Obie Trice - Second Round's on Me

 The second round's on him, but throw him a few bucks anyway
Obie Trice has to be one of the most underrated artists on Shady Records, if not one of the most underrated artists in the whole rap game. I thought he disappeared after Cheers, but then I was just looking online one day and I discovered that he released a new album last year called Second Round's On Me, so I picked it up.

Unlike other reviewers, I think this album is a little better than Cheers. The album's intro IS unnecessary, but that can be easily ignored after hearing gems like "Cry Now", the 50-assisted "Everywhere I Go", and "Wanna Know" (although the metaphor about an Obie tampon is a little too politically incorrect). Even "Snitch", an otherwise played-out topic among rappers, works well.

Obie has also left his playfulness behind for the most part and instead gives us some great storytelling tracks. "Ballad of Obie Trice" and "Obie Story" are autobiographical songs that don't sound so clichéd, while "Wake Up" makes for an interesting listen. But other songs impress as well, like one of the best tracks, "All of My Life", because as you should remember from "The Set Up", Obie and Nate Dogg go together like peanut butter and jelly (but note to Obie, the word is "menstruation", not "menustration"). And you'd be hard-pressed not to find a posse cut reppin' Detroit, so "There They Go" (with Eminem, Trick Trick and Big Herk) is for that.

Speaking of guest stars, though, when Trey Songz comes aboard, he hits ("Mama") and misses ("Ghetto"). And another problem with the latter is that the fact that Obie is rapping so slowly to keep in sync with the beat makes his flow sound strange. But this is still a great (and unsurprisingly overlooked) album, so if the second round's on him, hell; I'LL cover the THIRD round.

Anthony Rupert September 12, 2007

 Another Obie Trice hit: Second Round's On Me
Obie Trice did well with this album. I think it's just as good as the Cheers album. Obie raps about his life and how he grew up and he keeps it real with songs like "Snitch" feat. Akon and "Ballad of Obie Trice" and "Cry Now". I also like the songs "Kill Me A Mutha", "Everywhere I Go" (which 50 Cent delivers a good chorus), "Jamaican Girl" feat. Brick & Lace, "There They Go" feat. Big Herk, Eminem & Trick Trick, "All Of My Life" feat. Nate Dogg, "Lay Down", "Ghetto" feat. Trey Songz (who's featured on another song too) and one of Obie's greats "Obie Story". The other songs are good as well. The beats on alot of the songs are good too. Obie Trice is another hiphop artist who's real with his raps. Good album. August 14, 2007

 garbage
this might be the worst cd i have ever heard. there is only 1 good song on here, snitch. the rest of this album is so bad its rediculis. dont buy this May 17, 2007

 Obie earns spot in hip-hop
Granted, the album could have gone without a few songs... but the quality of the majority of the music more than makes up for the lack of originality on certain tracks. Considering, however, that every major-label-released album takes swings at making that one "hit", Obie spits venom on enough tracks to merit the "5 stars" I gave it. Trice steps out of his Shady/Aftermath shell on his sophomore album, showing his true prowess as an mcee. Unlike Cheers, this album's fuel is all Obie Trice, both as a person and as one of the greatest mcees in the game. I believe this is one of the most over-looked albums of the year. Had more artists been as talented, original, and unrelenting as Obie Trice, whether or not hip-hop is dead would never be an issue. Cop this album: you won't be dissapointed February 23, 2007

 Better than first album?
Obie Trice seems comfortable, and lyrics flow better than first album. Album sounds lower budget than Cheers, but the rest makes up! I still say Cheers is better. If you like Obie Trice you'll like this CD it's not as disappointing as other reviews claim! January 31, 2007

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