Chart-topping hard rock group TRAPT have been at the top of the headlines lately, primarily relating to vocalist Chris Taylor Brown verbalizing his opinions about various subjects, whether political, personal or beyond. In a recent interview with Loudwire, Brown addresses what has become a rather tumultuous past few months on social media, taking ownership of his recent comments regarding rumoured altercations with fellow musicians and various other publicized opinions.
What many do not know is that these events have not coincidentally lead up to the release of TRAPT’s new single and music video “Human (Like The Rest Of Us)”, which touches upon the theme that all of us are human, imperfect, and often make mistakes. Watch the new music video for “Human” (a Rind-Raja Picture Company production, produced by Roth Rind and directed by Jay K. Raja) below:
Brown states, “We are all bound by the emotions that we as Humans are capable of feeling. When we numb ourselves, because the pain is too great, we are no longer Human. To be imperfect, to be emotional is Human. Your emotions guide you. Listen to them. They will allow you to feel empathy towards others and others to feel you, but only if you allow it. Open up and FEEL! Do not be afraid. The only way we can come together as one HUMAN RACE is through understanding each other. The only way to understand is to FEEL, even when it hurts the most. When you are hurting the most, others will feel it too. They will help you, as you do them. #Humanaboveall”
While certain recent social media conversations of Brown’s have not been completely random and without planning, he does recognize his imperfect humanity and that some of his recent comments have been made relatively off-the-cuff and potentially received as insensitive by some. Read an official statement from Chris Taylor Brown regarding his recent social media comments regarding racial topics below:
“First off, I want to say that I am imperfect, but that is what makes me who I am and what I think is part of being Human. This brings me to the recent spat of verbal barbs I threw around a few weeks ago that at times sounded mean and much like bullying. It should be easy to shrug off insults that have nothing to do with the subject you are talking about and are only meant to get a rise out of you, but I did not shrug it off and the way I went about defending myself is definitely not the way one should go about spreading a message and I apologize to anyone I may have offended. The message gets lost when you engage in this way.
I read all of these words about one group of people having certain privileges over another based solely on the color of their skin and it doesn’t sit right with me. I don’t mean to poke fun at the whole thing, but, I did, and I take full responsibility for anyone who may have been hurt by me making fun of the white privilege concept. I have my views and want to express unity through music. I believe that we are all bound by the ability to feel the same emotions and that love and understanding can and do bring people of all races together. Anyone who wishes to segregate themselves can do so, while the rest of us move forward, as we have been for decades. I also believe that there are original sins and acknowledging them through the many advances that this country has made in regard to civil rights, go very far in showing how a country can come together for the greater good. We just made it possible for any human being to marry any other human being, how is that for progress?
I admit that I can come across as harsh when my passion precedes me. If anything I have ever said comes across as racist, that was not my intention. If saying that “white privilege is the sole reason for one human being having more privilege over another” is not true, makes someone feel as though, I or the band that I front is racist, then let me tell you now that this could not be further from the truth. Growing up in a mixed race household and having a side of the family whose roots start in Mexico versus a side of the family with roots in The United Kingdom, I have seen how people can be mistrusting of others based upon what they do not understand about them. Once they understand each other and get to know more about each other those walls are broken down. Understanding comes through clear messages and those that feel they need to be heard, should do all they can to be heard. I hate having to read how some people think that this can all be dumbed down to “the complexion of one’s skin.” I have a problem with one group of people being singled out on the basis of their skin color.
Again, the moral of the story is how you spread your message and what you want to say. Passion can trip you up. It tripped me up and I allowed the narrative to take turns that did not help spread the message I want to spread. I came across as racist to some, because I chose not to give merit to the idea that only skin complexion grants privilege. I want to tell anyone who is listening now that I believe every man and woman on this planet can rise together, but only through understanding each other’s struggles.”
Head back to Loudwire early next week to read Part two of Chris Taylor Brown’s in-depth interview regarding these recent events.
“Human (Like The Rest Of Us) ” is available on iTunes:
Human (Like the Rest of Us) – Trapt
About TRAPT:
TRAPT have worked for well over a decade to reach this point. Their 2002 double-platinum self-titled debut charged out of the gate with their defining and memorable single “Headstrong”, which reached #1 on the Billboard Mainstream Rock and Modern Rock charts. TRAPT was a featured act on popular video games like Rock Band and Tap Tap Revenge 2, and their music can be heard on countless WWE specials. In addition, TRAPT has shared the stage with heavy hitters such as Mötley Crüe, Nickelback, Hinder,Chevelle, and many more. Most recently, their 2012 album No Apologies entered the Billboard Top 200 at #25, followed by another top 50 debut for 2013’s Reborn.
Featuring an addictive, polished sound that can be sampled via “Human (Like The Rest Of Us)”, TRAPTwill release their upcoming sixth studio album DNA, hitting stores this fall via Crash Collide. Get ready – this album is going to alter everything fans have grown to know about TRAPT. Want another taste? Take a listen to TRAPT’s previously released single from DNA, “Passenger”, here:https://youtu.be/G86PUmUp5lA
Follow TRAPT:
www.youtube.com/user/officialtrapt
https://twitter.com/traptofficial
TRAPT is:
Chris Taylor Brown – vocals/guitar
Pete Charell – bass
Dylan Thomas Howard – drums
Ty Fury – lead guitar
