Magic City: Trials of a Native Son

by Trick Daddy, Peter Bailey

“A thug is someone who stands on his own. He lives by the decisions he makes and accepts the consequences. A thug is comfortable in his own skin. I wear mine like a glove.”

Trick Daddy was born a thug—just a stone’s throw from downtown Miami, yet a world away from its dazzling beauty and sparkling wealth. Where grinding poverty, deadly crime, and devastating racial tension taught kids to live by the ’hood rules. Remarkably, Trick came from nothing and made it big just when his chances had run out.

Magic City is the extraordinary tale of a boy whose father was a pimp, who learned to hustle to survive, and whose only role model was his brother, the drug dealer he watched plying his trade on the block. It’s the untold truth behind the cult movie Scarface , of the drug money that transformed the city into a shining mecca for the rich and famous while turf wars between smalltime pushers claimed countless lives. It’s also the incredible story of how that potent mixture of extremes—the electric pulse and glittering abundance of South Beach and the crime, corruption, and despair in its shadows—gave rise to the most dominant sound in hip-hop today. Magic City is an ode to Miami, a riveting tale of a paradise lost and a native son determined to infuse it with new life.

Genres: Music

272 pages, Paperback

First published November 16, 2010

Reviews

[Selena Haskins · Rating 1 out of 5]

When I first starting reading this book, I thought it was just me and that I was tired, so I tried to read it again when I was more alert, and still couldn't get into it. This is a poorly written book, not in terms of grammar or editing, but in terms of storytelling. I realize this is supposed to be Trick Daddy's life story, but it felt like I was reading pulp non-fiction. The story jumps around, and then he starts mentioning different people in his life as if we had already been introduced to them in previous chapters. This comes across as a book for people who already know Maurice Young, later known as "Trick Daddy." If you're not from Miami or did not know Trick Daddy, then I suggest reading about him elsewhere first. Otherwise, this is a book where you have to hunt for all of the facts and piece it together on your own, there's no timeline or cohesiveness. It's just a bunch of different stories told in no specific order or relevance to him. I only became interested in reading his story based on an interview he gave on VLAD TV, which was really good. I got more from his interview than from reading his book. Perhaps the saying is true for Trick Daddy, in that, some people are better at expressing themselves verbally than they are at writing.

[LaSara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was really hoping that Trick Daddy narrated this audiobook himself, but it was a good story nonetheless; the narrator did a good job. I really enjoyed this book and hearing about Trick's life. The book speaks about his childhood growing up among 10 siblings (more on the fathers side) in Miami to a single mother, being a childhood delinquent, surviving the crack/cocaine era, a felon turned superstar, to discovering his lupus diagnosis amongst his super stardom. He speaks truth about his compassion for single mothers and children and also how the streets and drugs are NOT the answer

[Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Surprising good read. This book adds context to his music and his role in southern hip-hop

[Reginald · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing I have a new found respect for Trick Daddy. Book also educated me on Miami's black history that isn't often talked about.

[Olymphia Davis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Good writing and great story telling.

[Homegirl · Rating 1 out of 5]

The majority of the book was about jail, drugs, and violence. His life after he became a rap star was rushed.

[D Books · Rating 3 out of 5]

I SHOULDN'T BE SAYING STUFF LIKE THIS :) , BUT….. when I found this book at my local library (in which the community is predominately white) my first thought was ‘Wow, white people brought this book for the library!’ (and, yes, my jaw dropped when I saw it there). I was so shocked at seeing it there that I just had to get it and it actually turned out to be a good book (minus the bad grammar and slang). Peter Bailey really did a great job of helping Trick get his story out in print. The book is an autobiography, but you’ll enjoy it because it reads like a believable fiction novel (you just don’t want to believe that he had experienced the things that he had gone through. You get this feeling….you know….the sort of feeling you got if you’ve read the book by Ishmael Beah, ‘Long Way Gone.’ Angry, sad, and shocked.…but yet you can’t put the book down). Trick did PLENNNNNNNNTY of bad things and made A LOOOOOOOT of bad choices but towards the end of the book he really started to understand how to “right” his life and that is what made this book worth the read. I’m REALLY PROUD that he changed his life around (albeit there is still room for improvement. Profane and violent lyrics aren’t really music, but don’t get me wrong because I have an idea of where he’s coming from and what he’s trying to say.) Why? Because I’m originally from the dirty south and can remember when bands at sporting events would play his song, “Take It To The House.” Although I did not grow up in the same environment as Trick, I do have family members who did. If you have someone that you care about (family or friend) that is always getting into trouble or is incarcerated right now (especially if they are incarcerated and have plenty of time on their hands), then send them this book because it just may be the one thing that they need to read to get them thinking about changing their life around (because sometimes preaching to them isn’t enough but understanding someone who once took a similar path to their own does make that difference). No young person should go through life thinking, ‘I got to get them before they get me,’ or ‘I can’t just let someone do that to me and just let it go without doing anything about it,’ or ‘it’s all the man’s fault.’ If you care about your community then help change the path of the people you think are making it bad or help the young ones see that someone does care, they can make a better life for themselves and others, and they don’t have to feel trapped. And if you’re wondering if I practice what I preach, then the answer is ‘yes.’ (Now that you know where I’m coming from, I will now get off the soap box.)

[Mitzi Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

The real miami

I'm a fan of Trick so this was a revealing look at his upbringing. I would have liked more detail on his career and dealing w his addiction as his rap career plateaued.