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
All Of My Life
Obie Trice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Big lips, popped out placenta
Mom ain't breast feed, had no pop neither
Pop leaves shit but a name, Obie
Elementary homie that's how it started
In garbage, retarded, gainin' that heart
Fuck niggas, claimin' they hard, a nigga come home touched
My motherfuckin' momma bangin' me harder
That's what she told me, "little punk, blame that on your father"
So I had no choice, nigga pick up a brick
Split a motherfucker's shit for tryin' to fuck with the kid
Get a little older, hair on my dick, now I'm curious
Niggas on the corner getting money, rockin' jewelry
Allowance, nigga that ain't man shit
Cowards, nigga that ain't man shit
I had to prove to myself
How these niggas same age as me calculating this wealth
So I got me a clique of niggas what?
Workin' one sixteenth, like "nigga we can clean up"
Follow my life, homie from start 'til now
Only my motherfuckin' momma nigga hold me down
And Lord knows all the shit that I done put her through
I speak through her, straight to you motherfuckers
Follow my life, homie from start 'til now
Only my motherfuckin' momma nigga holds me down
And Lord knows all the shit that I done put her through
I speak through her, straight to you motherfuckers
Summer '94, I'm gettin' a little dough
Taller than my momma, so I'm listening to her nose
I'm listening to them hoes scream "O!"
And I'm listening to them O's go chop!
P-Funk, Joe and me pumpin' on the block, summertime
I call her auntie, she cop three at a time
Throw a extra bump bringin' cline
I'm so involved with the grind, I'm losin' my mind
Fuck a steady job, I'm tryin'
I steady mob, I'm dyin' in this game, I ain't lyin'
Sellin' so much coke forgettin' it's a crime
Flyin' down I-75, pocket full of dimes
Give a fuck about the radar on me
Bumpin' 'Big Poppa' nigga who tryin' me?
Follow my life, homie from start 'til now
Only my motherfuckin' momma nigga hold me down
And Lord knows all the shit that I done put her through
I speak through her, straight to you motherfuckers
Follow my life, homie from start 'til now
Only my motherfuckin' momma nigga holds me down
And Lord knows all the shit that I done put her through
I speak through her, straight to you motherfuckers
The song "Follow My Life" by Obie Trice takes us through his journey from birth to being involved in selling drugs. The opening lines of the song describe his birth in a raw manner, mentioning his physical features and his difficult upbringing, with no father figure around. He grew up in a rough neighborhood, where he had to fight to earn respect and prove himself. He was forced to become a man at a young age, always looking to make more money to support himself and his family.
As he grew older, he got caught up in the drug game, selling cocaine to make a living. He became obsessed with the lifestyle, doing anything to make more money and rise up in the ranks. He paints a vivid picture of the drug dealer life, cruising down highways with pockets full of dimes and constantly being on the lookout for trouble.
The chorus of the song speaks to his resilience and the one constant throughout his life, his mother. She is the one who has always held him down, even when times were tough, and through her he speaks to his listeners. He acknowledges the pain he's caused her, but also realizes that he wouldn't be where he is today without her support.
Overall, "Follow My Life" is a powerful and honest portrayal of the struggles faced growing up in a tough environment, and the consequences of falling into the wrong crowd.
Line by Line Meaning
Eleven, fourteen, seventy-seven a nigga entered
Obie Trice was born on November 14, 1977
Big lips, popped out placenta
Obie Trice was born with big lips and his mother had a difficult time during childbirth
Mom ain't breast feed, had no pop neither
Obie Trice's mother did not breastfeed him and he did not have a father figure in his life
Pop leaves shit but a name, Obie
Obie Trice's father was not present in his life, but his name was passed down to him
Elementary homie that's how it started
Obie Trice started his education in elementary school
In garbage, retarded, gainin' that heart
Obie Trice grew up in a poor and difficult environment but he gained inner strength and resilience
Fuck niggas, claimin' they hard, a nigga come home touched
Obie Trice encountered people who pretended to be tough and ended up getting beaten up
My motherfuckin' momma bangin' me harder
Obie Trice's mother disciplined him strictly and with physical punishment
"Nigga take your ass out their and fight them tomorrow"
Obie Trice's mother pushed him to confront his problems and stand up for himself
"little punk, blame that on your father"
Obie Trice's mother blamed his absent father for his behavior and lack of guidance
So I had no choice, nigga pick up a brick
Obie Trice felt compelled to resort to violence and aggression to protect himself
Split a motherfucker's shit for tryin' to fuck with the kid
Obie Trice physically attacked someone who threatened him
Get a little older, hair on my dick, now I'm curious
Obie Trice started to mature physically and became interested in sex
Niggas on the corner getting money, rockin' jewelry
Obie Trice observed people selling drugs and making money illegally
Allowance, nigga that ain't man shit
Obie Trice felt that his allowance was insignificant and not enough to help him succeed financially
Cowards, nigga that ain't man shit
Obie Trice disdained people who did not take risks or stand up for themselves
I had to prove to myself
Obie Trice felt the need to demonstrate his worth and capability
How these niggas same age as me calculating this wealth
Obie Trice wondered how other people his age were able to accumulate wealth and success
So I got me a clique of niggas what?
Obie Trice formed a group of friends who shared his goals and values
Workin' one sixteenth, like "nigga we can clean up"
Obie Trice and his friends began selling drugs and believed they could make a profit by working together
Summer '94, I'm gettin' a little dough
Obie Trice started making money selling drugs in the summer of 1994
Taller than my momma, so I'm listening to her nose
Obie Trice was taller than his mother and respected her advice and guidance
I'm listening to them hoes scream "O!"
Obie Trice was becoming popular among women and his nickname "O" was catching on
And I'm listening to them O's go chop!
Obie Trice was making money selling drugs and hearing the sound of money being earned
P-Funk, Joe and me pumpin' on the block, summertime
Obie Trice and his friends were listening to music and selling drugs during the summer months
I call her auntie, she cop three at a time
Obie Trice had a reliable customer who purchased drugs from him regularly
Throw a extra bump bringin' cline
Obie Trice sometimes gave his customers a little extra drugs as a courtesy
I'm so involved with the grind, I'm losin' my mind
Obie Trice was so focused on selling drugs that it was starting to affect his mental state
Fuck a steady job, I'm tryin'
Obie Trice did not want a regular job and was committed to making money through drug dealing
I steady mob, I'm dyin' in this game, I ain't lyin'
Obie Trice was completely dedicated to the drug game and knew that it would be a dangerous and potentially lethal path
Sellin' so much coke forgettin' it's a crime
Obie Trice had become desensitized to the illegal nature of his drug dealing
Flyin' down I-75, pocket full of dimes
Obie Trice was driving fast on the highway with a lot of money in his pocket
Give a fuck about the radar on me
Obie Trice did not care about getting caught by the police
Bumpin' 'Big Poppa' nigga who tryin' me?
Obie Trice felt confident and invincible, listening to music and daring anyone to challenge him
Only my motherfuckin' momma nigga hold me down
Throughout his life, Obie Trice's mother has been his constant source of support and guidance
And Lord knows all the shit that I done put her through
Obie Trice recognizes the sacrifices his mother made for him and the difficulties she faced while raising him
I speak through her, straight to you motherfuckers
Obie Trice uses his music as a means of expression and communicates his experiences and perspective to his audience
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: OBIE TRICE, FREDRICK FARID NASSAR, MARSHALL B. III MATHERS, LUIS EDGARDO RESTO, CHRISTOPHER WALLACE, RUDOLPH BERNARD ISLEY, RONALD ISLEY, ERNEST ISLEY, MARVIN ISLEY, O'KELLY JR. ISLEY, CHRIS JASPER
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