Trae first 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. 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 has also worked relentlessly with fellow Houston rapper Chamillionaire on his various Mixtape Messiah series.
Trae was involved in a scuffle with fellow Texas rapper Mike Jones at the 2008 Ozone Awards. Both later apologized for the incident. It was recently suspected that Trae's music was banned from Houston's local radio Station, 97.9 The Boxx.