Frazier Thompson III, better known by his stage name Trae, (born
July 3, 1980) is an American rapper from Houston, Texas. He is a
part of the underground rap collective Screwed Up Click. Trae and
Z-RO, along with Dougie D,[1] are the founding members of the group
Guerilla Maab.[2] He is the older brother of Houston rapper Jay'Ton.
Trae first gained exposure on the Houston rap scene in 1998, when
he made his rapping debut with a guest appearance on Z-RO's album
Look What You Did to Me.[3] In 2003, he began his solo career with
the album Losing Composure. 2004's Same Thing Different Day, 2006's
Restless, and 2007's Life Goes On followed shortly after.
Trae was involved in a scuffle with fellow Texas rapper Mike Jones
at the 2008 Ozone Awards. Both later apologized for the incident.[4]
It was recently suspected that Trae's music was banned from Houston's
local radio Station, 97.9 The Boxx.[5]
[edit] Honors
In 2008, Trae was awarded by the mayor of Houston, Bill White, and
Council Member Peter Brown with his own day, Trae Day, in honor of
his outstanding work within the community. This is the first time
the honor has been extended to a rap artist. Trae Day was celebrated
July 22, 2008.
[edit] Controversy
Trae hosted the second annual Trae Day in July 2009 near Texas Southern
University when it was marred by gun violence at the end of the event.
When he explained to the morning crew at radio station KBXX "97.9
The Box" that he did not condone the shooting, he was accused
by one of the personalities of being responsible for the violence
per se the lyrical content. When Trae retaliated against her on a
mixtape, KBXX banned Trae's music and contributed music from the
station and ordered their personalities not to play his music. It
caused backlash in the music community as several DJs at KBXX were
terminated from their positions since due to playing songs that featured
Trae. [6] Due to his inability and hindrance from being able to promote
his music in Houston as a result, Trae has filed a lawsuit with KBXX
early in 2010 citing damages to his career. [7]
[edit] Discography
2003: Losing Composure
2004: Same Thing Different Day
2006: Restless
2007: Life Goes On
2008: The Beginning
2011: Street King
[edit] Collaboration albums
1999: Rise (with Guerilla Maab)
2000: In the Mist Of Guerillas (with Guerilla Maab)
2001: Underground 4 Life Vol. 1 (with S.L.A.B.)
2002: Underground 4 Life Vol. 2 (with S.L.A.B.)
2002: Resurrected (with Guerilla Maab)
2002: Year of the Underdawgs (with Guerilla Maab)
2003: Assholes By Nature (with Z-RO)
2003: Vol. 3 (with S.L.A.B.)
2004: Vol. 4 (with S.L.A.B.)
2005: The Anthem (with S.L.A.B.)
2006: 4.5 Plex (with S.L.A.B.)
2006: 7 Years And Runnin (with S.L.A.B.)
2008: It Is What It Is (with Z-RO)
2011: It Still Is What It Is (with Z-RO)
2011: S.L.U.M.S.(with Wyclef Jean)
[edit] Mixtapes
2005: Return Of The Streets (with DJ Smallz)
2006: Later Dayz
2006: On The Grind - Southwest General
2006: Dirty South Mixtape 5 (with DJ Static)
2007: Tha Truth Show
2007: Asshole By Nature (with DJ Scream)
2007: I Am Houston (with DJ Chuck T)
2008: The Streets of the South Pt. 1 (with DJ Slim Chances)
2008: The Diary of the Truth
2008: Street's Advocate
2008: The Streets of the South Pt. 2 (with DJ Slim Chances)
2009: Both Sides of the Fence (with Rob G)
2009: Trae Day (with DJ Lil Randy)
2009: The Incredible Truth
2010: Mr. Houston Pt.2 (with DJ Bigga Rankin)
2010: Traebute
2010: Reasonable Drought (with DJ Slim Chances)
2010: Late Night King (with DJ Slim Chances)
2010: Can’t Ban The Truth (with DJ Evil Empire and DJ Folk)
2010: King of the Streets, Vol. 2 (with DJ Slim Chances)
2011: 48 Hours
2011: Undisputed (with Don Cannon)'
[edit] Singles
Year Single Chart positions[8] Album
U.S. Hot 100 U.S. R&B U.S. Rap
2006 "Swang" (featuring Fat Pat & Big Hawk) — — — Restless
"
In the Hood" (featuring Yung Joc) — 64 —
2007 "Screwed Up" (featuring Lil Wayne) — 71 — Life
Goes On
2008 "Ghetto Queen" (featuring Rich Boy & Lloyd) — — —
2011 "Inkredible (Remix)" (featuring Lil Wayne, Rick Ross,
Game & Jadakiss) — — — Tha Truth