The Beginning - Trae

“The Beginning” is the fifth solo album by Houston rapper Trae, following his LP release “Life Goes On” (2007) and marks his third and final album for record label Rap-A-Lot-Records. The album features a number of artists including Z-Ro, Khujo Goodie, Paul Wall, Chris Ward, Dallas, Jayton and Lil-Boss.

Trae is a member of the underground rap group Screwed Up Click and, along with his cousins Z-Ro and Dougie D, he paints a darker picture of Houston streets than other H-Town rappers such as Mike Jones or Paul Wall. He is particularly renowned in Texas for his commitment to “The Truth”, and rejecting “bling bling” stories in lyrics.

In “The Beginning”, Trae takes us back to his roots as the title suggests, going through his struggles with lyrics that will make you feel the realities for many who are growing up in H-Town.

The main highlight is the track “Wake Up”, which features Slim Thug and Z-Ro. “Wake Up” is a typically serious track as Trae raps deep on the poor value for life “all the while we complain about our situation, when n**gas would rather lose they life than lose they reputation”. Then Z-Ro adds, “We kill each other so quick, and it’s a shame, but it’s the…truth”.

Slim Thug attacks the prevalence of drug deals and promotes honest earnings, rhyming “If it’s less than a g you’re making, you gotta really sit and think about the chance ya taking”. He adds, “Bring ten dollars home better than bringing none, at least you get to spend time with your daughter or son”.

In “Problem Pt 2” Trae shows his flow skill, allowing you to relax and enjoy the rhythm and harmony of his up tempo lyrics with a smooth melody and beat that slows for the chorus and will have you bumping again thereafter.

“White Bricks” is the concluding track of the album in which Trae is joined by Lil Boss as the pair rap about cocaine trafficking and the resultant threat of police, on top of a rhytmn that will make you feel slightly hypnotized.

“The Beginning” was released on October 14 (listen to it here) and if you’ve not listened to Trae or other members of Screwed Up Click previously, it will introduce you to the harsher side of Houston, and Trae’s lyrics returning to his truest self.

“The Beginning” track listing:

1. Watch Ova Momma 3:52
2. Problem Pt.2 5:20
3. Against The World 3:53
4. Don’t Pay Off 4:14
5. G Code 3:05
6. G Sh*t (feat. Khujo Goodie) 3:26
7. Hold On (feat. Paul Wall & Jay Ton) 3:45
8. Wake Up (feat. Z-Ro & Slim Thug) 3:44
9. My Life 3:20
10. I’d Rather Be (feat. Russell) 3:57
11. This Can’t Be Life (feat. Lil Boss & Dallas) 4:59
12. White Bricks (feat. Lil Boss) 3:22