Q&A: Truth Universal on Grassroots, Psychoward and New Orleans’ underground hip-hop

Truth Universal was born in Trinidad and moved to New Orleans in 1977 at 4 years old, growing up on St. Bernard Avenue in the 7th Ward and in New Orleans East. After getting hooked on hip-hop culture at an early age, he started emceeing in 9th grade and developed into a performing artist while studying at Louisiana Tech and Grambling. By the late-’90s and early-2000s, Truth Universal was making a name for himself in New Orleans and on the road for his socially conscious, provocative hip-hop. In 2002, he launched Grassroots, a monthly hip-hop showcase, which ran first at the Neighborhood Gallery and then the Dragon’s Den. It became an influential hub for underground hip-hop in New Orleans — and a launching pad for many local emcees, like Dee-1 and Alfred Banks. Grassroots held its last event in 2012. Over the last decade or so, Truth Universal has steadily eased back on live performances but remains a renowned figure in the city’s underground hip-hop community. And although he isn’t seen as often on stage, he has continued to release new music, including the recent single, “Conscious X Trill.” Find more on Instagram: @truthuniversal. This interview is part of a...