Trina's "Amazin’" Turns 13

Trina’s fifth album Amazin’ was released 13 years ago and marked a shift in the rapper’s artistry. The Miami native showed the world her versatility on the project and gained new fans after its release. The rap queen kept the momentum after Still Da Baddest in 2008 solidified her status as one of the best in the game. With Amazin’, she kept the discussion running about how she truly is deserving of the title “Da Baddest Bitch.”

Amazin’ was released on May 4, 2010, under the label Slip-n-Slide Records. Unlike her previous works, the album had less of Trina’s signature sexual explicitness. However, she maintained her bold and assertive rapping style, taking no prisoners with her cocky bars. The album was packed with various anthems and saw the rapper collaborating with a wide range of artists.

The Diamond Princess had already racked up enough respect before the album's release. Trina achieved an incredible feat by even having four albums to her name. Her four albums before Amazin’ were met with a favorable reception. Nevertheless, the rap icon still had much more up her sleeve, and with the new decade, another sound was born. Trina spread her wings musically and made room to welcome the divergence of Hip Hop in the 2010s.

Four official singles were sent to radio, with a buzz single, “My Bitches”, released shortly after. Amazin’ also had two unreleased singles that were switched from the official set list and kept as album tracks. Trina featured several notable artists on Amazin’. She enlisted older and newer acts, from Hip Hop royalty Diddy and Rick Ross, to R&B legend Monica and fellow rapper Nicki Minaj, among others. 

Trina also ensured the production quality of Amazin’ was top-notch. The bass lines were clean and heavy, and the beats packed a punch. Her suggestive and powerful rap style paired well with the sonic elements and made for a high-energy affair. The rapper is no stranger to making bold claims, and Amazin’ was no different. With songs like “That’s My Attitude” and “Million Dollar Girl,” Trina proved she had no intentions of playing nice.

“Million Dollar Girl,” featuring Keri Hilson and Diddy, was a hit with fans of the rapper. The anthem, and the first single released after the album’s drop, covered financial independence women's success. Trina was her usual confident self on the single, boasting about her wealth and status. She proudly lets her listeners know that anything Trina wants, Trina gets.

Rapping alongside heavyweights like Lil Wayne might have been tough for others, but Trina held her own. On the track “Always,” the second song on the project that features Monica, Trina came out swinging. While she didn’t shy away from confessing her love, she made it known that she was still running things in true Trina fashion.

Regarding Amazin’s commercial success, the album peaked at the 13th spot on the Billboard Hot 100. However, on other charts, it performed much better. Amazin’ hit the top spot on Billboard’s Independent Albums chart. The album also hit the second and fourth spot on the Top Rap Albums and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts, respectively.

A highlight of the album was the track “My Bitches.” Trina has always been vocal about sisterhood within the rap community. The song hits differently today as the industry is rife with several beefs among women in rap. On the buzz single, Trina enlisted her protégées in the music video, showering love on friends. The industry is male-dominated, so the community among female rappers is needed now more than ever. 

In addition, Trina’s dedication to women's empowerment and independence was a recurring theme on the album. She showed her ability to be as hard-hitting as her male contemporaries but still effortlessly displayed her softness when needed. Amazin’ featured several anthems encouraging women to channel their self-worth, sexuality, and power. 

Amazin’ was also an essential moment in Trina’s career. Many female rappers over the years have yet to release five albums. Trina expressed joy at being able to record and release five albums at the time, which is a monstrous feat. Several outlets have noted Trina’s incredible consistency as a woman in the large world of Hip Hop.

Moreover, the album was well-received, especially for Trina’s blend of old and new sounds. Her musical evolution was noteworthy for its authenticity and flexibility. Amazin’ ushered Trina into a new decade of music and sounds, and the rapper proved she could adapt. The Diamond Princess showed the world why she was to be revered and respected as an icon.

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