Tink was still in high school when her breakout project, Winter’s Diary, dropped in 2011. Tracks ranging from “Bonnie & Clyde” to “Can I” displayed the potential for an artistic demi-god who could spit bars like a seasoned emcee with R&B vocals of someone who’d already experienced some serious romantic highs and lows. 

The next handful of years would bring Tink, born Trinity Laure'Ale Home, everything including a major label record deal with Timbaland through Epic Records, a slot on the coveted XXL Magazine Freshman Class and even more projects like Boss Up, and more sequels to Winter’s Diary. Following a period of creative limbo, the Chicago native emerged as a free agent in 2018 into a period that would see her as one of the most consistent R&B artists of the past decade. 

When BET.com spoke with Tink recently on an off day as an opener for Jhene Aiko’s national The Magic Hour tour, she acknowledged the challenges of being away from home for extended periods. She admits that touring can be tough, especially for someone who considers herself a homebody.

"Me being just away from my home and away from my bed, that sometimes is what brings out the best in me because just being away from your natural everyday life, is a lot," Tink explained. 

It’s the life of a legacy artist who eventually released over a dozen projects, worked with notables like Babyface, and toured around the world several times. Despite the accolades, she receives the veteran title with mixed feelings. For Tink, staying grounded is essential, and she views herself as an underdog, always striving to achieve more and refusing to become complacent despite her success. This mindset keeps her motivated and hungry to continue evolving as an artist.

"Oh my God. Stop," she reacted playfully to being called a veteran before expressing her gratitude. "I do appreciate you telling me that. I guess I do understand the role I play in music. However, I still feel like there is just so much work to be done. I'm never wrapped up in praises or accolades. I really admire being humble, and I never let it get to my head."

The 29-year-old is also under a year away from turning 30 as well. 

For Tink, this milestone signifies a transition into a new phase of life, one where she seeks stability and personal growth outside of her music career.  She sees this as a time to refocus her energies on herself, particularly in her personal life, which she admits has often taken a backseat to her music.

"When I started music, I was honestly about 16 years old,” said Tink, who even mentions possibly relocating from Chicago to Los Angeles. “So to be turning 30 is such a statement. I really just want to feel stable. In my twenties, I've spent a lot of time just kind of chasing music... I haven't had time to really sit down with myself.”

This incredibly honest authenticity is central to Tink's approach to her music. Throughout her career, she has consistently defied expectations, carving out her path in an industry that often imposes rigid standards on artists. She emphasizes that artists today are free to create their success, thanks to platforms like social media, which allow for direct connection with fans.

"I don't adhere to expectations of the world," Tink states firmly.  "We are really on our own timeline, especially in 2024... I try not to listen to people's expectations."

For Tink, this means rejecting the idea that there's a set age or timeline for success, particularly in R&B, where she believes there's plenty of room for growth and creativity at any stage of life. There isn’t a better example than Tink’s recently released Winter’s Diary 5. She views this project as a tribute to her fans who have supported her from the beginning, particularly those who connected with her early mixtapes. Tink shares that when she creates music, she's most influenced by the voices of her fans, particularly the young women in Chicago who connect deeply with her tales of heartbreak, struggle, and resilience.

“If I am going to meet an expectation, it's for the fans... it's for the people that have been riding with me since day one,” described Tink, who has featured guest appearances such as Summer Walker and Jeremih on Winter’s Diary 5. "I'm thinking about my girls... women that are going through the same issues that I deal with."

Though Tink is more known as an R&B artist, much of her early notoriety came from her rapping ability. She mentions that while there is demand for her to rap, she is more connected to R&B at this stage. Tink reflects on her time in rap, acknowledging that negative influences and personal struggles shaped it. While she occasionally incorporates rap into her music, Tink is content with her current focus on R&B, a genre that she feels aligns better with her mental and emotional well-being. 

"When I was rapping, it was really, really drill rap, and I was in a bad space when I was making rap,” Tink said. “I'm enjoying my R&B... that keeps my mental right.”

Despite this, Tink's rap roots influence her music, particularly in her storytelling approach. She explains that even in her R&B songs, she strives to convey meaningful messages, much like in rap tracks like “Ten Ratchet Commandments.” 

Reflecting on her journey, Tink sees herself in a period of reflection and growth. She feels that she has experienced nearly everything in front of the world, from career highs to personal lows, and is now in a place where she can share her story from a mature perspective.

"I've been making music since I was a teenager, and now I have to give y'all my adult perspective,” explained Tink. “I'm really able to give people real guidance."