Sample Flips: Trina – “U & Me” (Prod. By Cool & Dre)

Trina is the most impactful female rapper from Miami.  Her career started in 1997, when Trick Daddy featured her on his song “Nann Nigga.”  The following year, after “Nann Nigga” was released as the lead single for Trick Daddy’s second album, www.thug.com, Trina became a hip hop superstar.  Her provocative verse established her as a woman built to thrive in the male-dominated Miami hip hop scene.  In 2000, Trina released her debut album, Da Baddest Bitch, led by “Pull Over” and “Da Baddest Bitch.”  Her album was certified Gold by the end of the year and Trina’s impact continued to grow.

In 2002, Trina released her second album, Diamond Princess.  I think this album had more nuance to it and showed that Trina had more versatility beyond the vulgar, sexual lyricism that she became known for.  “U & Me” is a prime example.  On this song, Trina is more thoughtful about her life in a different way.  Rhyming over a Cool & Dre sample, Trina has three verses that weave in and out of complex relationships. She uses these relationships to represent her conflicted emotions about her past, present, and future life.

Trina – “U & Me” (Prod. By Cool & Dre)

The OJay’s – “You and Me”