words by: DN News Desk
If the Golden Age of rap birthed a child still here to deliver a feeling lost for so long, that child is now Seattle, Washington based Rapper NellzSoTrilla. Hailing from the Tri-State area with a Mother in Plainfield, New Jersey, and Father in Brooklyn, New York, Nellz’s formative years were steeped in classic 90s Hip Hop and R&B delivered from Legends such as the Late Great B.I.G, Nas, Jay-Z, Mary J. Blige, The Lox, Aaliyah, and more. By the age of 11, his mind was set on becoming a Rapper and he began penning rhymes at his childhood home in Jerz.
At 15, with the help of his older cousin and Mentor Lance also known as “O-Z”, he released his 1st mixtape on Datpiff.com titled “Cased Up” and flooded the streets. Reflecting on those early days, Nellz fondly recalls, “Crazy to think now I was only in the 10th grade when I dropped that. It was days we would ride around Plainfield, Elizabeth, Newark, Roselle, Brunswick, wherever, just pushing my music. We had shows in clubs, theaters, parties, etc., and I gotta be to school the next day at 8 AM. It was ill. But I was ALL IN and always ready.”
As time marched on, Trilla’s name and music garnered a devoted local following and deep reverence fueled by the unfiltered transparency of his storytelling, lyrical prowess, and relentless work ethic. In 2005, he crossed paths with Sekou Davis of I.N.CROWD MUSIC, who not only became his first manager but ultimately family. By 2008, Davis and partner, James Seawood, officially took Nellz under their wing, recognizing his immense potential.
In April 2009 Nellz had a daughter Anyiah Simone and went on to gain full custody of her in 2010. This would prove to be the most defining moment in his journey thus far and motivate Nellz like never before. He continued releasing music shortly after and formed the crew “WaveGang” with best friend Nicholas “King Global” Bush. The 2 created a lane of their own the following year when they dropped a full length project of Nellz rapping on Jersey Club beats titled “King Of Clubs”. The tracklist featured Jersey Club Legends DJ LilMan, DJ JayHood, Bleszt and more and was fully produced by Nick. Many would say this was the peak but with everyone in tune, from 2013-2017 Nellz fired off 3 more tapes (3 Eyes Open, GoodFella and So Marvelous). Unfortunately, his momentum was completely derailed after witnessing the murder of his close friend Shamar Coleman. Before he passed Coleman planned to invest in Nellz music career but never got the chance. Slowly but surely Nellz stepped back in the ring starting his own Company/Label ALLWEGOT LLC in 2019 and landed a Single on BETJAMS in 2020 titled “6 RINGS”.
The song, produced by Mack Fresh of Jackson, Mississippi was Trilla’s 1st placement on the big screen and immediately ignited the next gear of focus. In 2021, he sold out his inaugural Clothing Collection and took the show on the road moving to Seattle, Washington.
Fast forward 2 years of personal growth and adjustments being far away from home, Nellz is set to fulfill destiny and leave an indelible mark on the Game. With his debut album, “Trilla FOREVER,” expected early 2024, the seasoned Emcee looks to blend East Coast nostalgia of his roots with the wavy sounds of the West in a way we’ve never experienced.
For starters, he brings us 1st single “No Price” produced by Steez along with official visuals shot and edited by AntOriginates. As the Sun falls from the sky and the Moon’s glow lights up the City, Trilla takes listeners on a grand tour from radiant Pike Place Market to the futuristic Seattle Spheres ending at the Beloved Space Needle.
His words tell a tale of triumph and validation confirmed through the test of time while the title “No Price” speaks to the authenticity of his journey and the fact no price can be placed on anything about it. In a nod to his favorite era, the 90s-born wordsmith dons an authentic Mitchell & Ness rookie Stephon Marbury jersey, along with a Champion Berckman USA hoodie from his own clothing line, AllWeGot LLC.
It’s a symbolic gesture that encapsulates a full-circle moment: proudly representing his roots while staking a claim on the map from his current vantage point. The video itself paints a vivid portrait of an artist on the rise and as the lyrics unfold it becomes evident that this is only the beginning of what promises to be an extraordinary musical odyssey. NellzSoTrilla’s journey transcends geography and is a testament to the immeasurable value of pursuing one’s dreams.
