POP/ROCK - Aug. 7, 1992

Rap Response: A young rapper who will perform at a Republican National Convention youth rally said Thursday he was shocked by remarks Arsenio Hall made about him earlier this week on his late-night show. “Arsenio defended Ice-T, but when he sees a positive black rapper, he attacks me for something good,” said singer Steve Gooden, whose rap name is TRQ. Gooden is to sing “We Are Americans,” his response to Ice-T and Sister Souljah, during the Republican meet. Hall, in his introductory monologue, held up a newspaper photo of Gooden and said, among other things, “Now look at poor homey. . . . I’m not sure what TRQ stands for, but I hope it stands for Time to Remove Quayle.”