One of the few to bridge the 313’s underground rap scene with global superstardom, Obie Trice is a rapper best known for his wit, razor-sharp delivery, and the line that has become synonymous with his career:

“Real name, no gimmicks.”

Obie may not have invented Detroit rap, but he gave it its aesthetic. Before him, local artists who broke into the mainstream without radically changing their sound, image, and identity were far from the norm.

Obie changed that.

He stepped into the spotlight himself, boldly representing the west side of Detroit with his head held high and bars that lingered long after they were spoken.

A product of the Joy Road–Greenfield area, Obie began writing as a preteen – no stage name, no mask.

Just authentically Obie.

From there, he gradually gained a reputation in Detroit’s underground rap scene in the ’90s, appearing at open mics and ciphers with delivery that set him apart from the competition.

A a young man with clever punchlines and a personal perspective on street life, word quickly spread that Obie was distinct from the rest.

Enter Eminem.

It was the late 1990s and he was looking to expand Shady Records’ roster at the same time Obie’s name kept surfacing.
By then, he wasn’t just a skilled rapper, but a force to be reckoned with…one who already had the entire city rallying behind him.

Eminem decided to sign Obie, and from there, his first major-label opportunity came in the form of that single, iconic line that would define his career (heard in the opening of Eminem’s “Without Me”)

“Obie Trice: Real name, no gimmicks.”

By 2003, Obie was on his way up.

He released his debut album “Cheers” through Eminem’s Shady/Interscope Records, a long-awaited treasure that was everything his fans had been eagerly awaiting: dark humor, clever rhymes, street storytelling, and of course…flawless production from greats like Dr. Dre, Eminem, and Denaun Porter.

He offered two compelling lead singles: “Got Some Teeth,” and its follow-up, “Don’t Come Down” – both of which were insanely catchy yet reminded listeners that Obie was capable of depth and introspection, too, as seen in tracks like “The Set Up,” “Look in My Eyes,” and “Cheers” that showcased his talent for treading the fine line between strength and trauma, honesty and bravado.

“Cheers” went gold.

Obie had officially made it to the big leagues.

In 2005, at the height of his newfound fame, Obie was shot while driving on the Lodge Freeway in Detroit, an incident that resulted in a bullet being lodged in his skull and surgeons having to decide whether to remove it (risky) or to leave it there permanently.

Ultimately, they decided to leave it, which proved to be a smart choice.

Obie survived the incident but did not falter.

Instead, he immediately went back into the studio, releasing the album “Second Round’s On Me” that very same year: a darker, more intense follow-up that addressed everything from industry politics to street pressure and, of course, the shooting – all with brutal clarity and depth.

The album featured everyone from Eminem to 50 Cent to Nate Dogg, but it still reflected Obie’s authentic style.

In 2008, Obie parted ways with Shady Records, deciding to start a solo career by launching Black Market Entertainment, through which he released “Bottoms Up,” “The Hangover,” and “The Fifth.

He did not chase trends.

Instead, he remained faithful to his name, style, city, and sound even as the spotlight moved on.

Obie Trice has always been fiercely loyal to Detroit.

You can still catch him turning up at shows, mentoring younger artists, and reminding natives that longevity is more important than hype.

In short, Obie is a man who has carved out his own lane simply by being himself. No gimmicks, no theatrics…just hard-hitting bars, realness, and an entire city rallying behind him.

He’s not just a Shady Records alum.

He’s the 313’s no-filter emcee…a legend who never needed any introduction.

Victoria Jackson (Editor In Chief)

Victoria Jackson is a lifelong student and sharp-eyed documentarian of all things Detroit, from its rich musical roots and cultural icons to its shifting neighborhoods, storied architecture, and underground legends. With her finger firmly on the pulse of both the city’s vibrant past and its rapidly unfolding future, she brings a deeply personal, historically grounded lens to every piece she writes.

Published on: September 17, 2025