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
Ballad Of Obie Trice
Obie Trice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
O, O, O, O, O
I think this
Obie Trice
Obie Trice
Obie Trice
Obie Trice
Obie Trice
Obie Trice
O, O, O, O
I'd like to reintroduce myself, ha ha
If you don't know by now. It's Obie Trice man
I came from nothing solo, straight outta the dumpster hobo
Made up my monster, I was cultivatingly slanging that cocoa
Hated the po po, locally known as abominable snow-o
Later the pig fo' rated the home where I made the dough grow
So on and so fo', the story of us urban negros
Created as equals we wouldn't have to be so eager to mistreat you
We as a people heated in evenings doing these evils
Gotta eat you, be cool, got a kid to feed that'll reach you
Or did it see through? Or do I just speak through the EQ just to say I got a hot sequel
When niggaz on the block gotta eat, gotta cop, gotta cot when they caught by the cops
Young Tupac's, laid in the box or they age in a cell blocks, fade away
Brick walls, steel gates, can't wait for the day to be free, that's why I'm
[Chorus]
Seen it, I done ate it, I done shit it
Slept it, lived it, now I spit it
Shady
Working that house off an no-doze, got an ounce to roll on
Trying to get rid of the pounds, I gotta whip the bounce, I gotta put that chrome on
Same old song, young nigga that's trying to get some where I come from
Funds, need 'em in abundance, whole bunch, only way a city boy function
In conjunction with selling this substance
Chips stay up, fuck it, glucks keep coming, take another pie out the oven
I'ma be hugging these corners till these corners corner me
But currently, I'm calculating this currency, urgency
Gotta earn a G, uphearnestly, up early when the birds'll sing
It's an emergency, never did occur to me, that the first and the third'll be
Such a thirst for me, life almost took a turn for the worst for me took to see
I finally had a purpose on Earth's surface the seed that was birthing me
[Obie] Gotta do a little soul searching and [Obie] myself personally
And to think all Em had to hear is one verse from me
To confirm and unblur my dreams
Best believe since burst on the scene, I'm a be here certainly
With no uncertainties, yes indeed, I'm a get this cheese and that's why he's
[Chorus]
That's why I'm
That's what made me
Ha ha
That's why I'm
Young black man in America
Get up and get yours nigga
I know you struggling man, I been there
I see you
Get up and get yours nigga
Ain't no looking back now
The chorus of Obie Trice's song "Obie Trice" is a repetition of his name. Though it may seem like a simple self-promotion tactic, it is more than that. Obie Trice introduces himself to the world and lets people know who he is to make sure they will remember him. In the verse, Obie Trice talks about his past and where he came from. He had no path, and he was slinging substance to get by. He hated the police and was known locally as the abominable snow-o. When he was making money, he got raided by the police. Obie Trice said that as a community, they didn't need to be so eager to mistreat people. They were all created equal. He also points out that they are not all bad people; some just need to put food on the table or survive. For this reason, he thinks it is essential not to judge others.
Obie continues to talk about his drive and hustle in the second verse. He repeats that he's a young black man in America and has to work hard to provide for his family. This hustle helped him see his dreams more clearly, and he confirmed it with the help of his mentor Eminem, who has encouraged him. The chorus concludes the song with a reminder to others that they need to work hard themselves and grab whatever opportunity comes their way.
Line by Line Meaning
O, O, O, O, O
Repetition of the letter "O" to start the chorus
I think this
Statement indicating the beginning of a personal reflection
Obie Trice
Introduction of the artist
I'd like to reintroduce myself, ha ha
Humorous way of expressing the desire to reintroduce oneself
If you don't know by now. It's Obie Trice man
Acknowledgement that the artist might not be well-known
I came from nothing solo, straight outta the dumpster hobo
Personal background of growing up in poverty and homelessness
Made up my monster, I was cultivatingly slanging that cocoa
Use of drug dealing as a means of survival
Hated the po po, locally known as abominable snow-o
Dislike of the police, who are compared to a mythical creature
Later the pig fo' rated the home where I made the dough grow
Police raided the artist's home while he was selling drugs
So on and so fo', the story of us urban negros
Reflection on the experiences of black people living in urban areas
Created as equals we wouldn't have to be so eager to mistreat you
Hope that society will become more equitable to reduce mistreatment of others
We as a people heated in evenings doing these evils
People resorting to criminal activities to make a living
Gotta eat you, be cool, got a kid to feed that'll reach you
Motivation to continue selling drugs to provide for oneself and others
Or did it see through? Or do I just speak through the EQ just to say I got a hot sequel
Questioning whether his music has a deeper meaning or if he is just trying to create a successful sequel to his first album
When niggaz on the block gotta eat, gotta cop, gotta cot when they caught by the cops
Acknowledgement of the harsh reality of many people's lives
Young Tupac's, laid in the box or they age in a cell blocks, fade away
Comparison of young black men to the late rapper Tupac Shakur who faced legal troubles and was killed at a young age
Brick walls, steel gates, can't wait for the day to be free, that's why I'm
Desire for freedom despite the obstacles and challenges
Seen it, I done ate it, I done shit it
Personal experience with the drug world
Slept it, lived it, now I spit it
Writing about one's personal experiences and struggles
Working that house off an no-doze, got an ounce to roll on
Reference to long hours spent working and selling drugs
Trying to get rid of the pounds, I gotta whip the bounce, I gotta put that chrome on
Goals to sell drugs quickly and efficiently while protecting oneself
Same old song, young nigga that's trying to get some where I come from
Struggle to escape poverty and make a better life for oneself
Funds, need 'em in abundance, whole bunch, only way a city boy function
Necessity of money to survive and thrive in the city
In conjunction with selling this substance
Connection between selling drugs and making money
Chips stay up, fuck it, glucks keep coming
Desire to continue earning money even if it involves illegal activity
Take another pie out the oven
Reference to cooking and selling drugs
I'ma be hugging these corners till these corners corner me
Commitment to continue selling drugs despite the dangers
But currently, I'm calculating this currency, urgency
Focus on earning money as a priority
Gotta earn a G, uphearnestly, up early when the birds'll sing
Motivation to earn a lot of money and to work hard to achieve it
It's an emergency, never did occur to me, that the first and the third'll be
Realization that a career in music was possible and that it could be successful
Such a thirst for me, life almost took a turn for the worst for me took to see
Desire and drive to succeed in life and music despite the challenges and struggles
I finally had a purpose on Earth's surface the seed that was birthing me
Discovery of one's purpose in life through music
[Obie] Gotta do a little soul searching and [Obie] myself personally
Personal growth and reflection
And to think all Em had to hear is one verse from me
Reference to the artist's relationship with Eminem and the impact that one verse had on his career
To confirm and unblur my dreams
Validation of one's aspirations and goals
Best believe since burst on the scene, I'm a be here certainly
Confidence in one's ability to succeed in music
With no uncertainties, yes indeed, I'm a get this cheese and that's why he's
Determination to earn money and be successful in the music industry
Young black man in America
Acknowledgement of the systemic challenges faced by black men in America
Get up and get yours nigga
Encouragement to take action and make things happen
I know you struggling man, I been there
Empathy and understanding for those going through difficult times
I see you
Acknowledgement of others' experiences and struggles
Ain't no looking back now
Commitment to moving forward and making progress
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