Trick Daddy
Rapper and Record Label Owner
Miami Connection
Trick Daddy put Miami's Liberty City on the map as a Dirty South rap epicenter, pioneering the sound with Slip-N-Slide Records and hits that bridged local club anthems to national charts. His career elevated Southern hip-hop's profile, mentoring artists like Trina and launching Dunk Ryder Records to support Miami talent. His authentic storytelling of street life fostered community pride and inspired generations in South Florida's music scene.
About
Born Maurice Samuel Young in 1973 or 1974 in Miami, Florida, Trick Daddy grew up in the Liberty City neighborhood's Pork-n-Beans Projects with his mother and 10 siblings after his family relocated from Goulds. A troubled youth involving drug dealing, arrests, and prison time following his brother's murder shaped his early life before he pivoted to music at the urging of Slip-N-Slide Records founder Ted Lucas. He debuted in 1996 on Luther 'Luke' Campbell's track 'Scarred,' leading to his 1997 album Based on a True Story and breakout regional hits like 'Nann Nigga' and 'Shut Up' featuring Trina. National success came with 2001's 'I'm a Thug' and 2004's 'Let's Go,' peaking at 7 on the Billboard Hot 100, while his album Thug Matrimony hit 2 on the Billboard 200. Deeply connected to Miami's hip-hop scene, he left Slip-N-Slide in 2008 to launch Dunk Ryder Records, nurturing local artists like Ice 'Billion' Berg. Today, he remains an influential figure in Miami's entertainment landscape as a rapper, producer, and occasional actor.