely. It has been taken over by big corporations like Time Warner. Where are the positive role models in music? They’ve all been killed off or they’re not promoted. The big corporations are not going to promote that because it’s not in their best interest. Time Warner owns VIBE magazine and this is where people get so many negative images of black people, because they don’t want kids to look up to someone like Malcolm X who talks about the government and other truths. They control the industry.
Yes, it’s the worst time, but it’s starting to change now because I think people are getting fed up. With the Internet especially, people are finding out stuff and not relying on the radio. So, I think people in this younger generation are more knowledgeable and can’t be brainwashed as easily. Your generation is starting to believe in people my age. It’s almost like, enough of the rubbish, you know? I’ve got open eyes now and I think it’s through social media, people, and word of mouth.
I feel like your musical influence is more present right now than it has been in years.
It’s hard for me to see
It's been almost twenty years since Tricky emerged onto the scene, yet his influence is increasingly evident with the rising star power of trip-hop inspired artists such as FKA Twigs and Mykki Blanco. With the release date of his new album, Adrian Thaws, fast-approaching, we caught up with the icon to discuss keeping a low profile, gender identity in fashion and music, and YouTube comments on his music videos.
CHLOE DEWBERRY: You keep out of the spotlight. Besides constantly creating new music, what have you been up to?
TRICKY: I’m around, but I don’t over-publicize myself because I’m not in the fame game. I wouldn’t want to be as famous as one of those celebrities who can’t go out and do their own shopping. You have to take security with you everywhere and that’s no kind of life. When I was going out with Bjork, [the paparazzi] were evasive, taking pictures of me outside of clubs, so I just played that game. [Now] certain magazines I just don’t do. I’m not trying to be the biggest artist in the world and I’m not trying to get a Top 20 track. I know you need money to survive, but money doesn’t really interest me and I’m not trying to be a millionaire or stack the money up. I’m quite happy where my record sales are and I’m quite lucky because I can tour around the world. Success is about being happy; I’m quite happy as I am so I don’t try and push it.
Last year in an interview, you said the state of music was currently in the worst place. Do you still feel that way?
Yeah, definitely. It has been taken over by big corporations like Time Warner. Where are the positive role models in music? They’ve all been killed off or they’re not promoted. The big corporations are not going to promote that because it’s not in their best interest. Time Warner owns VIBE magazine and this is where people get so many negative images of black people, because they don’t want kids to look up to someone like Malcolm X who talks about the government and other truths. They control the industry.
Yes, it’s the worst time, but it’s starting to change now because I think people are getting fed up. With the Internet especially, people are finding out stuff and not relying on the radio. So, I think people in this younger generation are more knowledgeable and can’t be brainwashed as easily. Your generation is starting to believe in people my age. It’s almost like, enough of the rubbish, you know? I’ve got open eyes now and I think it’s through social media, people, and word of mouth.
I feel like your musical influence is more present right now than it has been in years.
It’s hard for me to see