Born in Milwaukee, rapper Tray Gee -- aka The Prince of the Mil -- was already rapping in kindergarten. So, it's no surprise that at 16 this precocious talent has morphed into one of the city's best hip-hop talents.

Drawing inspiration from his father, also a rapper here, Tray Gee learned to balance school work and lyrics writing and surrounded himself with the kind of people that can help him move to the next level.

With his debut full-length CD, "Youngest in Charge" released last month, Tray Gee is already hard at work on a new mixtape due out in February.

As he plans a series of gigs around the country in the start of the new year, we asked young Tray Gee about his music, about hip-hip in Milwaukee and about how music might be able to build bridges in this sometimes divided city.

OMC: Can you tell us about how you got started in music?

TG: All my life I've loved music. From R&B to hip-hop, frequently writing lyrics and writing poetry as a kid, I've always been involved in music. My dad went to jail when I was 2 and got out when I was 13. My dad was a rapper and always writing. He was a very deep man and he inspired me to keep it real and not lie for the sake of music. That's why I've always respected and admired rappers like Tupac because they expressed themselves through music. That's how I see myself: expressing my voice.

My dad helped me write lyrics and my first song. Every time I went to go visit him we would go over raps and poetry I written and even when he called home from jail. And when he got out he helped me a lot in my music career. He took me in the studio, and then I hooked up with my uncle, Antonio Reese, who is also my manager and CEO of UrbanVision Worldwide. They both have helped further my career and fostered my growth as an artist.

They gave me the name Prince when I was a kid, and it translated over to what I call myself today, Prince of the Mil. I call myself this because I feel like between my dad and uncle, and my history in Milwaukee and the way I love this city, it's a befitting name.

From my first performance ever, which was in church -- I performed a gospel rap) -- I knew this was the road I should take. I got a great response from people and it motivated me to keep going. I am also very multitalented. I can sing, dance and write music.

 Page 1 of 2 (view all on one page)

Next >>

Post a comment / write a review.