Obie Trice

Although Eminem was the catalyst for his first big break, Detroit rap veteran Obie Trice has sustained his career with his remarkable lyricism and capacious vocabulary. • Trice began rapping at 11 when his mother gave him a karaoke machine. He used it to spit his own lyrics over his favourite rappers’ songs. • As a teenager, Trice regularly performed at the local rap venue the Hip Hop Shop. The events were hosted by Proof of the Eminem-affiliated rap group D12. In 2000, Trice signed to the group’s label Shady Records. • In 2002, Trice featured on Eminem’s internationally diamond-certified album The Eminem Show, which snagged a Grammy for Best Rap Album. • The following year, Trice released his debut album, Cheers. Executive produced by Eminem, the album went gold in the US. • Trice released 2006’s Second Round’s on Me on Shady Records before leaving the label in 2008. He launched his own label, Black Market Entertainment, in 2010. • In 2011, Trice met with Michigan State Senator Virgin Smith Jr. to propose developing a Detroit youth music program and opening a community recording studio. • The rapper’s third album, 2012’s Bottom’s Up, features contributions from Dr. Dre and Eminem.