Second Round's On Me

Obie Trice deserves respect and even admiration

Detroit-based rapper Obie Trice released his debut album Cheers in 2003, under the Shady Records label, and though it was not as popular as the works of Eminem and his another protege 50 Cent, the US rap fans acknowledged Obie as talented performer. His career might have been like that of many other young artists but his life went a different direction when last January he got shot in the head on a Detroit highway. Luckily he stayed alive and this year Obie Trice has unleashed his sophomore effort Second Round’s On Me. The release date of the album as been several times postponed for different reasons including the death of Eminem’s best friend and counterpart Proof, who got killed also with a head shot. Hence living in Detroit does not seem safe enough to many rappers. Considering these events, there is little wonder that the basic feel of Obie Trice’s second album are oppression and struggle against violence, constant threat and aggression. Offering a number of very personal songs, Second Round’s On Me is also refined by club dance numbers and melancholic rap compositions. There is no doubt that having got the hard experience and possessing an ability to move on Obie Trice deserves respect and even admiration.

Second Round’s On Me is not at all an album for the weak-nerved

The combination of Eminem’s production and Obie Trice’s irrefutable zeal and talent, the new work marks an obvious musical growth of the rapper. The only feature of Second Round’s On Me that can be thought a drawback is its length: consisting of 18 tracks, the record requires more than one listen to get the full idea of each song. Opening with a short Intro, it goes on with a tough song Wake Up its hardness being emphasized with low dark basses. Violent takes this mood up and carries it to the up-beat and a bit aggressive track Wanna Know, on which Trice is asking the vital questions about the human values. The first single off Snitch featuring Akon is filled with the expectation of a threat from everywhere and measures of precaution that should be taken. It’s catchy sonic sample makes the song a candidate for the new rap hit, and Eminem’s influence does only good to the song. The tracks’ names speaks for themselves in cases like Ballad Of Obie Trice and the final composition Obie Story, both sogs are touchig with their honesty and simplicity of the lyrics in which the artist shares his thoughts and feelings with the audience. Two tracks please with the appearance of Trey Songz (bellicose Ghetto and sentimental Mama) and on Every Where I Go we find Obie Trice dueting with his labelmate 50 Cent, who brings in some singing. Long and severe, Second Round’s On Me is not at all an album for the weak-nerved.

Obie asks for no pity or sympathy

Eminem’s black humor is alien to Obie Trice who knows from his own experience about the threat of death and other attributes of the street life. Though the producer’s influence is clearly felt on the most part of Second Round’s On Me tracks, the album is absolutely out of the beaten line. Of course, Obie’s creative work is only beginning to bring its fruit, it is already quite understandable, that he is going to make a great career as an experienced rapper. His today’s creation has been written during the rapper’s tough times, and all their aspects are reflected on the record. Hopefully Second Round’s On Me has put a grand full-stop in Trice’s worst period of life for he has finally got the opportunity to speak himself out and forget the horror he has survived. Obie asks for no pity or sympathy demonstrating the courage and a strong spirit necessary to survive both in Detroit and the show business. Taking into account his unconventional luck, it is very probable that he is going to occupy an honorable place among the world’s best rappers for quite a long time and will soon please the audience with new works as powerful and intensive as Second Round’s On Me. And for now, Obie Trice’s fans will certainly take care that his efforts are rewarded.