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
It Has Been Said
Obie Trice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It has been said, that there has been known to be bloodshed
Over bread, men who have bled to death, dead
Strapped to beds, pipe bombs, dynamite, lead
Money, power, respect, street cred, yeah
It's scary ain't it? Picture yourself goin' out as a hero
Picture mural pictures of us painted all over street corners
Fans meet to mourn us, while we meet the coroners
We watched, so many piggybacked off of
Biggie's back and Pac's, landmarks, history in rap
Statistically in fact, it's so sad to see us re-enact
These tragic events, which lead us back
To where we left off on March 9th
To come from such hard knock lives
And make it up out of 'em, hit the spotlights
And once they're on us this is our lives
Thrust out for all eyes to cast upon us
To see who can last the longest
And he who lasts the longest, must be the strongest
In this concrete jungle, where this dog eat dog mentality comes from
It's origin, which is usually originated from cats who starvin'
Or it could just be somebody's horror, that just horrifies
And applies to his persona or the sizes
In his entourage that intimidates the people
To the point that you know he's gangster
He ain't just say shit, you just believe it
Since B.I.G. taught us niggas to think big
I've been about my business since then, so anxious
It ain't how we live, it's what he said, he did it for Brooklyn
This I took in, sent chills through my skin
Vicious, I'm experiencin' the same sights as him
It's what excited Obie to write these poems
Rollin', goin' through the same shit he spoken
Open up my eyes so there's no limit in them skies
When "Ready to Die" was a sick part of my life
Palmin' that .45, plottin' to pop my mind
Then that crooked eye Jamaican I'd so many times rewind
Got me to walk a straight line and get up on my grind
Get up out the system, who could give him better signs
No pop of mine could top Big Poppa rhymes
So possibly I'd be popular, huh?
That's the inspiration I got from my nigga B.I
I took him from coal to diamond, I molded his mind
Enter the most phenomenal artist of any and all time
I made a Frankenstein, my design impressed
Backpackers and press who said my house was a mess
Critics lashed, said I made a fortune off of his passin'
All I did was build a dynasty off of his passion
And I'm addressin' the adolescents absent to who he is
The original king of New York, Christopher Wallace
This is a promise on Diddy's honor, I'ma father T'Yanna
And teach her that with all the drama don't even bother
On repeat, all of your albums play back to back
And I visit your grave 'cause our friendship's intact
An immaculate concept, extravagant progress
Bullet wounds left in my heart, I'm yellin' "God bless"
Regardless to critics yellin' that East, West
I seen the game losin, I'm just pressin' the reset
And when the resurrections of you shines through an individual
Lyrical enough to wear the same crown of thorns literally
I'ma pay homage, Brooklyn's finest
Whether it's Queens or Harlem, it'll be instant stardom, nigga
The lyrics to Obie Trice's song "It Has Been Said" delve into the themes of violence, struggle, and the enduring legacy of iconic rappers Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur. The song starts by acknowledging the prevalent bloodshed and deadly consequences that have been witnessed over conflicts related to power, money, and respect. It highlights the haunting nature of the circumstances, with vivid imagery of being remembered as heroes, murals painted on street corners, and fans mourning their loss.
The lyrics also make a reference to how many other artists have gained success by riding on the coattails of Biggie and Pac, depicting their influence and impact as landmarks and historical events in the rap genre. Tragically, these moments are reenacted time and again, ultimately bringing us back to the tragic events of March 9th (the date of Notorious B.I.G.'s death). It speaks to the resilience and strength required to endure in the cutthroat world of the music industry, highlighting that only the strongest can survive.
The second verse pays homage to B.I.G., acknowledging his influence on Obie Trice's mindset and approach to his own career. B.I.G.'s teachings about thinking big have shaped Trice's business-oriented mindset ever since. Trice reflects on the impact that albums like "Ready to Die" had on his life, discussing the struggles he faced and the motivation he found in B.I.G.'s lyrics. He also mentions the Jamaican artist Crooked I (now known as KXNG Crooked), whose music served as a source of inspiration and guidance.
The final verse is an explicit tribute to B.I.G. and his enduring legacy. Trice sees himself as the one who transformed B.I.G.'s raw potential into a phenomenal artist, shaping his mindset and ultimately building a dynasty based on his passion. Trice addresses those who criticize him for capitalizing on B.I.G.'s death, asserting that he is honoring B.I.G.'s memory and teaching his daughter the importance of rising above drama. He speaks of visiting B.I.G.'s grave and continues to pay his respects to their friendship.
Overall, "It Has Been Said" is a reflection on the violent realities of the rap industry, the influence and impact of iconic artists like Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur, and the personal growth and inspiration that can be derived from their legacies.
Line by Line Meaning
It has been, it has been, it has been, it has been
There have been ongoing, continuous events and circumstances
It has been said, that there has been known to be bloodshed
There is a widely known understanding that violence has occurred
Over bread, men who have bled to death, dead
People have lost their lives in conflicts over money and resources
Strapped to beds, pipe bombs, dynamite, lead
Extreme measures like bombs and firearms have been used in acts of violence
Money, power, respect, street cred, yeah
These are the driving forces and status symbols in the streets
It's scary ain't it? Picture yourself goin' out as a hero
Imagine the fear and danger of becoming a martyr or a legendary figure
Picture mural pictures of us painted all over street corners
Imagining the recognition and remembrance of our legacy through street art
Fans meet to mourn us, while we meet the coroners
Our admirers gather to grieve our deaths, while we face our final fate
Notorious tried to warn us
The late rapper Notorious B.I.G. tried to caution us about the dangers
We watched, so many piggybacked off of
We witnessed numerous individuals capitalizing on the success of others
Biggie's back and Pac's, landmarks, history in rap
The legacies of Biggie Smalls and Tupac Shakur are iconic and historical in hip-hop
Statistically in fact, it's so sad to see us re-enact
Sadly, it is a recurring pattern for us to recreate these tragic events
These tragic events, which lead us back
The cycle of violence and tragedy keeps repeating itself
To where we left off on March 9th
Referring to the date of Notorious B.I.G.'s death
To come from such hard knock lives
To overcome challenging upbringings and adversities
And make it up out of 'em, hit the spotlights
To achieve success and fame despite the obstacles faced
And once they're on us this is our lives
Once the spotlight is on us, this becomes our reality
Thrust out for all eyes to cast upon us
Subjected to the scrutiny and judgment of the public
To see who can last the longest
To determine who can endure and thrive the most in this industry
And he who lasts the longest, must be the strongest
The one who can endure the longest must possess great strength
In this concrete jungle, where this dog eat dog mentality comes from
Referring to the competitive and ruthless nature of the music industry
It's origin, which is usually originated from cats who starvin'
This mentality often arises from individuals experiencing desperation and hunger
Or it could just be somebody's horror, that just horrifies
It may also be someone's personal trauma that perpetuates this behavior
And applies to his persona or the sizes
And influences how they present themselves or their groups
In his entourage that intimidates the people
The presence of intimidating individuals in their group can instill fear in others
To the point that you know he's gangster
Their reputation and actions make it evident that they are involved in criminal activities
He ain't just say shit, you just believe it
Their words hold weight and credibility, and people unquestioningly believe them
Since B.I.G. taught us niggas to think big
Since Notorious B.I.G. inspired us to have ambitious dreams and goals
I've been about my business since then, so anxious
I have been focused on pursuing my goals with determination and eagerness
It ain't how we live, it's what he said, he did it for Brooklyn
It's not just our lifestyle, it's the actions and influence of Notorious B.I.G.
This I took in, sent chills through my skin
I absorbed this knowledge and it had a profound impact on me
Vicious, I'm experiencin' the same sights as him
I am encountering similar experiences and challenges as Notorious B.I.G.
It's what excited Obie to write these poems
These experiences and insights inspired Obie Trice to express himself through poetry
Rollin', goin' through the same shit he spoken
Navigating through the same struggles and hardships that Notorious B.I.G. spoke about
Open up my eyes so there's no limit in them skies
Having a perspective that allows me to see endless possibilities
When 'Ready to Die' was a sick part of my life
Referring to the album 'Ready to Die' and how it resonated with Obie Trice
Palmin' that .45, plottin' to pop my mind
Holding onto a gun, contemplating self-destruction
Then that crooked eye Jamaican I'd so many times rewind
Listening repeatedly to the songs of the artist Crooked I, who had been through similar struggles
Got me to walk a straight line and get up on my grind
Motivated me to stay focused and work hard towards my goals
Get up out the system, who could give him better signs
Escaping the negative influences and restrictions of the system
No pop of mine could top Big Poppa rhymes
No music made by someone else can surpass the lyrical prowess of Notorious B.I.G.
So possibly I'd be popular, huh?
So maybe I could become popular in the same way?
That's the inspiration I got from my nigga B.I
That's the motivation I derived from Notorious B.I.G.
I took him from coal to diamond, I molded his mind
I transformed him from being unknown and rough to being a shining star, shaping his mindset
Enter the most phenomenal artist of any and all time
Introducing the greatest artist of all time, surpassing all others
I made a Frankenstein, my design impressed
I created something extraordinary, my influence left a lasting impact
Backpackers and press who said my house was a mess
Critics, particularly underground hip-hop fans and journalists, criticized my style and artistic choices
Critics lashed, said I made a fortune off of his passin'
Critics accused me of capitalizing on Notorious B.I.G.'s death to gain wealth and success
All I did was build a dynasty off of his passion
I created an empire based on his love and dedication for music
And I'm addressin' the adolescents absent to who he is
I am speaking to the younger generation who may not fully understand his legacy
The original king of New York, Christopher Wallace
Referring to Notorious B.I.G. as the true king of New York, his real name being Christopher Wallace
This is a promise on Diddy's honor, I'ma father T'Yanna
Making a solemn commitment on behalf of Diddy, I will be a father figure to T'Yanna, Notorious B.I.G.'s daughter
And teach her that with all the drama don't even bother
Guiding her to not get caught up in unnecessary conflicts and controversies
On repeat, all of your albums play back to back
Continuously listening to all of Notorious B.I.G.'s albums in succession
And I visit your grave 'cause our friendship's intact
Paying respects at Notorious B.I.G.'s burial site to honor our enduring friendship
An immaculate concept, extravagant progress
A flawless and brilliant idea, remarkable growth and advancement
Bullet wounds left in my heart, I'm yellin' 'God bless'
Feeling immense pain and sorrow from the loss, expressing a plea for divine protection
Regardless to critics yellin' that East, West
Disregarding critics who emphasized the divide between the East and West Coast hip-hop scenes
I seen the game losin, I'm just pressin' the reset
Observing the decline of the music industry, I am striving to restart and rejuvenate it
And when the resurrections of you shines through an individual
When your essence and spirit are evident in someone's artistry
Lyrical enough to wear the same crown of thorns literally
Talented enough to deserve the same level of recognition and reverence, symbolically comparing it to Jesus' crown of thorns
I'ma pay homage, Brooklyn's finest
I will show deep respect and admiration, representing the best of Brooklyn
Whether it's Queens or Harlem, it'll be instant stardom, nigga
Regardless of the specific borough in New York, success in the music industry will bring fame rapidly
Lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd.
Written by: Steven Jordan, Trevor Smith, Christopher Wallace, Sean Combs, Bill Conti, Jay Hawkins, Jason Phillips, Chris Martin, Marshall Mathers, Obie Trice, Leroy Watson
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind