<\/strong><\/span><\/td>\n
<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”What Are The Solutions?” _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n The solution lies in an inclusive approach where everyone helps each other. It’s not about dividing people by race but uniting them by the principles of right versus wrong.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][et_pb_slide heading=”What Is TrillLife Doing Toward The Solutions?” _builder_version=”4.26.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_transition=”on”]<\/p>\n We engage in a wide range of activities to assist people. Our initiatives include community outreach, prison reform, voter education, music, and farming. We are continuously learning and adopting new methods to better serve individuals and the broader community.<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_slide][\/et_pb_slider][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Header” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ background_color=”#000000″ background_enable_image=”off” background_size=”initial” background_last_edited=”on|phone” background_position_phone=”center_right” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”3_4,1_4″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”4″ make_equal=”on” module_id=”founder” _builder_version=”4.26.1″ width=”90%” max_width=”100%” custom_padding=”||0px|||” custom_css_main_element=”align-items:center” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”3_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.26.1″ text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”1.8em” header_font=”Inria Serif|700|||||||” header_text_align=”left” header_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_font_size=”50px” header_line_height=”1.2em” z_index=”1″ width=”100%” max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” custom_margin=”||||false|false” text_font_size_tablet=”” text_font_size_phone=”14px” text_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” header_font_size_tablet=”48px” header_font_size_phone=”24px” header_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][et_pb_column type=”1_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_image src=”https:\/\/innercitytechnology.com\/trill\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Smoke-in-Meeting-1.jpg” alt=”Smoke in Meeting” title_text=”Smoke in Meeting” show_bottom_space=”off” align=”center” align_tablet=”center” align_phone=”center” align_last_edited=”on|tablet” _builder_version=”4.26.1″ _module_preset=”default” width=”100%” width_tablet=”60%” width_phone=”80%” width_last_edited=”on|desktop” max_width=”100%” border_radii=”on|160px|160px|160px|160px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_image][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.26.1″ width=”90%” max_width=”100%” module_alignment=”center” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_toggle title=”Smoke D | Smiz Noke | Take A Peak Behind The Curtain Here…” open_toggle_background_color=”#000000″ closed_toggle_background_color=”#0C71C3″ toggle_icon=”0||divi||400″ use_icon_font_size=”on” icon_font_size=”30px” open_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” open_toggle_icon=”/||divi||400″ open_use_icon_font_size=”on” open_icon_font_size=”30px” _builder_version=”4.26.1″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_color=”#FFFFFF” title_level=”h3″ title_font=”|600||on|||||” title_font_size=”15px” title_line_height=”1.2em” body_text_color=”#FFFFFF” body_font_size=”17px” body_letter_spacing=”1px” body_line_height=”1.8em” custom_padding=”15px|10px|15px|10px|true|true” custom_padding_tablet=”15px|10px|15px|10px|true|true” custom_padding_phone=”15px|10px|15px|10px|true|true” custom_padding_last_edited=”on|desktop” hover_enabled=”0″ title_font_size_tablet=”15px” title_font_size_phone=”14px” title_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}” sticky_enabled=”0″ body_letter_spacing_last_edited=”on|phone” body_letter_spacing_tablet=”1px” body_letter_spacing_phone=”1px”]<\/p>\n Back when Southern-based rap music was slept on nationwide, overlooked by major labels and ignored on radio, UGK<\/strong>\u2019s groundbreaking gold album Ridin\u2019 Dirty<\/em><\/strong> came through and totally transformed the trajectory of the music industry. Noted by Rolling Stone<\/em><\/strong> as one of the 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time<\/strong>, it is considered the most significant album in the progression of Southern hip-hop of the late1990s. And it has an undeniable influence on popular music to this very day.<\/p>\n With his firsthand account of life behind bars sprinkled throughout the album as skits, the Jackson, Miss. native was scheduled to be the third member of the legendary group after a standout verse on breakthrough single \u201cFront, Back, Side to Side\u201d<\/strong> from previous album Super Tight<\/em><\/strong>. But Smoke\u2019s music career was browbeaten because of prison stints between him and Pimp C<\/strong> (one-half of UGK with Bun-B<\/strong>) and Pimp\u2019s untimely passing.<\/p>\n All of his past transgressions are now left there in the past. He has learned from mistakes and came out of it all a better, stronger, wiser man. Since his release from prison, Smoke D has continually been cranking out underground classics. He kept his name ringing in the streets with grimy ghetto hymnals such as \u201cI\u2019m Real\u201d<\/strong> featuring Houston-based Screwed Up Click<\/strong> veteran Z-Ro<\/strong> and now-deceased famed Louisiana rapper Vicious<\/strong>, \u201cFree Shots\u201d<\/strong> featuring Bun B and \u201cGODGSTA\u201d<\/strong> featuring Live’<\/strong>.<\/p>\n But more than just pushing rhymes, Smoke D is also pushing peace among his people through non-profit organization TrillLife Foundation<\/strong>. Founded and led by former gang members who have spent the majority of their lives in prisons and attending funerals, TrillLife seeks to improve conditions for Mississippi families living in underserved conditions.<\/p>\n The organization provides youth mentorships, re-entry services to people leaving prison and neighborhood beautification projects. For Smoke D, his mission is more than just the music.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re pushing the music but also using our experiences and the time that we spent in prison to bring communities together through the music,\u201d Smoke D explains. \u201cWith TrillLife, we\u2019re doing whatever we can to help each other in this struggle.\u201d<\/p>\n Born Freddie Douglas Southwell in Denver, Colo. and grew up in a small town called Crystal Springs, Miss., he moved to the state\u2019s capitol city of Jackson at age 15. Although Jackson was bigger, faster and more dangerous than where he had come from, young Freddie felt right at home. He dove head first into the streets and joined a \u201cI had a rough childhood that involved a lot of guns,\u201d he expresses. \u201cI pulled a pistol on my stepdad when I was eight years old for hitting my mom. I watched my mom shoot my stepdad; I watched my stepdad shoot my mom. I watched my mom shoot a couple of folks. So when I made the transition to Jackson, I fit right in with all the gunplay and the colors.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite all of his dirty dealings in the streets, Smoke managed to make it college. He had a friend from Crystal Springs who also attended Hinds Community College but pursued a rap career on the side. The friend invited Smoke to travel with him to Lansing, Mich. for his studio session. There, he rubbed elbows with Flint rappers the Dayton Family<\/strong>.<\/p>\n At the time, Smoke D had no intention of being a rapper, but he was always witty with wordplay and could come up with rhymes on the spot off the top of his head. Since he had free studio time to use at his discretion there in Michigan, he recorded his first song \u201cPimp, Mack, Hustler.\u201d<\/p>\n The song ended up in the hands of Bun B and Pimp C through a club promoter in Jackson. The group had just signed their first record deal with Jive Records<\/strong> and was in town for a show. In a manila envelope, Smoke put his music and a small sack of exotic weed that he brought back from Michigan.<\/p>\n \u201cThey call me and tell me to come to the club where they were performing. I\u2019m thinking they\u2019re calling me back for the weed. I get back to the club and it was a white limo parked out back,\u201d Smoke remembers. \u201cI talk with Pimp and Bun, smoking weed, listening to music.\u201d<\/p>\n They liked Smoke\u2019s music so much that they invited him to come to Texas for a few weeks. Those few weeks turned into two years. During that time, he recorded his unforgettable verse on \u201cFront, Back, Side to Side.\u201d<\/p>\n Shortly after the album\u2019s release, Smoke went back to Jackson to visit and wound up catching a double murder charge. Eventually, his charges were dropped to one count of manslaughter, and Smoke ended up serving six years.<\/p>\n While on lockdown, Pimp gave him a digital audio tape filled with beats to write rhymes to. He could also use the device to record his experiences in prison. \u201cI was recording stuff as I saw it like an on-site podcast,\u201d Smoke points out. \u201cI only meant for Pimp to play for people to prove to people that I was alright.\u201d<\/p>\n By the time he got out, however, Pimp was on his way to prison on a probation violation. And while Pimp was locked up, Smoke went in again on drug charges and was handed a 10-year sentence.<\/p>\n \u201cI spent the night at Pimp\u2019s house a couple of days before I got jammed up on the highway in Louisiana with drugs,\u201d Smoke explains. \u201cThree months later, he was dead\u2026I cried for a month.\u201d<\/p>\n Smoke has been out of the belly of the beast for eight years now. Most recently, he just got off probation and is dedicated to bettering his city through community activism. He also hosts a weekly radio show every Wednesday on 90.1 WMPR called A Chance and A Choice<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n In his music<\/strong>, he doesn\u2019t curse<\/strong><\/span> and uses it as a means to cause a much-needed change in his community. \u201cI don\u2019t curse in my music because there is no need to,\u201d<\/span> Smoke D explains. \u201cThe power that I have with words is more expressive without cursing.<\/span><\/strong> It gives me an advantage that other guys don\u2019t have. I can say and do more and communicate some positivity in a slick way that the streets can understand. The base of it is God.\u201d<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_toggle][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Stats” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ background_color=”#0C71C3″ background_image=”https:\/\/innercitytechnology.com\/trill\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/music-teacher_38.png” background_size=”initial” background_position=”bottom_center” custom_padding=”100px||100px||true|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” module_id=”gallery” _builder_version=”4.26.0″ width=”90%” max_width=”100%” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.26.1″ text_font_size=”16px” text_line_height=”2em” header_2_font=”Inria Serif|700|||||||” header_2_text_color=”#FFFFFF” header_2_font_size=”50px” header_2_line_height=”1.1em” text_orientation=”center” width=”80%” module_alignment=”center” header_2_font_size_tablet=”50px” header_2_font_size_phone=”30px” header_2_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.26.1″ background_enable_color=”off” width=”90%” max_width=”100%” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600||on|||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”25px” custom_margin=”||25px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Video – Novermber 2023<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_video src=”https:\/\/youtu.be\/CLZ2Gv54zpI” _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_video][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ background_enable_color=”off” width=”90%” max_width=”100%” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.26.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600||on|||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”25px” custom_margin=”||25px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Novermber 2023<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”337,338,339,336″ show_title_and_caption=”off” zoom_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(12,113,195,0.72)” hover_icon=”0||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.23.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ background_enable_color=”off” width=”90%” max_width=”100%” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.26.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600||on|||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”25px” custom_margin=”||25px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Family<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”212,210,214,205,202,199,187,203″ show_title_and_caption=”off” zoom_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(12,113,195,0.72)” hover_icon=”0||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.22.1″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ background_enable_color=”off” width=”90%” max_width=”100%” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ background_enable_color=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.26.1″ _module_preset=”default” text_font=”|600||on|||||” text_text_color=”#FFFFFF” text_font_size=”25px” custom_margin=”||25px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Our Work<\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_gallery gallery_ids=”101,216,98,173,220,92,91,187,58,142″ show_title_and_caption=”off” zoom_icon_color=”#FFFFFF” hover_overlay_color=”rgba(12,113,195,0.72)” hover_icon=”0||divi||400″ _builder_version=”4.26.1″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_gallery][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.16″ width=”90%” max_width=”100%” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_text=”Add Calendy Here” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.22.1″ custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”12px” button_text_color=”#ffffff” button_bg_color=”#141414″ button_border_width=”0px” button_border_radius=”0px” button_letter_spacing=”4px” button_font=”|700||on|||||” custom_padding=”18px|30px|18px|30px|true|true” box_shadow_style=”preset3″ box_shadow_vertical=”47px” box_shadow_blur=”48px” box_shadow_spread=”0px” box_shadow_color=”rgba(100,146,188,0.15)” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”Footer” _builder_version=”4.16″ background_color=”#141414″ saved_tabs=”all” locked=”off” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row column_structure=”1_2,1_2″ use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”2″ make_equal=”on” _builder_version=”4.26.1″ custom_css_main_element=”align-items: center !important;” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”1_2″ _builder_version=”4.16″ global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.26.1″ link_font=”Inria Serif|700|||||||” link_text_color=”#ffffff” link_font_size=”40px” link_line_height=”1.2em” header_6_font=”|700||on|||||” header_6_text_color=”rgba(255,255,255,0.7)” header_6_letter_spacing=”4px” header_6_line_height=”1.8em” text_orientation=”center” link_font_size_tablet=”30px” link_font_size_phone=”20px” link_font_size_last_edited=”on|phone” text_orientation_tablet=”center” text_orientation_phone=”center” text_orientation_last_edited=”on|phone” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\nAbout One of Our Founders<\/h1>\n
![\"Getting-Ready-For-A-Show\"](\"https:\/\/innercitytechnology.com\/trill\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/08\/Getting-Ready-For-A-Show-300x225.jpg\")
On the bone chilling intro to the album, the first voice heard is that of then-incarcerated rapper Smoke D<\/strong> describing his involuntary vacation at Mississippi\u2019s Parchman State Penitentiary.<\/p>\n![\"Young](\"https:\/\/innercitytechnology.com\/trill\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/09\/Young-Smoke-245x300.jpg\")
well-organized street gang.<\/p>\nCommunity Galleries<\/h2>\n
Phone<\/h6>\n