Roland Collins (born November 23, 1985), better known by the stage name Troy Ave, is an American rapper from the Crown Heights neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York City. His moniker derives from Troy Avenue, a street near his childhood home.[3] In November 2013, his first studio album, New York City: The Album, was released. It debuted at number 47 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums chart.[4] He was named in XXL magazine's 2014 Freshmen Class.[5]
Troy Ave | |
|---|---|
| Birth name | Roland Collins |
| Born | November 23, 1985[1][2] Brooklyn, New York, U.S. |
| Genres | Hip hop |
| Occupation | Rapper |
| Years active | 2006–present |
| Labels | BSB Records • EMPIRE |
| Website | www |
Career
editThis section needs expansion. You can help by adding to it. (June 2023) |
Collins began his rap career in 2009.[6]
He announced that his new street album, Dope Boy Troy Vol. 2: NuPac was released in April 2017.[7]
Feud with Joey Badass
editIn June 2015, tensions began brewing between Troy Ave and a fellow Brooklyn-native rapper Joey Badass, when the latter declared himself the "#1 independent hip hop recording artist and a brand in the world" in a series of tweets, to which the former responded in another tweet by pointing out that he has been signed to Cinematic Music Group, whose music is distributed by RED Distribution, a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment.[8] Joey Badass later refuted reports of a feud between him and Troy Ave in another tweet.[9]
On July 7, 2015, in an interview with Ebro Darden on Hot 97, Joey Badass had words of praise for Troy Ave, stating: "At some point you gotta [sic] have some level of respect for Troy because, at the end of the day, we're both independent artists who are standing on major platforms next to a whole bunch of major artists and they know who we are."[10] In February 2016, he reignited the feud in a single, titled "Ready", where he raps: "60k, first week for the badass / 200k to this day, I know you niggas mad / With that 80-20 split, my nigga do the math / my nigga Kirk just outsold Troy Ave" (in reference to Kirk Knight's debut studio album Late Knight Special and Troy Ave's second studio album Major Without a Deal).[11][12] In response, Troy Ave released a diss track, titled "Badass" the following week, in which he not only insulted Joey Badass, but also targeted fellow Pro Era member Capital Steez, who committed suicide by jumping off a building in December 2012.[13][14]
...Don't get suicidal like your friend, here's a casket / Steez burning in hell, my burner's in my belt / I'm really killing shit, you niggas killing yourself / Fucking weirdos, off the roof, "Steer clear, yo!" / This nigga's trying to fly, he think he a superhero / Splat man, fuck you and that man / and all three labels you signed to, they whack man...
— Troy Ave, on his song "Badass".[15]
Following the release of "Badass", Troy Ave called in at Sway in the Morning on Shade 45, stating: "He didn't pass away; he killed himself. There's a difference. He took his own life. God gave you life, it ain't your right to take that. That's a fact. I got niggas in jail who got life sentences, they might as well be dead. They could've traded their life for his."[16] He then received heavy criticism from fans and fellow artists alike, including Styles P,[17][18] ASAP Ant and ASAP Twelvyy, who wrote, amongst a series of other tweets: "Wish I had a time machine to go back and give these niggas moms [sic] that abortion money."[19]
On March 29, 2016, in a freestyle on Sway in the Morning, Joey Badass responded to "Badass" in a series of lines aimed at Troy Ave, though never referring to him directly. Among other lines, he rapped: "Now I won't even lie, can't agree with suicide / but in the darkest times, there's still a brighter side / He took a leap of faith and only brightened his light / You took a cheap shot at hate and only shortened your life."[20][21] In an interview with HipHopDX the following day, Fat Joe stated that he personally reached out to both Joey Badass and Troy Ave to try and squash the feud, but failed.[22]
Legal issues
editOn May 26, 2016, Collins was arrested for attempted murder and illegal weapon possession for shooting at a T.I. concert.[23][24][25] During the event at Irving Plaza, where T.I. and others were scheduled to perform, four people were shot, one fatally, by a shooter from the VIP section of the event. The man who died, Ronald McPhatter, 33, was said to be a friend of Collins, who was first taken to NYU Langone Medical Center and then transferred to nearby NYC Health + Hospitals/Bellevue where he was arrested as a primary suspect in the shooting.[26][27] While at the hospital, it was alleged that the gunshot wound was self-inflicted.[27]
Collins pleaded not guilty, claiming self-defense and that he and McPhatter were shot by an unnamed assailant. He was remanded without bail.[28] His lawyer then urged the public to come forward with any information that witnesses could provide.[29]
Collins dropped a single called "Chuck Norris (Hoes & Gangstas)" and a mixtape called Free Troy Ave, in reference to his condition of being charged with shootings.[30] It was released on June 6, 2016.[30] On July 11, 2016, he made bail and was temporarily released.[31]
Discography
editStudio albums
edit| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US [32] |
US R&B [33] |
US Rap [34] | ||
| New York City: The Album | — | 47 | — | |
| Major Without a Deal | 109 | 14 | 13 | |
| "—" denotes a title that did not chart, or was not released in that territory. | ||||
Mixtapes
edit| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| I'm In Traffick[37] |
|
| Bricks In My Backpack[38] |
|
| KFC (Kilos For Cheap) |
|
| Bricks In My Backpack 2: Powder To The People[39] |
|
| Bricks In My Backpack 3: The Harry Powder Trilogy[40] |
|
| White Christmas[41] |
|
| BSB Vol. 1[42] |
|
| BSB Vol. 2[43] |
|
| BSB Vol. 3[44] |
|
| White Christmas 2[45] |
|
| BSB Vol. 4 |
|
| BSB Vol. 5 |
|
| BSB Vol. 5: The Extras (EP) |
|
| Major Without A Deal (Reloaded) |
|
| White Christmas 3 |
|
| Free Troy Ave |
|
| Roland Collins |
|
| White Christmas 4 |
|
| Dope Boy Troy |
|
| Nupac |
|
| Style 4 Free |
|
| Album of The Summer |
|
| White Christmas 5 |
|
| More Money More Problems |
|
| White Christmas 6 |
|
| White Christmas 7 |
|
| Troy Ave, Vol. 1 |
|
| Troy Ave, Vol. 2 |
|
| White Christmas 8 |
|
| Kill or Be Killed |
|
| God Is Great Paper Straight |
|
| The 2022 Season |
|
| THE SUNDAY SERVICE |
|
Singles
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Hot Out"[46] | 2013 | New York City: The Album |
| "New York City"[47] (featuring Raekwon, N.O.R.E. and Prodigy) | ||
| "Your Style" (featuring Lloyd Banks) |
2014 | BSB Vol. 4 |
| "All About The Money" (featuring Young Lito & Manolo Rose) |
Non-album single | |
| "All About The Money" (Remix) (featuring Young Jeezy & Rick Ross) |
Major Without a Deal | |
| "Doo Doo" | 2015 | |
| "Bang Bang" (featuring 50 Cent) | ||
| "Do Betta" (featuring Ty Dolla Sign) | ||
| "She Belongs to the Game" (featuring Young Lito) Certification : Gold |
Non-album single |
Promotional singles
edit| Title | Year | Album |
|---|---|---|
| "Your Style (Remix)"[48] (featuring Puff Daddy, T.I. and Ma$e) |
2014 | BSB Vol. 5 and Major Without A Deal |
Guest appearances
edit| Title | Year | Other artist(s) | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| "Only Life I Know" | 2012 | Fabolous | The S.O.U.L. Tape 2 |
| "If It Aint About Money" | 2014 | Pyro Prada, Grand Hustle | SXEW Vol. 1: The Grand Hustle |
| "Self Made" | Uncle Murda, GMG | Ain't Nothing Sweet | |
| "What They Want" | Drake, GMG, Raekwon, Drake, Tank, Jerry Wonda | ||
| "Famous as Fuck"[49] | Pink Grenade | Fear of a Pink Planet | |
| "Drug Money" | 2015 | Young Buck, 50 Cent | — |
References
edit- ^ "IFWT Wishes Troy Ave A Happy Birthday!". In Flex We Trust. November 23, 2012. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- ^ "The Break Presents: Troy Ave – XXL". Xxlmag.com. November 28, 2011. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- ^ Drew Millard (June 13, 2012). "We Interviewed Troy Ave". Archived from the original on June 16, 2012. Retrieved November 12, 2013.
He derives his name from Troy Ave, the street he grew up on in Crown Heights.
- ^ "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums". Billboard. January 1, 2013. Retrieved November 15, 2013.
- ^ Sia, Niccole (May 5, 2014). "XXL Freshmen 2014 Cover Revealed". XXL Magazine. Retrieved May 6, 2014.
- ^ "Troy Ave Biography". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved May 28, 2016.
- ^ "Troy Ave to Drop New Album April 14th Called "NuPac"". vladtv.com. Retrieved April 20, 2017.
- ^ Alexis, Nadeska (June 23, 2015). "Joey Bada$$ And Troy Ave Are Trying To Out-Indie Each Other". MTV News. Archived from the original on March 26, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ^ Wiener, Natalie (June 23, 2015). "Troy Ave & Joey Badass Duke It Out On Twitter Over Who Runs the (Independent) Rap Game". Billboard. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ^ Goddard, Kevin (July 7, 2015). "Joey Bada$$ Talks Troy Ave Tweets & Steez Day Festival On Ebro In The Morning". HotNewHipHop. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ^ Ivey, Justin (February 22, 2016). "Joey Badass Throws Shots at Troy Ave on "Ready"". XXL. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ^ Least, Hugh (March 6, 2016). "Joey Bada$$ & Troy Ave Beef: 5 Things We Learned". HipHopDX. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ^ Mahadevan, Tara (July 5, 2016). "Joey Bada$$ and Pro Era Turn Tragedy Into Celebration With Their Annual Steez Day Festival". LA Weekly. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
- ^ Rosenberg, Eli (November 26, 2013). "Capital STEEZ: King Capital". The Fader. Retrieved August 30, 2016.
- ^ Weinstein, Max (February 29, 2016). "Troy Ave Responds to Joey Badass on "Bad Ass"". XXL. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ^ Madden, Sidney (March 1, 2016). "Troy Ave Speaks on Capital Steez Diss: "Don't Play With Me"". XXL. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
- ^ Kyles, Yohance (March 3, 2016). "Troy Ave Apologizes For Suicide Comments & Responds To Joey Bada$$ Exposing His Old Tweets About Nas". AllHipHop. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ^ Rathon, Rocko (March 3, 2016). "Styles P Educates Troy Ave On Twitter Regarding His Suicide Comments". The Source. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
- ^ Kyles, Yohance (March 2, 2016). "A$AP Mob Members Blast Troy Ave For Disrespecting Capital STEEZ; Troy Defends Dissing The Late Rapper". AllHipHop. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ^ Fleischer, Adam (March 30, 2016). "Joey Bada$$ To Troy Ave: "You Committed Career Suicide"". MTV News. Archived from the original on March 31, 2016. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ^ Mench, Chris (March 30, 2016). "Joey Bada$$ Claps Back at Troy Ave During His "5 Fingers of Death" Freestyle". Complex. Retrieved September 1, 2016.
- ^ Hunte, Justin (March 30, 2016). "Fat Joe Tried To Stop Joey Bada$$ & Troy Ave Beef". HipHopDX. Retrieved August 31, 2016.
- ^ "Rapper Troy Ave Is Arrested After Fatal Shooting at T.I. Concert". New York Times. May 27, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ "SEE IT: Rapper Troy Ave arrested after deadly shooting at T.I. concert at Irving Plaza". New York Daily News. May 27, 2016. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ "Troy Ave arrested for opening fire at T.I concert". Hip Hop Early. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ "Rapper Troy Ave arrested after shooting during T.I. concert at Irving Plaza in Manhattan". WABC-TV. Retrieved May 27, 2016.
- ^ a b Walker, Angus (May 29, 2016). "Troy's Ave wounded self-inflicted". Hotnewhiphop. Retrieved May 30, 2016.
- ^ "Troy Ave remanded without bail". BrooklynVegan. May 31, 2016. Retrieved June 4, 2016.
- ^ Simmons, Ted (June 3, 2016). "Troy Ave's lawyer puts a request to help rapper's case with any information". XXL. Retrieved June 3, 2016.
- ^ a b Simmons, Ted (June 6, 2016). "Troy Ave changes title of mixtape due to predicament". XXL. Retrieved June 6, 2016.
- ^ "Troy Ave free on bail". New York Daily News. July 11, 2016. Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ "Troy Ave - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^ "Troy Ave - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^ "Troy Ave - Chart History". Billboard. Retrieved November 10, 2020.
- ^ "iTunes – Music – New York City by Troy Ave". Itunes.apple.com. November 4, 2013. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- ^ "Troy Ave Readies "Major Without A Deal" Album". BallerStatus.com. May 5, 2015.[permanent dead link]
- ^ "iTunes – Music – Im In Traffick by Troy Ave". Itunes.apple.com. August 21, 2009. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- ^ "Troy Ave – Troy Ave "bricks In My Backpack" // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. September 27, 2010. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- ^ "Troy Ave – Bricks In My Backpack 2: Powder To The People // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. August 30, 2011. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- ^ "Troy Ave – Bricks In My Backpack 3: The Harry Powder Trilogy // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- ^ "Troy Ave – White Christmas Hosted by DJ Holiday // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. December 25, 2012. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- ^ Homie, Big (March 4, 2013). "New Mixtape: Troy Ave & BSB BSB Vol. 1". Rap Radar. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- ^ B.Dot (May 15, 2013). "New Mixtape: Troy Ave x BSB BSB Vol. 2". Rap Radar. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- ^ "Troy Ave – BSB Vol. 3 Hosted by DJ Holiday // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- ^ "Troy Ave – White Christmas 2 Hosted by DJ Drama // Free Mixtape @". Datpiff.com. December 24, 2013. Archived from the original on July 9, 2014. Retrieved January 4, 2014.
- ^ ""Hot Out" – Single by Troy Ave". iTunes Store. Apple. August 28, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
- ^ ""New York City" (feat. Raekwon, N.O.R.E., & Prodigy) – Single by Troy Ave". iTunes Store. Apple. September 10, 2013. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
- ^ ""Your Style (Remix)" [feat. Puff Daddy, T.I., & Ma$e] – Single by Troy Ave". iTunes Store. Apple. June 19, 2014. Retrieved June 21, 2014.
- ^ "Pink Grenade: Fear of a Pink Planet". AllMusic. Retrieved October 3, 2018.