Obie Trice III was born and raised in Detroit, Michigan by his mother, along with three brothers. He is of African American and German descent. Trice 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.
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. Trice was introduced to Eminem through D12 member Bizarre. Hot Rapper: Obie Trice. Rolling Stone. Accessed January 22, 2008. 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.
Before first major release, early years on Shady Records
As an acquaintance of D12 member Bizarre, Obie was signed after a personal introduction to Eminem allowed him to impress the Detroit rap legend in-person. The general public were first introduced to Obie on D12's Devil's Night album on a skit. His one-line opener ("Obie Trice: Real name, no gimmicks" - taken from his song "Rap Name" and referring to the lack of a rap pseudonym) on Eminem's lead single; "Without Me", off the critically-acclaimed and commercially successful The Eminem Show increased public awareness of his name and slogan. Obie also appeared in the video for the song, body-slamming a dummy representing Moby. Appearances on DJ Green Lantern's official Shady Records Invasion mixtape series, allowed him to further his public recognition.
In 2002, Trice appeared in 8 Mile as one of the rappers in the Chin Tiki parking lot scene. Trice also has a featured appearance as Big Pimpin' in the Detroit made independent feature film Life Goes On, which will premiere at the Cannes International Film Festival in May 2006.
A short while before the first Invasion mixtape was released, he became involved in the Eminem-Benzino beef after being called out by Benzino with the line "Obie Trice/You's a buster" in a diss-track directed at Eminem and Shady Records. In response to Benzino, Obie released the track "Welcome to Detroit City" (a track over the beat from Cam'ron's song "Welcome to New York City") on the first Invasion mixtape. He also joined his label-mates in the highly publicised Ja Rule-50 Cent beef but never received a direct response from Ja Rule.
Cheers
His 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 songs "Don't Come Down" and "The Set Up". The album consists of 17 tracks with production from Eminem, Dr. Dre, Timbaland, Mike Elizondo, Emile, Fredwreck and Denaun Porter. Artists featuring on Cheers include Busta Rhymes, Eminem, Dr. Dre, Nate Dogg and D12 among others. The album was eventually certified platinum by the RIAA.
Second Rounds On Me
As of 2005 he has begun work on his second album, entitled 2nd Rounds On Me, which was expected later that year. Never making the 2005 calendar mark, Obie set sights on releasing it in 2006. Although the album will be released by Shady Records, it will feature a lineup primarily comprised of local Detroit rappers with decreased presence from Eminem and other Shady/Aftermath artists.
Shooting
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 skull. Trice was able to drive off the expressway, where his girlfriend waved down police. He was taken to Providence Hospital and released later that day. Doctors are still contemplating whether or not to remove the bullet which entered his head, as it may be too dangerous to operate.
Leaving Shady Records, current situation
Obie Trice left Shady Records on June 26, 2008, because of a dispute because Interscope claimed they would not fund another Obie Trice CD. This news was first put into circulation by Hip-Hop blog Urban Lookout; a few days after they broke the news, a track (Giants) leaked confirming the rumor. Even though Obie has left Shady Records, Eminem's manager Paul Rosenberg says that Eminem and Obie are still close friends, and that Eminem will still work with Obie Trice on future projects.
Discography:
Cheers (2003) - Platinum
2nd Rounds On Me (2006) Released:August 15, 2006
Featured/Other songs:
"Doe Ray Me": D12 and Obie Trice
"Love Me": Eminem, 50 Cent and Obie Trice
"Drips": Eminem and Obie Trice
"Spend Some Time": Eminem, 50 Cent, Stat Quo and Obie Trice
"Adrenaline Rush": Obie Trice
"Fok de Macht": The Opposites and Obie Trice
"Loyalty": D12 and Obie Trice
"Doctor Doctor": Bizarre and Obie Trice
"72nd & Central": Proof, J-Hill and Obie Trice
"Stay Bout It": Obie Trice and Stat Quo
"Growing Up in the Hood": The Game and Obie Trice
"Hennessey": 2Pac and Obie Trice
"Drama Setter": Tony Yayo, Eminem, and Obie Trice
"It Has Been Said": Eminem, Diddy and Obie Trice
"War": Trick Trick and Obie Trice
"Hustler": 50 Cent and Obie Trice
"Get That Money": 50 Cent, Obie Trice, and Lloyd Banks
"Get That Money (remix)": 50 Cent, Obie Trice, Lloyd Banks, and Krondon
Average Man
Obie Trice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
O Trice is holdin' the soldiers, the prognosis
Probably why I rose from zero to hope
'Cause I was wide eyed and open nosed on my approach (Nigga)
Hold the toast you provoke
Forty-four snub hugs my scrotum when I roll, yes I hold my own
Swifty think he Deebo's clone
I'm aimin', watch I'm switchin' to Damon
And "Next Friday" I can bet you's a changed man
When them things in hand, it's not a game man
I ghost ya, I bring ya much closer to Jehovah
Definition of a soldier, I told ya
I hold the toast when I approach
It's close at all times by my side in the holster
O-ster roast ya, make me blow my composure
Pop it's all over, when the fo' fo' blows and goes a
When I'm up in the club
And these niggas they want to act tough
'Til they get plugged
Watch them bullets go
Now you touched from a slug
Huggin' the streets like you in love
Your heart race like
The ambulance arrive
They rush you to 'spital, flyin' by my ride
Engine like, homie you just died
Your family through cryin', I pulled off a crime
Just as quick as
You could lose your face, in a fool's race
I pulled my tool first nigga, you was in second place
And second place just means you didn't react with haste
And this differentiates life where murder being the case
And since murder was the case, it just means niggas erase
Another black mother can't eat the food on her plate
'Cause she ain't got the taste, as of raising you was a waste
"Such a short span young man" said at your wake
First I'm a man, second I'm five eight, with size and weight
Won't give a nigga the upper hand
'Cause when I pop, I give this up like Barry Sand
Sit in the can, he never ran like Barry Sand
Obie ain't playin', Obie got a plan
And the plan is not to be layin' in earth's land
I will pop before decaying in earth's land
You get shot for playin' me less than a man, motherfucker
When I'm up in the club
And these niggas they want to act tough
'Til they get plugged
Watch them bullets go
Now you touched from a slug
Huggin' the streets like you in love
Your heart race like
The ambulance arrive
They rush you to 'spital, flyin' by my ride
Engine like, homie you just died
Your family through cryin', I pulled off a crime
Just as quick as
Niggas get it twisted, liquor make 'em envision
That gangsterism is disrespecting a nigga's wishes
Which is all that tough talk in front of bitches
Yeah you fifteen deep, the Desert E'll give you stitches
And I can be all the bitches and hoes you want to
But I warn ya the glock could make it hot as California
You be popped on the corner, flesh meetin' the coroner
O's and quarantine, 'cause no holes in me,
An since no holes in me, niggaz take advantage
'Til I manage to pull that hammer out they start scattering,
I'm no gangster, I'm a average man
But be damned if I let 'em do me savage man
Before that I'm strapped and will challenge him
Cocked back and that gat will damage them
It's not a act, this is fact, this is how I'm programmed
This is me, what I'm about, this who I am motherfucker
When I'm up in the club
And these niggas they want to act tough
'Til they get plugged
Watch them bullets go
Now you touched from a slug
Huggin' the streets like you in love
Your heart race like
The ambulance arrive
They rush you to 'spital, flyin' by my ride
Engine like, homie you just died
Your family through cryin', I pulled off a crime
Just as quick as
The song "Average Man" by Obie Trice is a fierce and unapologetic piece, highlighting the rapper's unwavering confidence in his ability to handle any situation. The lyrics boast of his skills as a soldier and his steady aim, which he attributes to his being wide-eyed and open-nosed on his approach. His ability to hold his own in heated situations is emphasized by the reference to holding onto his "44 snub" as he rolls.
Trice makes it a point to mention the consequences of crossing him, which often results in death. His lyrics also discuss the issue of gangs and how liquor can cause people to disrespect others. Trice is quick to clarify that he is not like the others - he is just an average man but he will not let others do him wrong.
The song's intense metaphors and fast-paced beats add to its commanding tone, giving it an overall feel of invincibility that Obie Trice so strongly upholds throughout the entire song.
Line by Line Meaning
Ay yo I'm focused, it's the locust
I am completely focused on my goals, like the locust who is persistent and determined.
O Trice is holdin' the soldiers, the prognosis
Obie Trice is leading the soldiers and the future looks promising.
Probably why I rose from zero to hope
Perhaps this is why I was able to rise from nothing to have hope for a better future.
'Cause I was wide eyed and open nosed on my approach (Nigga)
I was alert and aware, taking in all the details before making a move.
Hold the toast you provoke
I carry a gun and won't hesitate to use it if provoked.
Forty-four snub hugs my scrotum when I roll, yes I hold my own
I keep my gun close to me at all times and have enough confidence to protect myself.
Swifty think he Deebo's clone
Someone is trying to imitate a tough guy, like Deebo from the movie Friday.
I'm aimin', watch I'm switchin' to Damon
I'm getting ready to shoot and will swiftly change my target.
And 'Next Friday' I can bet you's a changed man
The person I'm targeting will regret their actions after they face the consequences.
When them things in hand, it's not a game man
When I have a gun in my hand, it's not a game or joke anymore.
I ghost ya, I bring ya much closer to Jehovah
I will eliminate you from this world and send you to meet your creator.
Definition of a soldier, I told ya
This is what a true soldier does and I made that clear.
I hold the toast when I approach
I carry my gun when I'm coming closer to someone.
It's close at all times by my side in the holster
My gun is always within reach, in my holster.
O-ster roast ya, make me blow my composure
I will become so angry that I will lose control and do what I need to do.
Pop it's all over, when the fo' fo' blows and goes a
Once the gun goes off, it's all over for whoever is in the way.
When I'm up in the club
When I'm at the club.
And these niggas they want to act tough
When these guys try to act tough.
'Til they get plugged
Until they get shot.
Watch them bullets go
See the bullets fly.
Now you touched from a slug
Now you are hit by a bullet.
Huggin' the streets like you in love
You are lying on the streets as if you love them.
Your heart race like
Your heart is beating fast like.
The ambulance arrive
The ambulance is here.
They rush you to 'spital, flyin' by my ride
They quickly take you to the hospital.
Engine like, homie you just died
The ambulance engine sounds like you just died.
Your family through cryin', I pulled off a crime
Your family is mourning while I committed a crime.
Just as quick as
As fast as.
You could lose your face, in a fool's race
You might lose your life if you engage in foolish actions.
I pulled my tool first nigga, you was in second place
I acted quickly and pulled out my gun before you had a chance to do anything.
And second place just means you didn't react with haste
Coming in second place means you were too slow to react.
And this differentiates life where murder being the case
Being faster in reacting can be the difference between life and death if murder is involved.
And since murder was the case, it just means niggas erase
Since murder was the situation, it means people will try to cover up their tracks.
Another black mother can't eat the food on her plate
Another mother can't eat because she is mourning the loss of her child.
'Cause she ain't got the taste, as of raising you was a waste
She has no appetite since it was a waste to raise you.
"Such a short span young man" said at your wake
People are saying that you died young at your funeral.
First I'm a man, second I'm five eight, with size and weight
First and foremost, I'm a man, and I'm also five feet eight inches tall with a certain weight and presence.
Won't give a nigga the upper hand
I won't let someone have the advantage over me.
'Cause when I pop, I give this up like Barry Sand
When I shoot, I give it all I've got like former basketball player Barry Sanders.
Sit in the can, he never ran like Barry Sand
You'll end up in jail and never be able to escape, like Barry Sanders on the basketball court.
Obie ain't playin', Obie got a plan
I'm serious and have a plan.
And the plan is not to be layin' in earth's land
The plan is not to be buried underground.
I will pop before decaying in earth's land
I will shoot before I die and decay in the ground.
You get shot for playin' me less than a man, motherfucker
If you disrespect me or don't treat me like a man, you might get shot, motherfucker.
Niggas get it twisted, liquor make 'em envision
People get confused and their judgment is impaired when they drink alcohol.
That gangsterism is disrespecting a nigga's wishes
They think being a gangster means not respecting someone's wishes or boundaries.
Which is all that tough talk in front of bitches
They think acting tough in front of women is what defines being a gangster.
Yeah you fifteen deep, the Desert E'll give you stitches
Even if there are fifteen of you, I will still shoot you with my Desert Eagle gun.
And I can be all the bitches and hoes you want to
I could be the type of man you want me to be, with all the women you desire.
But I warn ya the glock could make it hot as California
But be warned that I have a gun and things could get dangerous.
You be popped on the corner, flesh meetin' the coroner
You will be shot and end up in the hands of the coroner if you're not careful.
O's and quarantine, 'cause no holes in me
People will be shocked to find out that there are no bullet holes in me after a gunfight.
An since no holes in me, niggaz take advantage
Since I am unscathed, people may try to take advantage of me in the future.
'Til I manage to pull that hammer out they start scattering
Until I show them my gun and they get scared and start running away.
I'm no gangster, I'm a average man
I'm not a gangster, just an ordinary man.
But be damned if I let 'em do me savage man
But I won't let them treat me like an animal or hurt me.
Before that I'm strapped and will challenge him
Before that, I will have my gun with me and will challenge anyone who tries to cross me.
Cocked back and that gat will damage them
I will shoot and cause harm if necessary.
It's not a act, this is fact, this is how I'm programmed
I'm not pretending, this is the reality of how I am wired.
This is me, what I'm about, this who I am motherfucker
This is me, this is how I am, and I won't change for anyone, motherfucker.
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: LUIS EDGARDO RESTO, MARSHALL B. III MATHERS, OBIE TRICE, STEVEN LEE KING
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind