Trae

The career of prolific south Houston-based MC Trae began with a guest appearance on Z-Ro's Look What You Did to Me and took root in Guerilla Maab, a group that released several albums during the late '90s and early 2000s. Through a series of solo albums -- such as 2003's Losing Composure, 2004's Same Thing Different Day, and 2006's Drama -- he further established his status as a lyricist who focuses more on the streets than wealth. In addition to being a member of Screwed Up Click, he has also released a pile of mixtapes that have surfaced outside his region. Restless, another 2006 release, was picked up by J. Prince's Rap-A-Lot label -- and therefore the Warner-affiliated Asylum -- for nationwide distribution. ~ Andy Kellman