Biography

As an acquaintance of D12 member Bizarre, Obie Trice was signed after a personal introduction to Eminem allowed him to impress the Detroit rapper in person. The general public was first introduced to Obie on D12's Devil's Night album on a skit. His one-line opener ("Obie Trice: real name, no gimmicks.") on Eminem's lead single, "Without Me", off the 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 premiered at the Cannes International Film Festival in May 2006.

Trice's 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 Kon Artis. Artists featuring on Cheers include Busta Rhymes, Eminem, 50 Cent, Lloyd Banks, Dr. Dre, Nate Dogg and D12 among others. The album was eventually certified platinum by the RIAA.

In 2005, he began work on his second album, entitled Second Round's on Me. The album was finally released on August 15, 2006. Following the release of Second Round's on Me, he released a mixtape called Bar Shots with G-Unit's DJ Whoo Kid.

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 head. 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, as it may be too dangerous to operate.

Shortly after his label-mate Proof was shot to death in a Detroit nightclub, a song emerged on the mixtape circuit called "Ride Wit Me". The song was dedicated to Proof. Trice made a speech at Proof's funeral, addressing the problem of black-on-black violence:

I want to talk to the niggas in here that's coming up in the 'hood, coming up in the struggle. We're killing each other, nigga. And it's about nothing. Nothing. Nothing. We're all dying... over niggas.

In the single "Cry Now" from his second album, Trice addresses his shooting and label-mate Eminem's rumored retirement: "Rock City is my voice / The white boy has stepped down / So I will accept the crown." The third single off the album is "Jamaican Girl", a video for which was shot and released.

Disputes

A short while before the first Invasion mixtape was released, he became involved in a dispute between Eminem and Benzino; the dispute began with the line "Obie Trice/You's a buster" in a Benzino diss-track directed at Eminem and Shady Records. In response, Trice 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 publicized dispute between Ja Rule and 50 Cent, appearing on DMX's "Go to Sleep" and having a song "Shit Hits The Fan" with Dr Dre & Eminem, but never received a direct response from Ja Rule.

Appearances in popular media

Obie Trice and Akon recently appeared on the crime-drama CSI, in a party scene performing their single "Snitch". Another Obie Trice single "Wanna Know" was featured on the soundtrack to EA Sports Fight Night Round 3 and Discovery Network's Science Channel winter promos. "Wanna Know" was also featured in the first few seconds of HBO original series Entourage; the track can be heard in the first scene, last scene and closing credits of season 2 episode 7, "The Sundance Kids". HBO reused "Wanna Know" in two teasers for Entourage's third season. The song "Jamaican Girl" can be heard in episode 7 of season 3, "I Wanna Be Sedated".