Obie Trice, III (born November 14, 1977 as stated in the song "Follow My Life") is an American rapper from Detroit, Michigan. He began rapping at the age of 11, and had a number of underground hits such as "Respect", "My Club", "Dope Jobs Homeless", and "The Well Known Asshole" before he signed to Shady Records in 2000. Obie Trice credits himself for having no "rap name" (stage name), but instead using his birth name/given name for performing, as also mentioned in one of his songs, "Rap Name". Trice has stated that he uses his real name because, "it sounds cool and fake enough to be a stage name."