Trae tha Truth on His Friend George Floyd’s Link to Houston Hip-Hop and the Fight for Justice

George Floyd had roots in Houston’s influential hip-hop scene. After growing up in the city’s Third Ward, he was a member of DJ Screw’s hometown collective, the Screwed Up Click. Rapping as Big Floyd, his booming voice appeared on various Screw mixtapes in the late 1990s. A handful of tracks with his verses have been circulating since the 46-year-old was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis on May 25, setting off protests against racial injustice all over the country. The officer who pinned his knee against Floyd’s neck for eight minutes and 46 seconds, Derek Chauvin, has since been fired and charged with third-degree murder and manslaughter; three other officers on the scene were fired but have yet to be charged.

Trae tha Truth, a Houston rap veteran whose given name is Frazier Thompson III, befriended Floyd after first meeting him in the city’s hip-hop circles about 15 years ago. In addition to his prolific musical output, the 39-year-old Trae has also been honored for his local philanthropic efforts. His activism continues this afternoon in Houston, where thousands are expected to turn out for a march led by Trae and fellow H-Town rapper Bun B, along with the family of George Floyd. This morning, we spoke with Trae about Floyd’s legacy, the march, and what’s next in the fight for racial justice.

Pitchfork: You’ve said people need to understand that George was somebody’s father, somebody’s uncle, somebody’s brother, somebody’s friend. What was he like?

Trae tha Truth: He was definitely one of the most genuine, humblest people, man. Real, real big dude, but he also had a real, real big heart at the same time. He was one of those people who don’t really care about opinions or what people think. He just stood for what’s right. And he loved music.

He found himself getting closer to God as time went by, too. And he shared that with a lot of people, even helped people that didn’t necessarily have a relationship with God to start getting closer. He took a lot of the younger people from the hood under his wing and gave them knowledge.

And then with me, he would always support everything I do in the community—just everything, whether it was life or my career.

What are some of your fondest memories of him?

At times when it really counted, he stood. When I was shut down from the world and it seemed like everybody turned on me, he didn’t.

One time, George walked up to me before I got [a humanitarian award in Houston], and he was like, ‘Man, bro, we’re going to change the world one day.’” And right now, he’s actually changing the world.

How did today’s march come together and what do you hope will come out of it?

I just decided to do it Sunday afternoon. I wanted to shed light on the family and let them speak, so the world can feel them and understand that. And maybe even the [Minnesota] attorney general [Keith Ellison] can hear their plea, so he understands that you have to charge all of these people. The attorney general needs to be held accountable to make sure he holds them accountable. I even think he should charge the medical examiner that gave the false medical exam. Everybody’s gotta be held accountable.

What was it like when you protested in Minneapolis a few days ago?

With the people, it was pure love. But then as it got deeper into the day and officers came out, that’s when the tension got worse. Because it’s about respect. And if they’re not respecting people equally, then you’re gonna get that type of energy back. You can’t just mistreat somebody.

Do you remember where you were when you first found out what happened to George?

I was on the floor in my living room, asleep with my daughter. One of my people called me and woke me up. He’s like, “Man, they’re saying Floyd died.” I’m like, “What are you talking about? Send it to me.” When I saw it, I was stunned. I just froze for a minute, like, “Wow.” Because it really makes you feel less of a man that you can’t even help your people to hear him crying like that while reaching out for help.

What do you think George would say if he could see how much he’s helped people wake up?

I know he would be proud.

Find more resources in the fight against police brutality and systemic racism, including a list of organizations to donate to if you’re able, here.

Originally Appeared on Pitchfork