Kanye associate and former publicist to R. Kelly jumps into Illinois politics, pot
R. Kelly, Kanye confidante, now a marijuana lobbyist, wins praise for tenacity, criticism for profanity-laden attacks on gov’s top weed adviser
tschuba@suntimes.com | @TomSchuba
A former celebrity publicist for R. Kelly and confidante of Kanye West has jumped into Illinois politics, lobbying for a major Canadian cannabis firm that wants to start growing weed here.
But Trevian Kutti has already ruffled feathers in just a short time in the fray, lodging a series of incendiary and profanity-laden attacks against Toi Hutchinson, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s top adviser on cannabis issues. While both women are Black, Kutti has vowed to “keep my knee on Toi W. Hutchinson’s neck” and has referred to her as a “slave.”
Kutti says she is furious over the state’s delays in awarding the next round of licenses prioritized for socalled social equity applicants, saying “those in greatest need are being screwed with again.”
Although she’s supported Democrats like Hillary Clinton in the past, Kutti is now a vocal supporter of President Donald Trump’s policies and makes no apologies for her brash nature.
“I’m sure that like most lobbyists, I have my share of allies and my share of disparagers,” she said in an interview. “Those who fall in the latter camp quiver hearing my unapologetic truths.”
However, state officials have called some of her public comments “abhorrent.”
“Invoking violence and hurling insults and profanities at a State of Illinois employee is the antithesis of everything this administration stands for,” said Charity Greene, a spokeswoman for Pritzker.
Meanwhile, her clients praise her tenacity.
“She’s a f---ing pit bull,” said Brad Rogers, CEO of Red White and Bloom, the Canadian pot company lobbying for a license to cultivate weed in Illinois.
Lobbyist since January
Kutti is a Nebraska native who later moved to Chicago and ran high-end stores in Old Town and the Gold Coast known for their racy window displays. In 2008, a sign reading “hot ass sale” was displayed at her store Trevian, prompting an ordinance violation.
A friend of A-list celebrities, she’s been a stylist for Oscar-winning actress Regina King, worked as a publicist for embattled R&B star R.
Kelly until 2018 and more recently served on West’s executive staff. Her Instagram feed features a stream of pictures of her hobnobbing with celebrities like Spike Lee, Quincy Jones, Kerry Washington and Rosario Dawson.
In interviews, Kutti wouldn’t say whether she’s helping West on his longshot presidential bid that’s been mired in controversy. She is, however, working on the campaign of Republican Angela Stanton-King, a former reality television star and felon who is attempting to fill the seat of the late Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.).
In late January, Kutti registered as a lobbyist for Red White and Bloom, state records show.
Red White and Bloom currently operates a massive indoor farm in downstate Granville that produces smokeable hemp flower and CBD oil, a trendy derivative of the hemp plant that’s used in a range of consumer products. But the firm ultimately hopes to secure a license to also grow pot at the 3.6 million square grow center, which is touted as “the world’s largest indoor premium hemp facility.”
Kutti’s work for Red White and Bloom has largely revolved around lobbying for legislation in the Senate that would open up a 22nd cannabis cultivation license, though the bill hasn’t been called for a vote.
“I do feel there’s a problem within Springfield as far as cannabis legislators purposefully and unethically blocking legislation that will make the changes that will remedy a lot of problems that we’re having,” said Kutti, pointing to supply shortages.
Kutti vowed to continue speaking up for minority firms applying