Obie Trice has been waiting in the wings as an artist on Eminem’s Shady Records imprint for a few years now. Reportedly signed after spitting for Mr. Mathers through his car window, Obie has popped up on several mixtapes, D-12’s debut release, and the 8 Mile Soundtrack. All of his appearances have served to build considerable buzz for the Detroit MC, who could obviously rhyme (see mixtape joint "Welcome to Detroit"), but hadn’t proven he could carry an entire album. With Cheers, an endeavor produced by Eminem, Dr. Dre, and Timbaland, Obie demonstrates he can rock the mic (mostly) alone, and does so in a decidedly more positive light that his nihilistic labelmates.

Album opener "Average Man" is Obie’s self- portrait of sorts, a contradictory track on which he dismisses notions of gangsterism while simultaneously promising hot lead retribution for those who test him. "It’s not an act/ This is fact/ This how I’m programmed/ This is me, what I’m about, this who I am!" goes the song’s defiant finish, and the tone of the record is set. Obie is who he is, take it or leave it.

For much of the album,, Obie likes to talk about the ladies. "Lady," "Hands On You," "Hoodrats," and "Bad Bitch" all deal with the women in his life. "Bad Bitch" is easily the best of these, with Timbaland’s usual sparkling electro-funk serving as the perfect counterpoint to Obie’s terse cadence. Other songs address his hustling past, such as the bleak "Follow My Life" and the somber Dre-produced "Look In My Eyes."

Obie also establishes himself as the Shady Records’ antithesis of Eminem. He acknowledges the pain he caused his mother while he was hustling. "Don’t Come Down" is a combined tribute and heartfelt apology to her: "Mrs. Eleanor Trice, I put no one above you," and on each chorus we hear Obie’s rueful "I’m sorry." He’s truly cleaning out his closet.

One issue, though. Eminem appears on four tracks here, and for most of his time on the mic, he clearly outshines his protégé. Obie’s a gifted rhymer, but he doesn’t have the skills yet to keep up with Em at the top of his game. The focus should be on the new artist, not the established superstar. However, business is business, and the more song titles that people see the magic words "Feat. Eminem" next to, the more people buy the record.

Obie Trice knows there’s a lot of pressure on him. Label-mate 50 Cent has the best selling record of the year. His boss is the biggest selling artist of the past few years. He doesn’t need to worry about platinum- he’ll get there. After Cheers, everyone will know his name.

Tom Donnelly is 26 years old and currently resides in Boston. He owns approximately 1,200 records, CDs, and tapes collectively. He drinks Coors Light and Corona beer and Stolichnaya vodka, and uses only Fender pens and Marshall pads. His Wu-Tang name is Respected Samurai. He's hot, cool and vicious, his rhymes are delicious, and he's got mad skills like Nomar, but he isn't superstitious. Tom is currently working on a history of self-written profiles. Write to Donnellt@bsci.com