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| Trae, Baby Jae and KleanCutt (of the group Kracker Nuttz), and attorney Warren Fitzgerald Jr. |
Houston rapper Trae Tha Truth filed a lawsuit against Radio One’s 97.9 The Box, charging the station with settling personal matters by destroying his on-air career along with other business relationships he has within the industry.
The suit names the station’s general manager Doug Abernathy, program manager Terri Thomas and radio personality DJ Nnete Inyangumia.
“I’ve got to stand up. I can’t sit back and do nothing. What about the next ones coming up after me, are we going to forever be silent about it?” Trae questions.
Trae is notably one of the most community involved rappers within the Houston community, and was recognized for his efforts by Mayor Bill White in 2008, who officially designated July 22 as Trae Day.
DJ Nnete of the “Mad Hatta Morning Show” publicly blamed the rapper for violence that erupted during Trae Day 2009. After Trae made a reference about DJ Nnete regarding her weight on his mixtape, a ban on his music went into effect.
“We feel he was handled very poorly and that his character and reputation [were] disparaged on the radio,” said Trae’s attorney, Warren Fitzgerald Jr. “The defendants have gone beyond the parameters of legally sanctioned activity in first banning Trae’s music, then to go as far as to intentionally interfere with his business relationships and thus destroy his career.”
The ban on Trae’s music continues to place limitations on his career. He and his attorney are seeking compensation for damages to his reputation and loss of professional opportunities among other things. “I am me, I got to do what I got to do. I’ve always been the one who stands up for everybody,” Trae said.
–callye peyrovi
