Obie Trice - Bottoms Up Album Review

By Jasmine Allday / April 3, 2012

rating: 3.5

Website: www.blackmarketent313.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/obietrice Release date: 3rd April 2012 It's been a long time since Obie Trice was rapping in local competitions around Detroitand 21 years on, he is releasing his third studio album. With a huge wait of 6 years, there is no doubt that Bottoms Up has been highly-anticipated by his fans for years, but judging on the success of his last two albums (both top 10 on the Billboard 200) it has a lot to live up to. Originally from Michigan in the US, Obie Trice first came to the attention of the masses after he was signed to Shady Records in 2000. He is probably best known for his trademark saying, "Obie Trice - real name, no gimmicks€, which most people may recognise as the opening line of Without Me from The Eminem Show. He has also performed a freestyle skit on D12's Devil's Night album, which was produced by Eminem. Obie has rapped on some songs that form part of the 8 Mile soundtrack as well as making a cameo appearance in the film. With his departure from Shady Records in June 2008, Obie took to creating his own music label but some fans are unsure if this was the best move. Will Obie Trice still be as successful without a huge record label behind his new album? Bottoms Up follows the first two albums nicely. A drinking theme surrounds the names of his previous albums - Cheers and Second Round's On Me. Overall, I have to say his album packs quite a considerable punch, the same effect you'd get from a couple of shots of a hard spirit. But that after feeling of sickness and nausea, is not there in this case. Right from the Intro, Obie proves he is a bit different than other rap artists. The album begins with a unique twist - a thank you for buying his album. The beat of this track is easy to get into and I even found myself tapping along every now and again. The piano riff is catchy and consistent. I wouldn't class the intro as a song itself, its more like a list of credits rapped. There's no doubt that it's quite unique and despite having a star-studded producer in Dr. Dre, I think this track is more of a one-off listen, if you even choose to listen at all. Going No Where is probably the best track on the album. After Obie's departure from Shady Records, rumours flew around that Obie and Eminem had fallen out but this couldn't be further from the truth. My first thought when I heard this track was that it was actually from an Eminem album, but it€™s just produced by the man himself. This track is really catchy and I can imagine it will be enjoyed by Eminem and Obie fans alike. Overall, Obie Trice has really surprised me. I can find rap music quite repetitive and whilst some of the tracks do seem a little too similar, there is definitely something different about most of the tracks. I think this album has a good chance of joining its predecessors in the top 10 of the US Billboard 200 album chart when it is released this week.