As the East Coast-West Coast hip-hop rivalry of the mid 1990’s came to a close, new hip-hop scenes began gaining mainstream exposure across the map. By the mid-2000’s, the Southern rap scene - spearheaded by artists like Rick Ross from Miami and Young Jeezy from Atlanta - began making national hits while still staying true to the unique sound of their region. Of the regional rap scenes to emerge into the spotlight during this time, the Houston, Texas scene is one of the largest and most diverse.

While artists like Paul Wall and Mike Jones have risen to become some of the most well known Houston rappers, every scene has its old guard. The wiser, grittier rappers who talk less about diamonds and more about the reality of street life. This is what Trae "Tha Truth" is all about. A native to the rough streets of Houston’s South side, Trae began focusing on his music as a teenager after receiving a second chance - after being convicted of robbery he could have gone to jail for 40 years, but the judge instead decided to give the young rapper 2 years probation. He made his first musical appearance on a Houston mixtape only weeks after his sentence, and has kept his focus on rapping ever since.

Trae’s solo career began in 2003, when he released his debut album "Losing Composure" on local label G-Maab. His intelligent lyrics and uniquely deep, guttural voice gained him a following in the Houston scene, and he quickly followed up with 2004’s "Same Thing Different Day", another offering on G-Maab.

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