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Meet Trent Stark

Today we’d like to introduce you to Trent Stark.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Trent. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
As most of us were, I was heavily influenced by music from a young age. My parents listened to a lot of Elvis and The Beach Boys. As the affinity for oldies and Doo-Wop music grew, so did my interest in pop culture. I remember being 9 or 10 and discovering Jay Z’s “The Black Album” and Wayne’s “The Carter III”. I also found solace in many of Eminem’s records such as “Stan” and “Not Afraid”. I discovered that over anything else, music seems to control my emotions; from finding comfort in my current emotion to overcoming the angst and anxiety that comes with being a pre teen. As I grew older, I got really into G-Eazy and Mac Miller. Seeing what their music did for me, I wanted to help others in the same way that so many artists from so many different backgrounds helped me. I started freestyling around 16 with my buddies. None of us took it very seriously. I had a few friends that had been into the scene for a while and they asked me if I was willing to be featured on a record with them. I was hella nervous. I wrote and then rehearsed my 16 over and over until the big day came. They laid down their bars. I cut the verse on a one takes with no errors. It was in that moment that I knew I had discovered what I was supposed to be doing in life.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Absolutely not. There have been a million peaks and a million valleys. From paying a fortune to get beats licensed online to making poor financial marketing choices, I have had many setbacks. I try to tell everybody that even though sometimes you take a shot and it doesn’t work out doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have taken the shot. It’s mad cliche but making mistakes is paramount. If you can learn from your mistakes and continue to trust your instincts, you will beat out 90% of your competition just because you’re learning and moving forward while the other cat is overthinking an Instagram caption. That doesn’t mean you should act carelessly, but act based upon your own wisdom and stop second-guessing yourself. Even when you’re wrong. If I never spent a bag on beats with sh***y licenses I never would’ve gotten fed up with it and taught myself how to produce. I never would have developed into making the records you hear today.

Can you give our readers some background on your music?
The music I make is solely based on how I feel in the moment. As I’ve matured as a person through the years, I’ve become way more transparent in my art. Especially on this upcoming album “Circa 97”. I don’t hide anything on these records. My goal is simple: I want to utilize what helps me to help others. I don’t like staying in one lane. Sometimes I’m happy so I make a happy record. Sometimes I’m sad and in my feelings and you get more melancholy/vibey records from me like “Casablanca”. Sometimes I want to say “F**k what everybody else thinks, I’m doing what I want” and that leads to more powerful records like “Some Nights” and “Ambitions”. Whether the song is about partying, falling in love, or whatever else, I just want to spark emotion in people and let them know they’re not alone. I’m here when you’re making boss moves and crushing your goals and I’m here when you’re facing setbacks and new challenges.

What is “success” or “successful” for you?
I believe success is entirely based on happiness. I’ve met some really rich people with broke souls. I’ve met some real broke people who are so happy with their opportunity to wake up and live another day on this planet that they’re richer than any dude in a Porsche. That doesn’t mean you can’t be materialistic sometimes and enjoy nice things. I love nice stuff. I want the Lambo. I’ll get the Lambo, but something I bought is never going to define my success or self-worth. Success to me is making sure my family is in a nice house, my team is eating, and I’m creating new and exciting opportunities for myself and the people around me. I want to provide a lifetime of experience and memories for everyone around me, and I will. That’s success to me.

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Image Credit:
Mark Ginsburg

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