Tommy Tyrone Jackson (born May 10, 1977), known by the stage name Tripp, is an American rapper, songwriter, record producer, entrepreneur, and owner of Still Hustlin Entertainment.
Early Life
Tripp was born in Dallas, Texas, and was raised in a middle class household in the neighborhood known as "Joppy." Tripp's parents Charlie Mae and Roosevelt Jackson made sure he had the best of everything. Being successful entrepreneurs themselves, Mr. and Mrs. Jackson taught Tripp what it really meant to be a Boss. Tripp attended St. Anthony's private school in Dallas, Texas, where he quickly became known for his superb math skills. While in the 5th grade Tripp began to beg his parents to go to public school to be with his boys. Tripp pleaded his case and was allowed to attend school in the Wilmer-Hutchins School District. At the age of 12, Tripp's parents began teaching him responsibility and independence by giving him his first house. It was there where Tripp found his passion for music. Tripp started his own DJ business in 1995 where he began to DJ at the neighborhood club "The Big House" in Joppy. One to always keep the people on the floor, Tripp began to write music and make beats to enhance his DJ business. Soon Tripp realized it was his destiny to be a hip hop mogul. At the age of 14, Tripp became a product of his environment and began to take part in the street game in his neighborhood of Joppy. It was only a matter of time before Tripp started selling marijuana. After only a couple of years in the game Tripp quickly became the Big Man on the block.
Always wanting to be his own boss, Tripp started Straight Drop Records and produced the hit rap group P.O.B. (Pissed Off and Broke) Politicians. P.O.B. achieved recognition for the Best Rap Group in Dallas, Texas in 2000 with hits such as "Big Boy Thangs, Big Girls, Fades and Braids, and the all-time Hood Rocker Bought That." P.O.B. traveled throughout the state of Texas closing out shows and rocking the crowds.
In 2003, when P.O.B. began to hit its peak, Tripp's world came tumbling down when his mom lost her battle to cancer. Tripp's bright days turned into a nightmare when he lost the light of his life. Feeling like he had the weight of the world on his shoulders to succeed to support his family, Tripp began to hustle harder than he ever had before making sure P.O.B. made it to the top. P.O.B. began producing hit after hit with songs like "Where You At." This success was short lived because in January 2004, Tripp was indicted in the U.S. Federal court for possession of a control substance and a firearm. Although Tripp was a first time offender, he was sentenced to 10 years in a Federal Correctional Institution. Determined not to be defeated Tripp continued to perfect his God given talent of writing music. Tripp learned a lot about himself while in prison and decided instead of weighing his drugs he better weigh his options.
Tripp was released from the Federal Correctional Institution on April 24, 2014, and he hasn't looked back since. Tripp went straight from the penitentiary to the studio where he has been cranking out nothing but hits like "Cornbread Fed," "Say It With Ya Chest," and "Who Thought."
So sit back and listen to Tripp take you from Private School to the Penitentiary.