Indianapolis rapper Trajik lands role in second Fox network series

Indianapolis rapper Trajik appears to be a quick study in the field of acting.

Six months after portraying an aspiring musician in an episode of Fox series “Empire,” Trajik will return to network television in new series “Proven Innocent.”

Starring Rachelle Lefevre and Russell Hornsby as attorneys who work to overturn wrongful convictions, “Proven Innocent” premieres at 9 p.m. Friday on Fox.

Indianapolis rapper Trajik will appear on an upcoming episode of Fox series "Proven Innocent."

Trajik said he’s slated to appear in an episode titled “Living and Dying in East Cleveland,” the seventh episode for the series that co-stars Kelsey Grammer as a rival of Lefevre and Hornsby.

Similar to "Empire," "Proven Innocent" is made at Cinespace Chicago Film Studios — formerly the site of a steel plant.

Danny Strong, co-creator of “Empire,” is launching “Proven Innocent” with writer David Elliot (who co-wrote 2009 film “G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra”).

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Trajik said he enjoyed mixing it up with fellow actors during an outdoor scene of "Proven Innocent."

"This show is action-packed," he said. "You’re going to see me do some things. I speak a little bit, and I have a little action."

Meanwhile, Trajik released a single titled "Realer Than Faker" in January.

The song opens with the declarations, "I’m a risk taker, deal breaker, realer than faker paper chaser, bad (girl) confiscator" — reminiscent of Bo Diddley's "Who Do You Love" and its opening boasts of “I walk 47 miles of barbed wire, I use a cobra snake for a necktie.”

An Indianapolis producer known as Cheezzburger made the beat for "Realer Than Faker," and Olu Samuel Emedobi directed an accompanying video.

Trajik launched his hip-hop career shortly after graduating from Lawrence North High School in 2003 (he also attended Warren Central High School).

Russell Hornsby, center, and Rachelle Lefevre, right, portray attorneys who work to overturn wrongful convictions on new Fox series "Proven Innocent."

With a stage name based on tragic situations his rivals would encounter in a rap battle, Donovan "Trajik" Short recorded hundreds of songs (most yet to be released) and played shows in the South and Midwest.

He said his music career is picking up momentum thanks to his breakthrough as an actor.

"I look at it as putting your face out there," Trajik said. "People will be more familiar with you and more open to listening. It’s been happening just like that."

He performed as a supporting act for Chicago rapper G Herbo at Old National Centre in October, and Trajik recorded three yet-to-be-released songs with long-running California rapper Spice 1.

Hearing from Spice 1 was a surprise, Trajik said.

“He just called me up and said, ‘Yo, man, your music’s bumping, fool,’ ” Trajik said. “When he said, ‘Let’s do some music,’ I dropped everything. There’s a lot of talk in this game, but he’s a solid dude who followed up on his end.”

A self-described "workaholic," Trajik said he doesn't dwell on phases of success or struggle while pursuing a career in hip-hop.

"When your head’s in the game, you’re focused," he said. "I’m not paying attention to who’s wearing the jersey in the bleachers. I’m loving it, though. It’s the best feeling to achieve things."

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Call IndyStar reporter David Lindquist at 317-444-6404. Follow him on Twitter: @317Lindquist.

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