Obie Trice
Detroit-based rapper Obie Trice is the latest protegé of the Eminem School of Hip-Hop, but has been listening to hip-hop for as long as he can remember.

“My mother bought me a karaoke machine when I was a young dude and I just used to be in the room spinning Big Daddy Kane, Run DMC and Biz Markie. All those old school cats, they influenced me to do this.”

Obie Trice (real name) made his European entree earlier this summer, during Eminem’s Anger Management Tour, and his newly released debut album features an all star Shady line-up. With vocal appearances by 50 Cent, D12, Eminem and Dr Dre, Cheers also features production by Timbaland and Rockwilder.

“My album solidifies the whole Shady family,” says Trice. “We gonna keep hitting you with dope music non-stop. We the Dream team.”

D12
Also known as the Dirty Dozen, the D12 collective comprises the lyrical talents of MCs Proof, Bizarre, Eminem, Kon Artis, Kuniva and Swift. Their Dre-produced debut album Devil’s Night (2001) went straight to number one in the US and UK charts, and they’re currently in the studio working on their follow-up, which can be expected for a mid 2004 release.

“We’ve grown up a lot since our last album and we’re going to distinguish our characters a little bit more so y’all can know who we are,” says Swift. When they’re not making hip hop D12 take time out to fish, write scripts, do karate and ten pin bowl.

G-Unit
G-Unit to 50 Cent are what D12 is to Eminem. Having all featured on Get Rich or Die Trying, Tony Yayo, Lloyd Banks and Young Buck share the full long-playing spotlight with 50 on G-Unit’s upcoming debut album, Beg For Mercy.

Meantime, 50 Cent seems to following in Em’s footsteps and building an empire of his own. He’s just released a G-Unit clothing line to accompany the G-Unit signature Reeboks. Get rich or die trying, indeed.