Obie Trice - The Fifth

The Fifth by Obie Trice photographs the artist reclaiming his total independence. Released on August 23, 2019, on the labels Black Market Entertainment and DGB Management LLC, the album marks a break with previous periods when he was associated with Shady Records, proving that artistic creation does not need large structures to thrive. The recording takes place in a controlled sonic territory, with a total duration of 49 min 41 s for 14 tracks, a compression that attests to an expressed desire for concision and density. The artist, born in Detroit and raised in the southwestern regions of Schoolcraft and Greenfield, returns with a maturity that contrasts with his notable beginnings, such as a freestyle on Devil's Night or his participation in the soundtrack of the film 8 Mile. Here, it is the culmination of a career in which he has navigated between major labels like Shady Records and his own label, Black Market Entertainment, to arrive at this hybrid configuration managed by DGB Management LLC.

A rigorous curation where narrative clarity takes precedence

Each track, from Intro to SMR, bears the mark of a rigorous curation where the total duration of 49 min 41 s reflects a mastery of musical time. The production does not seek to drown out the voice, but to highlight it in a context where narrative clarity takes precedence over pure sonic experimentation.

The Detroit Boy's address book: G5, Lyriq, Xzibit, and Spice 1 on track

The curation of local talent forms the beating heart of this work, with seven of the fourteen tracks featuring confirmed collaborations. Lyriq appears twice in the album, providing a vocal and energetic contrast that energizes the album's structure. G5, for his part, is featured in two major tracks: "No", where he brings his distinctive touch, and "Space", where he teams up with Xzibit to form an ephemeral but powerful duo on this unique track. Further on in the album, Spice 1 and Swifty McVay collaborate on the track "185+ Deuce", while Magnedo7 appears on "ASS". These choices are not mere fillers; each guest brings a specific dimension to the overall texture of the album. The album also includes a track, "Truth to Power", where the featured artist remains unknown. This absence of an identity for the guest artist contrasts with the precision of the other collaborations, perhaps highlighting an intention of mystery or an urgency of release that erased certain credits.

A balanced dichotomy between solo tracks and features

The listening experience of The Fifth is structured around a clear dichotomy between tracks with features and those that remain solo performances, although the overall balance is well-maintained. The total duration of 49 minutes and 41 seconds for 14 tracks confirms an approach where every second counts, avoiding excessive padding that could weigh down the listening experience. The album does not aim to impress by its length or the number of collaborations, but by the precision of the choices made.

Density and duration: 14 tracks for a controlled listening experience

The opus The Fifth occupies a central place in Obie Trice's career, complementing the succession of his major studio albums: Cheers, Second Round's on Me, Special Reserve, Bottoms Up, and The Hangover. Among the fourteen tracks that make up the album, seven collaborations with local talents enliven the sonic architecture, including the dual presence of G5 on "This & That" and "Take It There", as well as that of Lyriq, who also collaborates with Xzibit on the track "Space". In conclusion, The Fifth presents itself as a complete album where every element has its place within a carefully crafted sonic architecture. The previous studio album was The Hangover (2015); this 2019 opus completes the artist's discography, with references dating back to Cheers (2003), Second Round's on Me (2006), Special Reserve (2009), and Bottoms Up (2012). The presence of labels such as Black Market Entertainment and DGB Management LLC guarantees an independence that allows Obie Trice not to be constrained by external commercial imperatives. The album is also distinguished by its opening track, Intro, and its closing track, SMR, two points that define the limits of the proposed musical cycle.

Technical details Titres :

- Release date: August 23, 2019 - Label: Black Market Entertainment/DGB Management LLC - Tracks: 14 (49 min 41 s) - Opening/closing track: Intro / SMR - Guest appearances: G5, Directorkasper, Lyriq, Magnedo7, Xzibit, Spice 1, Swifty McVay - Previous album: Second Rounds On Me (2006)