I can’t get “left, right, left” out of my head.
Born and raised in Southern California, Trip Carter is far from your average artist. A trained jazz bassist with a deep-rooted musical background, Carter has spent the last few years quietly making waves—touring as Sabrina Claudio’s bassist while sharpening his skills both on stage and in the studio. Now, he’s stepping out of the shadows and into the spotlight with the release of a brand new single called “Ropes” from his upcoming BASSMAN EP.
Written, self-produced, and released from the back of Sabrina Claudio’s tour bus during the Into The Wild tour with Russ and Big Sean, the track finds Trip splitting his days playing bass in the background and his nights chasing superstardom. The result? A “messy, toxic lil groove” that captures the emotional conflict of knowing better, yet still answering that late-night text. Sonically, the song rides on an organic, slow-burning instrumental built with lush guitar licks and a rebellious drum pattern that tugs at the heart and moves the feet all at once.
Carter floats over the track with a silky, soul-infused vocal style that dominates the hook—evoking the same kind of haunted smoothness that Frank Ocean fans will appreciate. On the verses, he slips into a grittier melodic rap cadence, balancing vulnerability and confidence as he reflects on love, temptation, and self-sabotage. The emotional depth is palpable, but what makes it stick is the musicality—his jazz foundation adding a richness that separates him from the pack.
I don’t know about you, but I’m greatly looking forward to Trip’s BASSMAN EP. In the meantime, check out “Ropes” below.
Quincy is the creator of Ratings Game Music. He loves writing about music, taking long walks on beaches, and spaghetti that fights him back.
