Obie Trice takes time off his busy schedule to drop the skinny on Second Round's on Me, the last verse he ever wrote down, and the G-Unit/The Game controversy.
Tell us about this album. What made you want to step up as executive producer this time around?
Well, I really wanted to do something amazing. So, what I did was give myself some time off and put emphasis on myself. Also, I called the label, and the label sent me CDs. I was getting beats from different individals. So, I went into the studio myself and went over these tracks and mainly just kind of put it together on my own. I didn't want to listen to no one. I didn't want to wait for no one.
I guess sometimes you wait and nothing ever happens
Exactly!
This time you have more street singles as opposed to the routine of going with radio singles. You've got "Snitch" and "Cry Now" before anything else. Why go with the street singles this time around? Do you think this approach could affect anything?
Well, I think the first single was affected because of the whole industry campaign they've got going on against anything that has dealings with 'snitching' and thats why I think that song me and Akon made wasn't a great hit, because we weren't getting a visual on it. The treatment that I wrote for that video was so amazing that you would have to check it out on Yahoomusic.com to get the full impact of the real video. The video that they're playing on MTV is nothing compared to the original video that I made. So, taking it to the streets is always a great thing. Like I said, I had sole control over this project, so it was something that I truly felt like I needed to do.
I'm sure Proof's death and the attempt on your own life affected you somehow. Did you ever feel compelled to stay away from the topic of violence on your album? Did it every cross your mind?
I went back in the studio and made a song called "Wake Up" after Proof was deaceased. I feel like this is something that goes on, man. This has been going on before they shot proof, before my incidence on New Year's Eve. Violence is in America, you know. It's just one of them things, and this is what I know about. This is where I come from. I'm not saying I'm the one that's committing these violent acts, you know what I mean.
No doubt. Any business plans? Should we look forward to Obie Trice Records anytime soon?
We're putting something together. We don't know exactly what. When it's my time to make that transition, you'll know it's coming and it's going to come correct. I want my thing to be great when I set it up, you know. Be looking for that, though. My record label's coming soon.
That's nice. I heard that you didn't write anything down on Second Round's on Me. When was the last time you wrote a verse down?
The last time I wrote a verse down was on "Lay Down" (a song on Second Round's on Me). That was the very first song I made for that album and that was the last time I sat down and wrote an actual song on paper.
Everything else was off the top?
Yeah, everything else was off the top. I'll do my 8 lines, then I'll think of the next 8 lines and just piece it together like that.
Nice, nice. Many people consider you the best rapper on the Shady roster. I know that's putting you on the spot, but, would you agree with that?
Yeah, actually I think I'm one of the best rappers doing it right now. So, you could probably say that, because I feel like, "Who's f****n with me?" You know, not to be arrogant, but, there's not a lot of artsy sh*t going on right now. Everybody's talking about this and talking about that, but, you take one of my records and you can really get a feel of real music. You can look at yourself in the mirror and feel what I'm saying on my records, because it's something you can relate to. And the wordplay is great.
How close are you with The Game? I know y'all are part of the Interscope family.
I met The Game once in Detroit and after that, the incidence went on with him and his business and I've never seen him again. We had a song together, "Growing Up in the Hood."
That's right. That brings me to my next point: I think you guys would make a powerful combination on wax. If that opportunity ever came up, would you consider it?
Oh yeah. No doubt. I'm far removed from the little situation that went on with dude. I hope...they need to work that thing out with, you know what I'm saying. G-unit is my people first and that's just the bottom line of it, you know.
Right. You don't happen to know exactly what label he's on right now. Is he really on Geffen?
I think he's on Geffen. I'm not sure, but last thing I heard, he's on Geffen.
What message do you want people to take away from Second Round's on Me?
I just really want them to see that I'm going to bring them good music on every album. I got substance in my music. I just want the listener to enjoy it. It's a great album, and I ain't going nowhere.
