{{Short description|American rapper (born 1980)}} {{Use American English|date=November 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Trae tha Truth | image = Trae tha Truth at Essence Festival of Culture July 2025 (cropped) (cropped).jpg | caption = Trae tha Truth in 2025 | birth_name = Frazier Othel Thompson III | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1980|7|3}} | birth_place = Houston, Texas, U.S. | alias = {{hlist|Trae|King Truth}} | occupation = {{hlist|Rapper|songwriter|record executive}} | years_active = 1998–present | works = Discography | genre = Southern hip-hop | label = {{hlist|G-Maab|ABN|Rap-A-Lot|Asylum|Fontana|Grand Hustle|Empire}} | current_member_of = {{hlist|ABN|Hustle Gang}} {{Infobox person | child = yes | children = 2 | website = }} }} thumb|Trae tha Truth in 2005 thumb|right|Trae tha Truth in 2008
'''Frazier Othel Thompson III''' (born July 3, 1980), known professionally as '''Trae tha Truth''' (shortened to '''Trae'''), is an American rapper. He first gained recognition with his guest appearance on fellow Houston rapper Z-Ro's album, ''Look What You Did to Me'' (1998).<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vine |first=Katy |date=2021-03-10 |title=The Relief Gang Never Stops |url=https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/houston-relief-gang/ |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20240812080923/https://www.texasmonthly.com/arts-entertainment/houston-relief-gang/ |archive-date=2024-08-12 |access-date=2025-07-19 |work=Texas Monthly |language=en-US}}</ref> After two self-released albums, he further established himself with his third album and major label debut, ''Restless'' (2006), which entered the ''Billboard'' 200, along with his collaborative album as part of the duo Assholes by Nature (ABN), ''It Is What It Is'' (2008).<ref>{{cite web|url={{AllMusic|class=album|id=r1400906/credits|pure_url=yes}}|title=Credits ''It Is What It Is''|publisher=Allmusic|accessdate=30 January 2010}}</ref>
Thompson has released 11 solo studio albums, as well as 26 mixtapes and two projects as part of ABN, with Z-Ro. He is also known for his "I'm On" series of singles, which have featured several prominent rappers since its first installment in 2011. He signed with fellow Southern rapper T.I.'s Grand Hustle Records in 2012, and was named the label's vice president (VP) in 2017.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2017/02/ti-trae-truth-grand-hustle-vp/|title = T.I. Appoints Trae Tha Truth to Vice President of Grand Hustle Records (Video)|date = February 5, 2017}}</ref>
==Life and career== ===1990s and 2000s=== 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''.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.last.fm/group/Assholes+By+Nature|title=Assholes By Nature|date=November 19, 2008|work=Last.fm|access-date=September 9, 2010|archive-date=January 12, 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100112111046/http://www.last.fm/group/Assholes+By+Nature|url-status=dead}}</ref> 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. He also collaborated with Z-Ro to form the duo ABN, or Assholes by Nature. They have released two albums, Assholes by Nature (2003) and It Is What It Is (2008).
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.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.houstonpress.com/music/on-trae-day-no-8-a-rapper-at-the-center-of-his-community-7611172|title=On Trae Day No. 8, a Rapper at the Center of His Community|last=Caldwell|first=Brandon|date=July 22, 2015|access-date=July 29, 2016}}</ref> This is the first time the honor has been extended to a rap artist. Trae Day is celebrated every year on July 22.
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.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://hiphopwired.com/13723/trae-da-truth-banned-from-houston-radio/ |title=Hip Hop News > HipHopWaired.com |publisher=Hiphopwired.com |date=October 28, 2009 |access-date=June 20, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091102020512/http://hiphopwired.com/13723/trae-da-truth-banned-from-houston-radio/ |archive-date=November 2, 2009 }}</ref>
Trae Tha Truth hosted the second annual Trae Day in July 22, 2009, near Texas Southern University. After the event had ended, eight people, ranging in age from 14 to 21, were shot near a parking garage located on the Texas Southern University campus.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.houstontx.gov/police/nr/2009/jul/nr072309-2.htm|title=Houston Police Department -- News Releases|website=www.houstontx.gov|access-date=April 15, 2018}}</ref> One of several people charged with shooting into the crowd was Sauce Walka.<ref>{{Cite news |author=<!-- not stated --> |title=Six more suspects charged in shooting on Texas Southern University campus |date=August 20, 2009 |url=https://abc13.com/archive/6972297/ |access-date=2025-04-20 |work=ABC13 |location=Houston, Texas |language=en}}</ref> When he explained to the morning crew at radio station KBXX "97.9 The Box" that he did not condone the shooting, he was accused by one of the personalities of being responsible for the violence ''per'' the lyrical content. When Trae Tha Truth retaliated against her on a mixtape, KBXX banned Trae Tha Truth's music and contributed music from the station and ordered their personalities not to play his music. It caused backlash in the music community, as several DJs at KBXX were terminated from their positions due to playing songs that featured Trae.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://austinsurreal.blogspot.com/2010/04/open-letter-to-979-box-from-matt.html |title=AustinSurreal: An Open Letter to 97.9 The BoxFrom Matt Sonzala |publisher=Austinsurreal.blogspot.com |date=April 22, 2010 |access-date=June 20, 2012}}</ref> Due to his inability and hindrance from being able to promote his music in Houston as a result, Trae filed a lawsuit against KBXX early in 2010, citing damages to his career.<ref>{{cite news|author=Shea Serrano |url=http://www.houstonpress.com/2010-06-24/music/out-of-the-box/ |title=Out of the Box - Page 1 - Music - Houston |newspaper=Houston Press |date=June 23, 2010 |access-date=June 20, 2012}}</ref>
===2010s=== 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.<ref name="cypher">{{cite web | url=http://www.bet.com/video/hiphopawards/2012/cypher/the-grand-hustle-cypher.html | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012010412/http://www.bet.com/video/hiphopawards/2012/cypher/the-grand-hustle-cypher.html | url-status=dead | archive-date=October 12, 2012 | title=HIP HOP AWARDS EXCLUSIVES: THE GRAND HUSTLE CYPHER | publisher=Black Entertainment Television LLC | work=BET | date=October 9, 2012 | access-date=April 9, 2013}}</ref> His first Grand Hustle album, then-titled ''Banned'', was scheduled to be released in 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3SbJQV2shw |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211219/p3SbJQV2shw |archive-date=2021-12-19 |url-status=live|title=#YESTour - EXCLUSIVE Trae Tha Truth Announces New Album "Banned" At TI's video shoot|work=YouTube|date=February 28, 2013 |access-date=November 8, 2014}}{{cbignore}}</ref> However, prior to that, he was involved in the recording process for the Grand Hustle Records compilation album.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.26380/title.trae-the-truth-addresses-radio-ban-details-i-am-king-mixtape|title=Trae The Truth Addresses Radio Ban, Details "I Am King" Mixtape|author=HipHopDX|work=HipHopDX|date=November 24, 2013|access-date=November 8, 2014}}</ref> His Grand Hustle Records debut titled ''Tha Truth'' was released on July 24, 2015.
On June 20, 2012, at about 3am, Trae tha Truth was shot in the shoulder following a performance at an afterhours club located at 9850 Westpark Drive in Houston.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.houstontx.gov/police/nr/2012/jun/nr062112-2.htm|title=Investigation into Fatal Shooting at 9850 Westpark Drive|website=www.houstontx.gov|access-date=April 15, 2018}}</ref> 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). A man named Willie Wilkins was also wounded.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Rogers |first=Brian |date=2012-07-06 |title=Gang rivalry alleged in club killings |url=https://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/gang-rivalry-alleged-in-club-killings-3687154.php |access-date=2025-01-16 |website=Chron |language=en}}</ref> There were around 20 gunshots fired.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.click2houston.com/news/5-shot-3-killed-in-club-shooting/-/1735978/15169196/-/u0epps/-/index.html |title=5 shot, 3 killed, in club shooting | News - Home |publisher=Click2houston.com |access-date=June 20, 2012 |archive-date=June 22, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120622012535/http://www.click2houston.com/news/5-shot-3-killed-in-club-shooting/-/1735978/15169196/-/u0epps/-/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.houstontx.gov/police/nr/2012/jun/nr062112-2.htm|title=Investigation into Fatal Shooting at 9850 Westpark Drive|access-date=November 8, 2014}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hiphopdx.com/index/news/id.22306/title.trae-tha-truth-describes-hospitalization-after-june-20-shooting|title=Trae Tha Truth Describes Hospitalization After June 20 Shooting|author=HipHopDX|work=HipHopDX|date=December 22, 2012|access-date=November 8, 2014}}</ref>
On July 4, 2012, it was reported that a suspect, 24-year-old Feanyichi Ezekwesi Uvukansi, had been arrested and charged with capital murder for the shooting.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.click2houston.com/news/Man-arrested-in-triple-killing-after-concert/-/1735978/15404470/-/3bo6a5/-/index.html |title=Man arrested in triple killing after concert | News - Home |publisher=Click2houston.com |access-date=July 4, 2012 |archive-date=July 6, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120706104105/http://www.click2houston.com/news/Man-arrested-in-triple-killing-after-concert/-/1735978/15404470/-/3bo6a5/-/index.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.khou.com/news/crime/Man-arrested-in-connection-with-deadly-shooting-involving-Trae-Tha-Truth---161373825.html |title=Man arrested in connection with shooting involving Houston rapper Trae Tha Truth | khou.com Houston |access-date=October 10, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120906064551/http://www.khou.com/news/crime/Man-arrested-in-connection-with-deadly-shooting-involving-Trae-Tha-Truth---161373825.html |archive-date=September 6, 2012 }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vibe.com/article/suspect-arrested-trae-tha-truth-shooting|title=Suspect Arrested in Trae Tha Truth Shooting|access-date=November 8, 2014}}</ref> He was later convicted of capital murder and sentenced to life without parole.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://offender.tdcj.texas.gov/OffenderSearch/offenderDetail.action?sid=06663916|title=Texas Department of Criminal Justice Offender Search|website=offender.tdcj.texas.gov|access-date=April 15, 2018}}</ref>
On November 25, 2013, Trae released a mixtape titled ''I Am King'' as a tribute to Dominic "Money Clip D" Brown.<ref>MTV News [https://web.archive.org/web/20150530040558/http://www.mtv.com/news/1718099/trae-tha-truth-i-am-king-mixtape/ Trae Tha Truth Drops 'Bittersweet' I Am King Mixtape With A Heavy Heart. MC talks to MTV News about releasing his mixtape two years after the death of his best friend and 'brother' Dominic 'Money Clip D' Brown.] by Rob Markman November 25, 2013</ref><ref>XXL Mag December 4, 2013 [http://www.xxlmag.com/rap-music/reviews/2013/12/trae-tha-truth-i-am-king-review/ Trae Tha Truth Pours His Heart Out On 'I Am King' Mixtape]</ref><ref>BET / Black Entertainment Television LLC [https://www.bet.com/article/tux0r5/mixtape-review-trae-tha-truth-i-am-king Mixtape Review: Trae Tha Truth, I Am King] Underground MC goes mainstream on latest mixtape. By Jake Rohn: November 26, 2013</ref>
On January 18, 2017, Trae uploaded a video to Instagram showing himself pushing the bullet out of his shoulder.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.instagram.com/p/BPalpGbg519/ |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/BPalpGbg519 |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |url-access=registration|title=Instagram video by @traeabn • Jan 18, 2017 at 6:16pm UTC|website=Instagram|language=en|access-date=January 22, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>{{primary source inline|date=March 2022}}
During Hurricane Harvey in September 2017, Trae worked as part of his non-profit, the Relief Gang, spending a full day assisting area residents caught in heavy flooding.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://texasislife.com/texans/houston-rapper-trae-tha-truth-spent-all-day-helping-people-trapped-in-flooding/|title=Houston Rapper Trae Tha Truth spent all day helping people trapped in flooding|website=texasislife.com|date=September 20, 2019|access-date=February 13, 2020}}</ref>
In October 2017, Trae hosted a fundraiser for a Houston-area grandma attacked and carjacked at a gas station.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://abc13.com/trae-tha-truth-helps-grandma-attacked-by-carjackers/5609207/|title=Trae Tha Truth helps grandma attacked by carjackers|website=abc13.com|date=October 10, 2019|access-date=February 13, 2020}}</ref> 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."<ref>{{Cite magazine|title=Trae Tha Truth to Receive Change Maker Award at 2021 Billboard Music Awards: 'It's Not In Me to Stop'|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/awards/9570944/trae-tha-truth-2021-billboard-music-awards-change-maker-award-interview|access-date=May 13, 2021|magazine=Billboard|language=en}}</ref>
===2020s=== On July 15, 2020, Trae was among 87 people arrested in a Breonna Taylor protest in Louisville, Kentucky.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.chron.com/sports/texans/article/Kenny-Stills-Trae-Tha-Truth-arrest-Breonna-Taylor-15410360.php|title=Texans' Kenny Stills, Trae Tha Truth arrested in Breonna Taylor protest in Louisville|newspaper=Chron |date=July 15, 2020|access-date=July 15, 2020 |last1=Young |first1=Matt }}</ref>
In late 2020, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Trae and his non-profit organization Relief Gang handed out clothing, including jackets and face masks, for the homeless.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://news.yahoo.com/rapper-trae-tha-truth-gives-222331773.html|title = Rapper Trae Tha Truth gives back to homeless after Thanksgiving| work=Yahoo News | date=December 20, 2020 }}</ref>
On September 2, 2022, a viral video obtained by TMZ,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Trae Tha Truth Jumped Z-Ro During 50 Cent Tycoon Weekend, New Footage Shows |url=https://www.tmz.com/2022/09/02/trae-tha-truth-z-ro-fight-video-50-cent-houston/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=TMZ |date=September 2, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> shows Trae attacking Z-Ro with the rest of his crew, during 50 Cent’s TYCOON weekend.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://parlemag.com/2022/09/new-fight-footage-shows-trae-tha-truth-assisted-in-z-ros-attack/ |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=parlemag.com|title=New Fight Footage Shows Trae Tha Truth Assisted in Z-Ro's Attack |date=September 3, 2022 }}</ref>
Thompson's daughter, named Truth, was missing for several months after being abducted by her mother, Heather Cuevas, during a visitation in August 2024. After a concerted search effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies and a private investigator, Truth was found safe near the Mexican border in El Centro, California, on New Year's Day. Her mother, Cuevas, was arrested on child endangerment charges related to the missing minor. Thompson was reunited with his daughter shortly after.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jackson |first=Panama |date=2025-01-07 |title=Trae the Truth's New Year miracle: The rapper speaks on being reunited with his missing daughter after months of heartbreak |url=https://thegrio.com/2025/01/07/trae-the-truths-new-year-miracle-the-rapper-speaks-on-being-reunited-with-his-missing-daughter-after-months-of-heartbreak/ |access-date=2025-07-19 |website=TheGrio |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=INTERVIEW: Trae tha Truth On New Album 'Angel,' Reuniting With His Daughter {{!}} K97 |url=https://k97fm.iheart.com/featured/breakfast-club/content/2025-07-03-51-the-breakfast-club-interview-trae-tha-truth-on-new-album-angel-reuniting/ |access-date=2025-07-19 |website=The Breakfast Club |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Trae Tha Truth Speaks on The Pain of His Daughter's Kidnapping, Forgiveness, Giving Back + Trae Day - The Danza Project |url=https://poddtoppen.se/podcast/1589903058/the-danza-project/trae-tha-truth-speaks-on-the-pain-of-his-daughters-kidnapping-forgiveness-giving-back-trae-day |access-date=2025-07-19 |website=Poddtoppen |language=sv}}</ref>
==Discography== {{Main|Trae tha Truth 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) *''Stuck in Motion'' (2023) *''Crowd Control'' (2024) *''Angel'' (2025)
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Trae|Trae tha Truth}} *[https://web.archive.org/web/20220108001942/http://www.iamtrae.com/ Archived webpage at iamtrae.com] {{Trae tha Truth}} {{Grand Hustle Records}} {{Screwed Up Click}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Trae the Truth}} Category:1980 births Category:Living people Category:21st-century African-American male rappers Category:21st-century American male rappers Category:20th-century American male rappers Category:20th-century American rappers Category:African-American songwriters Category:Gangsta rappers Category:Grand Hustle Records artists Category:Rappers from Houston Category:Songwriters from Texas Category:Screwed Up Click members Category:21st-century American rappers Category:21st-century American philanthropists Category:Hip-hop activists Category:American music industry executives Category:21st-century African-American rappers Category:20th-century African-American musicians Category:American male songwriters