This week, I have the sincere pleasure of reviewing an album from one of the most underrated rap veterans in the industry. Obie Trice seemed to have completely fallen off the radar after going quiet for six years since he released his last album Second Round's On Me back in 2006. Apart from a side compilation project with Canadian hip-hop producer MoSS that he released in 2009, rap fans have been left wondering for years if the talented MC would ever come back. Finally, after several delays, the Detroit native is set to release his third studio album, Bottoms Up, on April 3 and ease the pain that fans have been suffering for half a dozen years. Among a select few, Trice has always been an epitomic symbol of east coast rap. His flow, clean delivery and lyrical quality made him a staple in the rap industry.

Bottoms Up contains a modest 16-track set and is being released by his self-started Black Market Entertainment record company under Universal. This will mark Trice's first studio album not to be released by Detroit counterpart and close friend Eminem's Shady label. Thankfully, Trice left on good terms with Em; he is featured on two of the tracks and produced one himself.

“Richard” is one of the singles of the album and features the aforementioned Eminem. The song is produced by one of the most underrated hip-hop producers in Statik Selektah, and he delivers a unique yet unusual beat that is quite busy but not overdone. The lyrics are exactly what you would have imagined from two monsters of word play. Trice and Em are a timeless combo that reinforce every time they rap the way it should be done. The track is my favourite on the record.

“Bottoms Up (Intro)” is the first song on the album. I don't usually include the introductory song in my three-song wrap up, as they usually serve as a mere quick tease of what the rest of the album will offer. Here, it would be a shame if I didn't. Dr. Dre produces the song, and the beat is too good. The instrumental is a classic Dre production that features an assertive bass coupled with piano that I just can't get enough of. I don't think I've ever heard a track produced by Dre that I haven't salivated over. As the intro song, Trice thanked all those who made the album possible, while tearing it up lyrically like he always does.

“Spend the Day” is produced by NoSpeakerz, who also works on four other songs on the album, and features singer Drey Skonie. All of the tracks produced by NoSpeakerz on the record are excellent, but this one in particular is fresh. The song features background guitar that sets the melody, multiple trumpets, as well as a deep bass that goes like peanut butter and jam with Skionie's incredible voice. Trice takes a little bit of a break in his bars, but on this one it's okay. The song is highlighted by the beat and chorus, and it shouldn't be ruined with Trice's usual intensity.

Honourable mentions include “I Pretend,” “Going Nowhere” and “Lebron On.”

Trice doesn't know anything other than rap perfection. He is one of the very few MCs in today's rap industry that maintains a consistent high lyrical standard. He may have gone missing in action for a few years, but Bottoms Up is a perfect reminder to those that have forgotten how good he is. It was a miserable wait that had many of us give up all hope of ever hearing from him again, but if it takes six years for Trice to release a record like this, then I will be waiting patiently until 2018 for his next one.

Rating: 4 out of 5