Much of Trilla and Ross’ rapping on it is intoxicating in the same way hanging in a VIP booth or vacationing on an island may be that feeling of exclusivity, profligacy, and indulgence runs rampant throughout the album. “Here I Am” even shouts out both schools: “Home from FAMU with a gorgeous face / Next semester she transferred to Florida State.” It’s pure bait for a group of 18 to 22-year-old college students but it doesn’t matter, the song is too perfect to find anything to quibble with.
When these songs dropped, I was in college and “Here I Am,” in particular, felt like undeniable records universally loved by kids at both Florida State and the HBCU across the train tracks, Florida A&M. Like Ross raps in “This Is The Life”: “This reserve for them trill, I’m red carpet every year/ Take a picture, canary stones so photogenic.” Miami can be a city of dreams. His music was the postcard vision of Miami and Florida in general. While much of Florida’s scene was fixated on dancing to chipmunk fast party records and music reminiscent of Baltimore and New Jersey club records, Ross took another approach.
Singles like “Speedin” and “Here I Am” are songs that encapsulate Ross’ love of flamboyance and luxury – and the more idealistic visions of Miami. Trilla is a masterclass in this luxury rap style of music. Those tropical steel drums and island-influenced rhythms took over the entire state – it’s our one connection. When anyone – including myself – speaks on the music scene here, what they’re really talking about is the sounds of South Florida. Their culture, style, and taste in music was the essence of that extravagant Florida lifestyle. In college at Florida State, I was surrounded by kids from South Florida many of my classmates were from some of the grimiest parts of Miami. I grew up in the Panhandle of Florida – Tallahassee to be specific – surrounded by swamps, dirt roads, and very few street lights. It truly is America’s armpit: sweaty, musty, but full of character. The reality is, most of Florida is grimy, swamp-ridden, and humid as hell.
When most people think of Florida – outside of its bourgeoning young rap scene and OGs like Rick Ross, Trina, Poe Boy Entertainment, and the entire Slip N Slide family – they’re reminded of headlines about criminals and degenerates maybe some alligator incidents, and South Beach Miami.
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