According to the dictionary a trademark is a name, symbol, or other device identifying a product, officially registered and legally restricted to the use of the owner or manufacturer. It is a distinctive characteristic by which a person or thing comes to be known. It is also the root-word from which Texas rapper Trai'D (pronounced Tray D), one of the South's hottest MCs choose to base his stage moniker Traidmark on. "Trai'D is short for Traidmark. I chose that as my name because a "trademark" is the symbol that a company or organization uses to represent them and their product. In my case where ever I'm at I'm representin' my people, my city, my label, everything I stand for to the fullest." Born Joseph Aschalew (Ethiopian Descent) in Dallas, Texas twenty- two years ago, Trai'D grew up in the City's rough and tumble Oakcliff district, a place where poverty, drugs and violent crime walk hand-in- hand, often claiming the lives of many young Black and Latino males. After recording the song "Gutta Chick” (2008) it led him to his first major label situation with Jive Records. Since then, he has steadily been building his reputation and a online cult following with the releases of numerous mixtapes and singles and continuing to tour amongst the south. When asked about his legacy Trai’D reminisces on what got him in the music business and how a song he recorded in his bedroom ended up on the billboards. “It was destiny, I was about to graduate high school and on my way to college when my last situation fell into my lap. I can’t really tell u why I do music, I Just Do This Sh*t!” Now rapping, writing, & producing he’s clearly taking control of his destiny to become something more then everybody ever imagined. As a student of the game Trai’D understands what it takes to be successful in this business and knows its really only a matter of time.