Obie Trice (born November 14, 1977) is an American rapper and songwriter.
He began rapping at the age of 11, and is most known for his time
spent signed to Shady Records.
Obie Trice III was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan by his mother,
along with three brothers. He is of mixed African and German descent.
He was given a karaoke machine by his mother when he was eleven and
he used it to rhyme over instrumentals from artists such as N.W.A.
By the age of fourteen, he was attending rap battle spots around
Detroit, notably including the Hip Hop Shop, on which Obie commented,
“
There was a place called the Hip-hop Shop. We'd go up there on Saturday
afternoons for the battles. They were hosted by Proof, from D12.
I got a response every time I went. That's when I said, 'OK, I wanna
get into this music.' Really, I didn't have a backup plan...[1] ”
Obie Trice went by the name of Obie 1 during this time, but when
he first met Proof, who was about to introduce him at the Hip Hop
Shop, Proof asked him, "What's your name? Your real name, no
gimmicks." He was then introduced as Obie Trice, and has kept
his real name as his rap name.[2] Trice was introduced to Eminem
through D12 member Bizarre. Eminem was impressed when Trice freestyled
for him in a car park through a window, whilst Eminem was in a car.[1]
Later, Trice received a call from his manager informing him that
he would be having dinner with Eminem, and later that night they
went to a Kid Rock party.[3]
Career
Shady Records (2000-2002)
Trice was officially signed to Shady Records in 2000. He first received
public attention via a freestyle skit on the Devil's Night album,
followed by the deliverance of the opening line "Obie Trice-real
name, no gimmicks", off Eminem's The Eminem Show lead single, "Without
Me", as well as the song "Drips".[4] Later in 2002,
Obie rapped on songs for the 8 Mile soundtrack, and also got a cameo
appearance in the film as a rapper in a parking-lot.[1]
Cheers (2003-2004)
Main article: Cheers (album)
Trice's debut album, Cheers, was released on September 23, 2003
with its first single "Got Some Teeth" being well received
on radio in a number of countries. He also released the singles "The
Set Up" and "Don't Come Down". The album consists
of 17 tracks with production from Eminem, Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Mike
Elizondo, Emile, Fredwreck and Mr. Porter. Artists featuring on Cheers
include Busta Rhymes, Eminem, 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Dr. Dre, Nate
Dogg, D12, and Timbaland. The album was eventually certified gold
by the RIAA.[5]
Second Round's on Me and Shooting (2005-2007)
Main article: Second Round's on Me
In 2005, he began work on his second album, entitled Second Round's
on Me. The album was finally released on August 15, 2006. Following
the release of Second Round's on Me, he released a mixtape called
Bar Shots with G-Unit's DJ Whoo Kid.
On December 31, 2005, Trice was shot twice while driving on the
Lodge Expressway by Wyoming Avenue in Detroit. One of the bullets
entered his head. Trice was able to drive off the expressway, where
his girlfriend waved down the police.[6] He was taken to Providence
Hospital and released later that day. Doctors are still contemplating
whether or not to remove the bullet, as it may be too dangerous to
operate.
Shortly after his label-mate Proof was shot to death in a Detroit
nightclub, a song emerged on the mixtape circuit called "Ride
Wit Me". The song was dedicated to Proof. Trice made a speech
at Proof's funeral, addressing the problem of black-on-black violence:
“
I want to talk to those coming up in the 'hood, coming up in the
struggle. We're killing each other, and it's about nothing. Nothing.
Nothing. We're all dying... over nothing.[7] ”
In the single "Cry Now" from his second album, Trice addresses
his shooting, as well as Eminem's rumored retirement,[8] referenced
with the following line, "Rock City is my voice / The white
boy has stepped down / So I will accept the crown." Trice also
addresses the shooting in the song "Pistol Pistol" from
the album Eminem Presents: The Re-up claiming hes after revenge, "I
solemnly swear on my daughters tears/The nigga that got him in the
head will feel it before the year ends / Hope you inconspicuous my
friend / `Cause once the word get back ya in a world of sin / Bullets
will hurtle at him for tryin to murder what been determined as the
first solo african " and later "I'm so sincere you seein'
a hearse this year / it's not a verse it's curse for burstin' what's
on ya person". He has since given insight as to why he feels
the shooting occurred, and has labeled it "haterism", as
well as a bad mind state by saying, "it’s a lot of do-or-die
type individuals. They want to get that plug and there’s really
more to the game than they think it is [...] it’s competition
on a real vicious level."[9] The bullet is still lodged in Obie's
skull.[9]
Departure from Shady Records (2008-2009)
In June 2008, Obie Trice departed from Shady Records. A misunderstanding
was made where it was believed he was attacking the label and Eminem
on a single titled "The Giant" but they were quickly dismissed.[10]
Special Reserves (2009-2010)
Main article: Special Reserve (Obie Trice album)
On December 15, 2009, a compilation album, Special Reserves, by
Obie Trice and MoSS, the first producer of DJ Premier's "Works
of Mart" production company, was released. The album is a collection
of 11 of Obie's tracks recorded with MoSS from 1997 to 2000. The
album serves as a preface to Obie's upcoming album, "Bottoms
Up."
Move to Black Market Entertainment (2010-present)
On April 22, 2010, "Rap Basement" reported that Obie Trice
has announced that he would be launching his own independent music
label, Black Market Entertainment, on May 7.[11] The label would
be owned by Universal.[12] An official statement from Trice, in-which
Rap Basement received, confirmed "The focus of Black Market
Entertainment is to create quality employment opportunities in the
entertainment industry for Metro-Detroiters. This will be an organization
with profound community presence that will embrace and inspire the
masses. The vision of Black Market Entertainment is to continually
bring authentic Det...roit Urban Hip Hop Culture to the forefront
of the music industry."[11] On May 4, Trice confirmed that Eminem
would be a featured guest artist in his upcoming album, "Bottoms
Up."[12]
On August 24, 2010, Obie released a new street single, "My
Time 2011," from Bottoms Up via myspace; the track is produced
by Geno XO.[13] The music video was released on March 22, 2011;[14]
footage for the video was filmed at the Black Market Ent. Launch
Party.[15]
On September 2, 2010, Trice announced that he would be hosting "The
Black & White" concert after party, following the Eminem & Jay-Z
Show at Comerica Park (held the same night), at the Goodnight Gracie's;
the party goes from 9pm to 2am.[16]
On April 5, 2011, a new street single from Obie was released, called "Learn
to Love."[17]
Discography
Main article: Obie Trice discography
Studio albums
* 2003: Cheers
* 2006: Second Round's on Me
* 2011: Bottoms Up
Compilation albums
* 2009: Special Reserve