Interview With Trudell, Chicago's Own Uprising Hip Hop Star

There is something refreshingly honest about emcee’s that choose to forego stage monikers and use their given names instead. Artists like Tupac, Andre (3000), Kanye West and Nas(ir) Jones have all bared their soles through music and that is exactly what 26-year-old emcee Michael Trudell Miller aims to do with his craft. The Chicago native tells the good and bad in his rhymes, not only about his surroundings but also about himself. Having grown up in a single parent household like many kids Trudell (or Tru for short) has seen a lot and that translates to his music. Raised by his dad after his parents divorced, Tru could have followed the path of his older brothers who were both heavily involved in gangs are currently incarcerated (one for murder and the other for an armed robbery). But instead he chose to put his passion into writing, education and his music. “My dad has been the most influential person in my life. Me and my brothers have a different dad. I bet if my dad was their biological dad they wouldn’t be in the situations they’re in now,” says Trudell. “I’ve had my stints with the streets as far as dope goes but my dad always steered me back straight.” Rapping as a hobby since he was 13 and seriously since he turned 20, Tru is dead serious about his music and he approaches it that way. Heavily inspired by Pac, Jay Z and Nas, Trudell has studied the strengths of each legendary artist and used them to better his own craft. Beyond the technical aspects of flow and delivery Tru has one of the most important traits a rapper can have and that is being authentic. His lyrical content is 100% Trudell.