Former Snoop Dogg affiliate Tray Deee currently resides in the California Men’s Colony State Prison in San Luis Obispo, CA. In 2005, the West Coast artist was hit with an "up to" 12-year sentence for attemped murder. Presently, his earliest possible release his in 2013, although he could be freed sooner due to jail overcrowding and budget problems. His career didn't start in Colony State Prison and, if he has his way, it won't end there either.
AllHipHop.com reached out to the West Coast veteran to update the Hip-Hop world on his well being, thoughts and current status. Much has changed with the O.G.
AllHipHop.com: First off, can you please let us and your fans know how you are currently doing?
Tray Deee: All praise be to Allah, I’m solid. My health is firm, my stamina is formidable, my focus is sharp, and my spirit is serene.
AllHipHop.com: What are you doing to maintain yourself during your incarceration?
Tray Deee: My program is laid back but disciplined. I keep my circle small and circumnavigate all stagnative, non-productive issues. I go to work at the canteen warehouse at 7:45 a.m. and miss the yard until I get off 3:45 p.m. – which is yard recall for count time. I squeeze in some physical fitness, shower, and play chess or write a letter until it’s time to call it a night. I collaborate with various individuals on diverse projects to maintain an influx of capital, and a small number of homies and friends chunk me a bone every now and again to make sure I ain’t scufflin’ and wanting for nothing. Good lookin’ out y’all!
AllHipHop.com: Word has it that you no longer associate yourself with your former Eastsidaz group-mates Snoop Dogg and Goldie Loc. Is that true?
Tray Deee: Essentially, although about 5 or 6 weeks ago, I finally enjoyed a warm conversation with Snoop Dogg after over 5 years of no communication whatsoever. We agreed to let the past go like water under the proverbial bridge and we even shared a few genuine laughs. We still have some existing financial discrepancies left to resolve and from our roughly 10 minute conversation, I could not gauge whether or not he is yet prepared to face that reality. Honestly, I once cared for the dude like the little brother that I never had. So, while I detest the circumstances which led to our dissolution and resulting enmity, I can’t proclaim any lingering hatred for Snoop because my love for him was authentic. Insha-Allah which means “God-willing”, everything will work out for the best in due time.
Now Goldie Loc, he has never exhibited any degree of loyalty toward me. When our contractual abuse was uncovered by our then manager, I instructed Goldie that the only chance we had at rectifying the situation is if we stood unified, but he continued to run behind Snoop which caused me to appear as the trouble-maker/bad guy. The few times I’ve managed to speak with him since my incarceration, he’s been evasive or outright lied to me.
AllHipHop.com: Is it possible to ever reunite with Snoop Dogg or Goldie Loc once you are released from Prison?
Tray Deee: I would hope that Snoop Dogg and I could recapture that vibe that we once shared, and salvage the wonderful history that we created. It’s his call at this point. Barring some extraordinary events transpiring between now and my release, I have no interest of f***in’ with Goldie Loc ever again – except to be compensated by him for prominently featured on his C.D.
"My personal pedigree and the environment that I come from is the foundation of gangsterism. Pushin’ a G-Line for me was as natural as a Norwegian becoming a fisherman, or someone born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah being a Mormon."
-Tray Deee
AllHipHop.com: Are there any other artists that you still associate yourself with?
Tray Deee: Coniyac, formerly of Doggy’s Angels, is my fiancée’ and she has been my backbone through this whole ordeal. 40 Glocc has been loyal and dependable from day one as well. Fredwreck, West Coast producer and current host of MTV Arabia, stays in touch as does another bomb West Coast producer by the name of Scratch. The Lady of Rage used to write me and so did Ms. Toi. I’ve received one kite from Bad Azz and a postcard from Xzibit while he was in Tokyo. Those are all that come to mind at this time.
AllHipHop.com: Do you have any unreleased music that you plan on releasing while you’re locked up? And do you plan on continuing with your rap career upon your release?
Tray Deee: Truthfully, I don’t have many unreleased tracks. As for me recording any new material once I touch down, I’m going to first consult with a few reputable and knowledgeable industry executives to figure it out from there. Metaphorically, all of the stars have to be aligned for me to re-enter the game as an artist.
AllHipHop.com: Now that you are older, what is your view on the gangster lifestyle? Has it changed any since your incarceration?
Tray Deee: My personal pedigree and the environment that I come from is the foundation of gangsterism. Pushin’ a G-Line for me was as natural as a Norwegian becoming a fisherman, or someone born and raised in Salt Lake City, Utah being a Mormon. Los Angeles and its surrounding county of urban warzones; Long Beach, Compton, Watts, Lynwood and Gardena is the birthplace of the Crips, Bloods and Surenos (Mexican-American street gangs). Gang-bangin’ is prevalent on almost every block in these communities: Hangin’ out, slangin’ dope, shoot-outs, assaults, and all else that this particular lifestyle entails. So my view on anything gangster is this: Either you breathe, think, act, sleep and dream gangsta shit or else you’re simply perpetrating – period, point blank. Much has changed now that I am older. I’m a totally committed Muslim now, so I understand the significance of life now, and therefore I approach people and situations differently. Change is essential to growth and I have perceptually expanded considerably.
AllHipHop.com: Aside from music, do you have any other plans for yourself once you are released?
Tray Deee: I have many plans to execute once I shake this joint. My initial goal is to reunite with my children and redevelop the special bond that a father shares with his seeds. Business-wise, I intend to have my semi-autobiography published and accomplish short-term objectives until I settle into what best suits my interest at that time.
AllHipHop.com: Are you able to keep up with any new music that is coming out? If so, what are your thoughts on what you are hearing?
Tray Deee: Yes. I have an AM/FM radio with a cassette and CD player, so I do lend an ear to what’s supposed to be the new hotness – and for the most part what crosses my ear is crossover pop, pseudo-techno and vocoder trash. Then again, I don’t have access to any underground radio shows, so I can’t speak on the full spectrum of rap. I hear Glasses Malone is tight. I like Game and I feel that he’s improved with each release. Crooked I is one of my favorite artists, and I dig Plies style as well as Young Jeezy. Oh, and I am waiting to hear Bishop Lamont’s project.
AllHipHop.com: Tray Deee, thank you taking the time to answer these questions. Do you have anything that you would like to tell your fans and the rest of the audience out there?
Tray Deee: Much love to all of the real Big Tray Deee/Eastsidaz fans. Y’all weather the storm out there, have faith in the Creator and trust that it gets greater later. Peace!
