You’ve probably seen the clip. It’s grainy, it’s raw, and it feels like a fever dream from the 2017 SoundCloud rap era. Trippie Redd is wandering around, seemingly in his own world, while a camera follows his every move. This wasn't a high-budget music video or a polished PR stunt. It was Taking a Walk Trippie Redd, an episode of the iconic YouTube series by Pigeons & Planes that somehow became a time capsule for an entire generation of music.
People still obsess over it. Why?
Because it captured Michael Lamar White IV—the man behind the 1400 tattoo—at his most unfiltered. Most celebrity interviews are boring. They’re staged in hotel rooms with "publicist-approved" bottled water and rigid schedules. But when Trippie Redd sat down (or rather, walked around) for this segment, the energy was different. It was chaotic. It was real. It showed a kid from Canton, Ohio, who was suddenly the biggest thing in the world, trying to navigate fame while literally just pacing through his thoughts.
The Raw Energy of the Pigeons & Planes Walk
If you go back and watch the footage, the first thing you notice is the lack of a script. Trippie isn't trying to sell you a brand. He’s just talking. At the time, his breakout projects like A Love Letter to You were dominating the charts. He was the king of the "emo-rap" movement, blending melodic screams with trap beats in a way that felt both aggressive and deeply vulnerable.
During Taking a Walk Trippie Redd, we see him discussing his influences and his mindset. He doesn't sound like a corporate product. He sounds like a teenager with too much money and a massive vision. He talks about his creative process, which often involves freestyle sessions that turn into multi-platinum hits. He mentions how he views music as an emotional outlet—a way to purge the darkness he felt growing up.
The "Taking a Walk" series was brilliant because it removed the "performer" mask. When you’re walking, your body is moving, and your brain functions differently. You stop thinking about the camera. You start thinking about your life. For Trippie, that meant reflecting on his rapid ascent and the people he lost along the way. It’s arguably one of the most honest looks at his psyche we’ve ever seen.
Why "Taking a Walk" Became a Meme and a Masterpiece
The internet is a weird place. Sometimes, the most profound moments get turned into five-second loops on TikTok. The Taking a Walk Trippie Redd video suffered (or benefited) from this exact phenomenon.
- Fans loved his eccentricities: the way he looked at the camera, his unique fashion sense at the time, and that signature "Big 14" energy.
- The contrast was sharp: A multi-millionaire rapper just strolling through a normal environment, looking like he belonged and didn't belong all at the same time.
- The soundbites: Some of his quotes about "not caring" and "doing it for the fans" became mottos for his core audience.
But beneath the memes, there was a technical brilliance to his rise. Trippie wasn't just a "mumble rapper," a label that was lazily thrown at everyone in 2017. He was a vocalist. He understood melody. In the interview, you can hear the confidence in his voice when he talks about his sound. He knew he was changing the game. He wasn't guessing; he was executing.
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Comparing the "Walk" Era to Modern Trippie
Looking back at that video in 2026, it’s wild to see how much has changed. Back then, the SoundCloud scene was a lawless wasteland of distorted bass and neon hair. Today, Trippie is a veteran. He’s navigated the "Taking a Walk" era into a career of longevity that many of his peers didn't achieve.
He’s experimented with everything. Rock. Pure trap. Hyperpop on Trip at Knight.
When you revisit Taking a Walk Trippie Redd, you’re seeing the blueprint. You see the hunger. You see the guy who would eventually collaborate with legends like Travis Scott and Drake. But in that moment, he was just a kid on a walk. He was relatable. That relatability is what built the "1400/999" fanbase—a group of supporters so loyal they’ll defend his every move.
The Darker Side of the Fame He Discussed
It wasn't all smiles and "it’s lit" moments. Trippie has always been open about the toll the industry takes. In various segments of that walk and subsequent interviews from that time, there’s a sense of isolation. When you’re at the top, who can you trust?
He’s lost friends. He’s dealt with public feuds. He’s had his personal life dragged through the tabloids. Yet, the version of Trippie Redd we see in that video is one of defiance. He didn't seem to care about the critics. He was focused on the art. Honestly, that’s probably why he’s still relevant while so many others from that 2017-2018 era have faded into obscurity. He had a core identity that wasn't dependent on a single trend.
How to Channel that "1400" Energy Today
If you’re a fan or a creator looking at the Taking a Walk Trippie Redd video as inspiration, there are a few real-world takeaways. It’s not just about the music; it’s about the brand of "unapologetic authenticity."
- Ignore the "Polished" Standard. The reason that interview went viral wasn't because it was perfect. It was because it was messy. In an age of AI-generated content and heavy filters, people crave the raw stuff.
- Move While You Think. There’s actually scientific backing to the "Taking a Walk" concept. Walking increases creative output by roughly 60%. If you’re stuck on a project, get out of your chair.
- Build a Universe, Not Just a Product. Trippie didn't just release songs; he created a world of "1400." He had symbols, a specific aesthetic, and a way of speaking that fans could adopt.
The video serves as a reminder that the most impactful content usually happens when you stop trying so hard to be "professional" and start trying to be "present." Trippie Redd was present in that moment. He wasn't looking at his phone. He wasn't checking his stats. He was just there.
Final Practical Steps for Fans and Researchers
If you want to dive deeper into the history of this era or understand the cultural impact of Taking a Walk Trippie Redd, don't just watch the clips.
Go watch the full 10-minute original upload on the Pigeons & Planes (Complex) YouTube channel. Pay attention to the background—the mundane setting makes his colorful persona pop even more. Listen to the way he describes his melodies; he often talks about them as if they are physical objects he’s crafting.
Then, compare it to his more recent interviews like his sit-downs with Zane Lowe or Montreality. You’ll see the evolution of a man who started as a viral sensation and turned into a staple of the music industry. The "walk" never really ended; the path just got wider.
To truly understand the "SoundCloud Era" shift, look for the following archived content:
- The "A Love Letter to You" release party footage.
- Early "No Jumper" interviews with the Canton crew.
- Behind-the-scenes vlogs from the "Life's a Trip" recording sessions.
By studying these, you see that the Taking a Walk Trippie Redd moment wasn't an accident. It was the natural result of an artist who knew exactly who he was before the rest of the world caught up.