Trae Morris on Life, Lessons & Legacy

We’re looking forward to introducing you to Trae Morris. Check out our conversation below.

Trae, we’re thrilled to have you with us today. Before we jump into your intro and the heart of the interview, let’s start with a bit of an ice breaker: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day are honestly spent praying, taking my child outside (sapphire, she’s a yorkie and she’s 11), and making my way to the gym before I log into work for the day .

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Some of your readers may already be familiar with me, but for those who aren’t, my name is Trae Morris. I’m a recording artist and actor, and this past June I celebrated ten years of working professionally in music—a milestone that still feels both humbling and inspiring. Over the years, I’ve stepped into principal acting roles, performed on stage, and poured my heart into music, always looking for ways to merge storytelling with performance.

Right now, I’m signed with One Degree Entertainment and working on a new music project that feels like a reintroduction—almost a rebirth of who I am as an artist. For me, this moment isn’t just about new music, but about growth, authenticity, and showing the world a side of me that I think even longtime supporters will experience in a fresh way.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who taught you the most about work?
I’d have to say my parents taught me the most about work. At my core, I’m a momma’s boy, but the older I get, the more I find myself coming back to the lessons my dad instilled in me. He really shaped my understanding of what it means to be a man—how to provide, protect, finish what you start, and always do things with excellence. His rule was simple: either do it right, or don’t do it at all.

One memory that stands out is when we were washing the car together. I thought I was done, but he checked behind me and pointed out that one of the tires was still dirty. He sprayed the bleach white, let it sit, then showed me what a truly clean tire looked like—no shortcuts, no armor all, just doing it the right way. It may seem like a small thing, but that lesson stuck. Even now, when I feel myself rushing, I think back to that tire and remind myself: slow down, take your time, and do it right the first time.

One of my dad’s sayings has become a mantra I repeat almost daily: “Choose the hard right over the easy wrong.” It’s guided me not just in work, but in life.

What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering has been my greatest teacher because it forced me to lean on God in a way that success never could. Success feels good, but it doesn’t challenge your faith the same way trials do. Through my hardest seasons, I discovered that with God and the Holy Spirit guiding me, there is no obstacle too heavy, no door too closed, and no setback that can truly stop me.

I’ve always said I don’t believe in the word “can’t” or the word “no.” And while my faith is what ultimately gives me that conviction, I also like to joke that with God—and maybe a three-inch boot—there isn’t a single door I can’t kick down. The struggles I’ve faced reminded me that strength doesn’t come from me alone—it comes from God working through me. Suffering grounded me, sharpened me, and built a faith that success alone could never give.

Sure, so let’s go deeper into your values and how you think. What’s a belief or project you’re committed to, no matter how long it takes?
There are actually two projects I’m committed to, no matter how long they take. First, I’ve always said that when I reach a certain level of success, I’m going back to my hometown to build what I like to call a big ass park—but in reality, it’ll be a huge, state-of-the-art space for kids and teens. Think Top Golf meets Main Event, but in small-town Mississippi. Growing up, kids had to travel 35 to 40 minutes just to catch a movie or go skating, and I want to change that. Young people deserve a place to thrive right where they are. And to make it even more meaningful, the only people I’d employ would be teenagers and those experiencing homelessness.

That vision ties directly into my second commitment: creating housing solutions. I want to take abandoned or rundown houses, rehab them, and turn them into boarding homes or bed-and-breakfast-style spaces with rentable rooms. Almost like the house in Hey Arnold! where his granddad took in boarders—exactly that kind of energy.

This is personal for me because, during my pursuit of an entertainment career, I actually experienced housing instability myself. I was unhoused for about two months—while I was still appearing on TV. People often hear about artists signing deals and not seeing their money, but that doesn’t just happen to the big names. It can happen to artists on every level. So while I’ve always wanted to create these spaces, the mission hits even harder now. Having lived it, I know firsthand how dignity, stability, and opportunity can change the course of someone’s life.

Okay, so before we go, let’s tackle one more area. Are you doing what you were born to do—or what you were told to do?
I’d say it’s a mix of both. Corporate is a job, sure, but it’s also a means to an end. I’m in corporate America now because 34-year-old me has bills, a boyfriend, a house—grown-ass responsibilities. Looking back at 24-year-old me, I could have gone all in and struggled, just living off odd jobs. I’ve done it before: rideshare, background acting, performing when I could. It gets exhausting. I’ve realized I prefer stability while grinding over the pure “struggle grind.”

College was part of that compromise, too. I went for two reasons: one, because I had to experience an HBCU—my pro-Black self had to be on the yard—and two, because while my parents always encouraged my music dreams, they believed in a backup plan. So I got my degree, making sure I could provide for myself while still chasing what I was born to do.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/traemorris_/?hl=en
• Twitter: https://x.com/IamTraeMorris/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/T.Morris2014
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@traemorris9191?si=SIvTmvLvVNti3L3-