Born December 3, 1986, Tripp Hella lived in Highland Park, MI. with his mother, father, brother and uncle for a short while until a fire that started at one end of the block and stopping where he resided was burned to the ground. From there to his grandmothers apartment in Southfield, MI. for about a year. This is where the gift of music and art was brought to the fore front. He began singing in a gospel group with his cousins at every church event then learned to play the violin and drums, Tripp became very passionate about his gift. After finally finding a place to call home on the east side of Detroit, MI., Tripp was able to rapidly expand his senses on music.

In Elementary, Tripp joined the marching band and started playing every percussion instrument as well as learning to play the piano and tuba. Growing up on the east side during the most influential stages of his life, Tripp went through many different trials and tribulations. During that time he discovered a way of using his vocals as a means to talk about his life. By the time Tripp reached high school at Detroit High School for the Fine and Performing Arts (now know as Detroit School of Arts) he had gone from simply wanting to write to wanting to record his music. At DSA, Tripp took up a major in Visual Arts and minored in Band. Tripp was always very artistic and Visual Arts is where he expanded the skills that would later lead him into becoming a tattoo artist. Tripp finally got a chance in 2000 to get into the studio and record. From there Tripp began passing out copies of his discs to friends around his neighborhood and at school.

When Tripp was “adopted” by a local rap group (Self Made) in 2005, he knew without doubt that music was for him. Tripp began performing at local bars and strip clubs but later was blessed with the chance to open for a few industry greats at bigger venues. Tripp’s love of performing live equally matches his love and passion for recording the music. Tripp Hellas is currently managed independently and has formed his own entertainment company; Original Empire Entertainment.

With influences from his big brothers at Self Made and greats such as DMX, Jay-Z, 2 Pac, Michael Jackson, The Temptations and a other Motown legends, Tripp developed his own unique style. Understanding what music is and what it means to him allows Tripp to continue to write and record his own music with the same passion that started 10 years ago. Today Tripp performs live every chance he gets and is the true definition of “WORK”. Always striving for the next level, it is clear to see that Tripp is most definitely an artist in every sense of the word.

In recent years, Tripp Hella has been reconnecting with his Jamaican heritage. With numerous trips to Jamaica to visit family and record music, Tripp began to fill a missing void that was always there. Diving head first into his culture, connecting with the people, food and all around way of life was in his words; “The best thing that has happened”. Even so much that it began to reflect in his music. Combining the two worlds through music; Reggae and Rap, Tripp Hella created the music genre that he titles Island Trap. To date, Tripp Hella continues on his quest through his music to bring more light to a place that runs through his blood; Jamaica.