In a city where everyone’s fighting to be different but ends up sounding the same, Shytrell O’Neil — better known as SosaVsTheMet or TrellSo5a — has quietly been building something real. Born and raised in Columbia, South Carolina, Trell’s not just another rapper chasing clout. He’s an engineer, an influencer, and above all, a regular guy who clocks out from his 9-to-5, then heads straight into the booth to chase something bigger.
“I Just Want to Share My Music”
For Trell, music isn’t about trends or quick fame. “When I’m behind that mic, I escape reality,” he says. It’s not just a line — it’s how he deals with everything: the losses, the grind, the weight of watching loved ones pass and the pressure of coming from nothing. His family always found a way to make it work, and that spirit runs deep in his approach to music.
Unlike a lot of artists who claim to be unique, Trell actually sounds like himself. He’s dropped two tapes with 15-plus songs each before he even finished high school — a flex not many can claim, especially in a market like Columbia. The numbers were strong for the time and place, but more important, the tapes helped spark a new wave in his city. Whether it’s his own tracks or the music he engineers for other artists, you can hear the shift.
Doing It All Himself
Ask Trell about his biggest challenges, and he’ll be the first to tell you: the only person he’s ever been up against is himself. Finding the motivation when no one’s handing out recognition isn’t easy. “I had to be my own motivation for the love of music, which I in fact have.” There’s no ghostwriter, no industry plant, no big-name feature riding shotgun on his songs. Every bar, every beat, every late-night session — that’s all him.
And he’s not just spitting into a mic. Trell engineers everything he drops. That means he’s the one tweaking the mix, dialing in the sound, making sure the music hits the way he wants it to. It’s hands-on, start to finish. It’s rare, and it shows.
A New Wave for Columbia
People are starting to notice. The sound Trell’s creating isn’t just his own — it’s influencing the city. “I’m creating a new wave and sound around my city, whether it’s met music or the music I engineer for others.” He’s not just rapping; he’s helping shape what Columbia hip-hop can be.
But the vision is bigger than the 803. “I see myself on tour around the country. I’ve never left the states and I believe music is going to get me out of here,” he says. Still, there’s a loyalty to Columbia. He wants to put his city on the map — but he’s not afraid to love it from a distance if negativity gets in the way.
What’s Next?
Right now, it’s about growing the name. There’s an EP in the works — nothing set in stone yet, just a handful of songs and an idea. No major features, no industry hype, just Trell doing what he’s always done: making music because he loves it and because it helps him breathe.
He’s fully transparent about where he’s at and what he wants: “I just want my name to grow, honestly.” There’s no fake persona, no manufactured backstory. Just a guy who works his shift, then locks in at the booth because it’s the only way he knows how to move forward.
Follow SosaVsTheMet
If you want to keep up with Trell’s journey, or just hear what Columbia’s next wave sounds like, check out his socials:
Some people rap to get rich. Some rap because they want to be famous. For TrellSo5a, it’s about finding a way out — and bringing his city with him, one song at a time.
