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
dope
Obie Trice Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
i sold dope, watched fiends crave for rock
watch 'em watchin me put the stash in my sock (yo yo)
walkie talk to niggas from the corner when the feds bout to enter
pumped up blocks, some of the winter
kerosene heaters by my feet
takin tops off just so a nigga can eat lunch meat
end of the month too excited to get sleep
i bagged up tools, aggravated while picky mother fuckers
who don't know which rock to choose (pick man)
took out of town trips 2 seconds and the son of a bitch
narcs run in talkin shit
i know about dope
i lost my man luke to the coke
pumpin over there off of desoto
any nigga who don't know about this
i hit you with the iron mike quote
that's ludicris shittin in the tub, pissin in the tub
hepatitis b inflicted in a thug (yo, i'm sick man)
i know about that shit right there
Chorus:
ey yo, dope, jobs, homeless did it all
ya'll niggas can't tell me shit
dope, jobs, homeless did it all
who the fuck gone tell me shit
dope, jobs, homeless
i done had jobs, black
boss man yellin at the top of his lungs about a fuckin big mac (get that burger)
you damn near fired a restaurant manager who can't manage shit
stressed out and tired
i'm talkin bout blacks
you work all week with boo
and one day your man boo just collapsed
his breakdown is caused by his bitch
who dropped the drawers for a nigga who could really floss
5.25 and make your mouth leakin on top of that shit
you get a check every other week
you work a week in the hole
it's 30 muthafuckers on payroll
you work when they WANT you to
equal opportunity? nigga, right..
suburban community check stubs always hella tight
my shit lookin like this?
i got a bitch, a baby and i need a place to piss (damn..what i'm supposed to do with this shit)
pissed off at check time cuz i was skipped
that's when Obie Trice start cockin back the shit...fuck this
Chorus
i done been homeless
no place to sleep (yo)
mom's don't wanna hear it
no place to eat (come on ma)
pass out on my man's couch just for a week (yeah)
til he get fed up and kick a nigga to the street (get the fuck out of here dawg)
black out from cold
freezin my toes (damn)
snow fuckin over my boots
my tems froze (shit)
face turnin blue
cars riding by with the little children on the inside pointin at you (mommy look at that man)
been fucked over folks
and they don't want to see ya
baby momma got a new nigga with a visa
sleepin in cars..abandoned shit
while the rats eat the wires
you be plannin shit (please Lord please)
close to pneumonia
wishin for heat like
damn if only i came up in california
plottin on a lick like
stickin your mans
cause damn you know he got at least a grand in his pants
face lookin old
despite the fact you only 20 years old
stuck in the cold
snot drippin profusely (sniff sniff)
takin an alley route
so my ex-cutie won't notice me
Chorus (2x)
mother fucker i done did it all
yeah, shit is real out here
nap entertainment
2000
fuck, nigga
The lyrics to Obie Trice's song "Dope" paint a gritty and intense picture of the struggles and experiences the artist has faced throughout his life. The first verse describes his involvement in selling drugs, witnessing fiends craving crack cocaine and stashing drugs in his sock. He talks about communicating with others through walkie talkies to evade the authorities, enduring harsh conditions like using kerosene heaters and skipping sleep in order to make ends meet. Trice also mentions the loss of his friend to the destructive allure of cocaine. The chorus reaffirms his resilience and refusal to be judged by others, as he emphasizes that he has experienced homelessness, held jobs, and engaged in illegal activities.
In the second verse, Trice shifts focus to his experience with jobs, particularly working under a demanding boss and dealing with racial discrimination. He describes the frustration of working long hours and experiencing mental breakdowns due to personal issues. Trice highlights the income disparity and struggles with finances, comparing his meager monthly check to others in more affluent suburban communities. The verse ends with his anger and feeling disrespected when he is overlooked for his paycheck, leading to his growing resentment towards the system.
The final verse delves into Trice's experience of being homeless. He vividly describes the struggle of finding shelter, sleeping on his friend's couch until he is eventually kicked out. Trice details the chilling cold, snow-covered boots, and the humiliation of being observed by children while living on the streets. He talks about being betrayed by people in his life and the desperation to survive, even contemplating stealing from his friends. Trice ends the song by reiterating that he has indeed done it all, emphasizing the raw authenticity of his experiences.
Line by Line Meaning
Shitted in it...ran from it nigga...fuck, i done did it all
I have experienced and done everything, even the things I am not proud of
i sold dope, watched fiends crave for rock
I have sold drugs and witnessed addicts yearning for crack cocaine
watch 'em watchin me put the stash in my sock (yo yo)
I am aware of people observing me as I hide drugs in my sock
walkie talk to niggas from the corner when the feds bout to enter
I communicate with my accomplices through walkie talkies when the police are about to arrive
pumped up blocks, some of the winter
I have increased drug sales during the colder months
kerosene heaters by my feet
I use kerosene heaters to keep warm
takin tops off just so a nigga can eat lunch meat
I have been so desperate for food that I had to open cans of food without a can opener
4 days no z's from first to third
I have gone four days without sleep from the beginning of the month to the end of the month
end of the month too excited to get sleep
At the end of the month, I am too enthusiastic about earning money to even sleep
i bagged up tools, aggravated while picky mother fuckers
I have packaged drugs and felt annoyed by customers who are particular about which rocks of crack cocaine they choose
who don't know which rock to choose (pick man)
Some customers are unsure about which crack cocaine rock they should purchase
took out of town trips 2 seconds and the son of a bitch
I have gone on quick trips out of town to transport drugs
narcs run in talkin shit
Undercover police officers enter and start talking nonsense
i know about dope
I am knowledgeable about drugs and the drug trade
i lost my man luke to the coke
I lost my friend Luke to a cocaine addiction
pumpin over there off of desoto
I am selling drugs in the Desoto area
any nigga who don't know about this
If anyone is unaware of this lifestyle and drug trade
i hit you with the iron mike quote
I will inform you about this lifestyle with a quote from Iron Mike Tyson
that's ludicris shittin in the tub
That behavior is absurd, like defecating in the bathtub
pissin in the tub
Also, urinating in the bathtub
hepatitis b inflicted in a thug
A thug has contracted Hepatitis B
yo, i'm sick man
I am physically unwell due to these dangerous activities
i know about that shit right there
I am well aware of that kind of lifestyle and its consequences
Chorus:
ey yo, dope, jobs, homeless did it all
Hey, I have experienced and done drugs, had various jobs, and even been homeless
ya'll niggas can't tell me shit
No one can tell me anything because of my extensive life experiences
i done had jobs, black
I have had various jobs, my fellow African Americans
boss man yellin at the top of his lungs about a fuckin big mac (get that burger)
My boss would yell loudly about a Big Mac burger, demanding that I prioritize it
you damn near fired a restaurant manager who can't manage shit
I almost got fired by a restaurant manager who is incapable of managing anything effectively
stressed out and tired
I am constantly stressed and exhausted
i'm talkin bout blacks
I am referring specifically to African Americans
you work all week with boo
I work alongside my friend, named Boo, for the entire week
and one day your man boo just collapsed
Suddenly, Boo, my friend and coworker, collapsed
his breakdown is caused by his bitch
His breakdown is a result of his girlfriend
who dropped the drawers for a nigga who could really floss
She cheated on him with a man who has a more extravagant lifestyle
5.25 and make your mouth leakin on top of that shit
Earning a low wage of $5.25 per hour, and still having to deal with additional negative circumstances
you get a check every other week
I receive a paycheck every two weeks
you work a week in the hole
I work for a week without receiving a paycheck
it's 30 muthafuckers on payroll
There are 30 people employed
you work when they WANT you to
I only work when they want me to, without much control over my schedule
equal opportunity? nigga, right..
The idea of equal opportunity is nothing but a joke
suburban community check stubs always hella tight
People from the suburban community always have large, impressive paychecks
my shit lookin like this?
My paycheck does not look anything like that
i got a bitch, a baby and i need a place to piss
I have a partner, a child, and I am struggling to find a place to relieve myself
pissed off at check time cuz i was skipped
I am angry during paycheck distribution because I was overlooked
that's when Obie Trice start cockin back the shit...fuck this
That's when I, Obie Trice, become angry and ready to take action
Chorus
i done been homeless
I have experienced homelessness
no place to sleep (yo)
I had nowhere to sleep
mom's don't wanna hear it
My mother does not want to listen to my struggles
no place to eat (come on ma)
I have no place to have a meal, as I plead with my mother to understand
pass out on my man's couch just for a week
I slept on my friend's couch for a week
til he get fed up and kick a nigga to the street
Until he got tired of me and forcefully expelled me to the streets
black out from cold
I lose consciousness from the extreme cold
freezin my toes
My toes are freezing
snow fuckin over my boots
Snow is ruining my boots
my tems froze
My Timberland boots are frozen
face turnin blue
My face is turning blue from the freezing temperatures
cars riding by with the little children on the inside pointin at you
Cars drive by, with children inside, pointing and laughing at me
mommy look at that man
Children in a passing car, telling their mother to look at me
been fucked over folks
I have been used and taken advantage of by people
and they don't want to see ya
Those people no longer want anything to do with me
baby momma got a new nigga with a visa
My child's mother has a new partner with a visa
sleepin in cars..abandoned shit
I have slept in cars and abandoned places
while the rats eat the wires
Meanwhile, rats are gnawing on the electrical wires
you be plannin shit (please Lord please)
I am contemplating various plans and strategies, hoping for divine intervention
close to pneumonia
I am at risk of developing pneumonia
wishing for heat like damn if only i came up in california
I long for warmth and wish I was born and raised in California
plottin on a lick like stickin your mans
I am planning a robbery, like targeting and robbing my own friend
cause damn you know he got at least a grand in his pants
Because, you know, he carries at least a thousand dollars in his pants
face lookin old
Despite being only twenty years old, my face appears much older
despite the fact you only 20 years old
Although you are only twenty years old
stuck in the cold
I am trapped in the freezing cold
snot drippin profusely (sniff sniff)
My nose is running excessively
takin an alley route
I am taking a shortcut through an alley
so my ex-cutie won't notice me
To avoid being noticed by my ex-partner
Lyrics © O/B/O APRA AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
@JohnGodwin
This is one of my favourite tracks of the era. Obie deserves more props.
@LeeTheRenegade
I remember the first time I heard this track when I was a teenager and still bumping it till this day 🔥💯💪🏽
@juelzsantana0088
Do this day, word.
@matmcgeegfx
LOVE IT. Obie is in my Top Ten forever. I don't know why he re-did this track.
@pridebullyz9893
2021 still bumping this in the U.K
@jeffjarvie7223
I bought this Vinyl for $2 when Obie was with Nap Entertainment prior to singing with Shady Records.
@TheRizzWhiz451
This joint underrated af son
@dgjspurs
Apprently this the record that Eminem heard Obie spit on and wanted to sign him up thereafter.. Love this beat so fucking simple but effective
@detroitMC313
Obie's a solid rapper. I didn't listen to this in a minute. That last verse is too real. Homeless. That's some hard shit to get through.
@RR-xu5xk
Dope and homeless he and others did it all...most of them be livin' in shelters ya'll