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Trae tha Truth
Trae in 2005.jpg
Thompson in 2005
Background information
Birth name Frazier Othel Thompson III
Also known as Trae
Born (1980-07-03) July 3, 1980 (age 43)
Origin Houston, Texas, U.S.
Genres Hip hop
Occupation(s)
  • Rapper
  • songwriter
Years active 1998–present
Labels

Frazier Othel Thompson III (born July 3, 1980), better known by his stage name Trae tha Truth (or simply Trae), is an American rapper from Houston, Texas. Embarking on a musical career in 1998, he soon established himself as a prominent member of the Texas hip hop scene with his solo debut, Losing Composure (2003). Same Thing Different Day (2004) and Restless (2006) followed up, the latter of which was his debut on Rap-a-Lot Records.

..... Trae is also known for his I'm On series of singles, which have featured a number of prominent artists since the first installment in 2011. He is currently signed to fellow southern hip hop artist T.I.'s Grand Hustle Records, where he was appointed the title of vice president (VP) in 2017.

In addition to his music career, Thompson is known for his activism and philanthropy as the founder of both Angel by Nature, a charity aimed at helping the impoverished youth of Texas, and Relief Gang, a non-profit organisation initially formed to help the people of Houston and the surrounding areas rebuild their homes, as well as provide shelter, food and education in the wake of 2017's Hurricane Harvey. Since forming, the group have expanded to provide aid to people in Louisiana, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, and other areas affected by natural disasters. Thompson's work has led to him being referred to as Houston's "Hometown Hero", and from 2008 onwards, July 22 has officially been recognised as "Trae Day" in Houston.

Life and career

Trae tha Truth gained exposure on the Houston rap scene in 1998, when he made his rapping debut with a guest appearance on Z-Ro's album Look What You Did to Me. In 2003, he began his solo career with the album Losing Composure. 2004's Same Thing Different Day, 2006's Restless, and 2007's Life Goes On followed shortly after. Trae Tha Truth has also worked relentlessly with fellow Houston rapper Chamillionaire on his various Mixtape Messiah series.

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Trae Tha Truth was involved in a fight with Texas rapper Mike Jones at the 2008 Ozone Awards. It was recently suspected that Trae Tha Truth's music was banned from Houston's local radio Station, 97.9 The Boxx.

After creating a buzz for himself, T.I. announced that he had signed Trae Tha Truth to Grand Hustle Records on March 1, 2012. On October 9, 2012, Trae was featured on the annual BET Hip Hop Awards cypher, alongside his Grand Hustle label-mates Iggy Azalea, B.o.B, Chip and T.I. His first Grand Hustle album, then-titled Banned, was scheduled to be released in 2014. However, prior to that he was involved in the recording process for the Grand Hustle Records compilation album. His Grand Hustle Records debut titled Tha Truth was released on July 24, 2015.

Honors

In 2008, Trae Tha Truth was awarded by the mayor of Houston, Bill White, and Council Member Peter Brown with his own day, Trae Day, in honor of his outstanding work within the community. This is the first time the honor has been extended to a rap artist. Trae Day is celebrated every year on July 22.

On May 23, 2021, Trae received the Change Maker Award at that year's Billboard Music Awards. The award, according to Billboard, pays tribute to "the artist or group that speaks truth to power through their music, celebrity, and community. They are socially conscious, politically aware, active in their community and charitable with time, money and/or influence to improve the lives of others."

Philanthropy

During Hurricane Harvey in September 2017 Trae and his friends, dubbed the "Relief Gang", spent a full day driving trucks and SUVs around the Houston area helping get residents to safety. They worked in Beaumont, Winnie, Kingwood, and Cleveland Texas - all areas where flooding was severe.

In October 2017, Trae hosted a fundraiser for a Houston area grandma attacked and carjacked at a gas station.

In late 2020, Trae and his non-profit organization Relief Gang handed out clothing including jackets and face masks for the homeless.

Shooting

On June 20, 2012, Trae tha Truth was shot in the shoulder following a performance at an afterhours club located at 9850 Westpark Drive, Houston, TX. His friend, Carlos Durell "Dinky D" Dorsey, died at the scene along with 30-year-old Erica Rochelle Dotson and the intended target, Coy "Poppa C" Thompson (not related to Trae). There were around 20 gunshots fired. In a December 2012 interview with MTV, Trae said that he had been left lying and bleeding at the hospital for hours after being brought in. He went on to say that he "didn't get no bandage, I ain't get no stitches, they didn't take the bullet out, none of that."

On July 4, 2012, it was reported that a suspect, Feanyichi Ezekwesi Uvukansi, had been arrested and charged with capital murder for the shooting. He was later convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life without parole.

On November 25, 2013, Trae released a mixtape titled I Am King, as a tribute to Dominic "Money Clip D" Brown.

On January 18, 2017, Trae uploaded a video to Instagram showing himself pushing the bullet out of his shoulder.

Discography

Studio albums
  • Losing Composure (2003)
  • Same Thing Different Day (2004)
  • Restless (2006)
  • Life Goes On (2007)
  • The Beginning (2008)
  • Street King (2011)
  • Tha Truth (2015)
  • Tha Truth, Pt. 2 (2016)
  • The Truth, Pt. 3 (2017)
  • Hometown Hero (2018)
  • Exhale (2019)
  • Truth Season: The United Streets of America (2022)
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