The Black Opera‘s track “Queen of Hearts” was without question the jewel of their recent Libretto: Of King Legend album. With its’ string filled production and beautifully sung hook (courtesy of Mayer Hawthorne), the track received many a replay from me. All this didn’t stop TBO’s MMG labelmate Oddisee from reworking the song. Sprinkling a little bit of DMV flavor to it, check out the direction Oddisee takes the song with the remix, below. Libretto: Of King Legend is out now, look for a new EP from the crew coming soon.

The post The Black Opera “Queen of Hearts (Oddisee Remix)” f/ Mayer Hawthorne appeared first on Okayplayer.

Another stellar edition of the homie TONE‘s in-house concert series, Live At The Loft. Sadly, I wasn’t on hand for this one, as it looks like it was a great show. DMV representer Oddisee comes through with his band Mammoth and shuts shit down with this live rendition of “Ready to Rock.” Peter Rosenberg was the host for the evening with OKP favorites MeLo-X and Jasmine Solano handling turn table duties. Video produced, directed and edited by TONE. For more of that good ish, pick up Oddisee’s LP, People Hear What They See, via iTunes.

#23 Oddisee from LIVE AT THE LOFT on Vimeo.

The post Live At The Loft – Oddisee “Ready To Rock” appeared first on Okayplayer.

Detroit lyricist, Journalist 103 (of The Left fame), is stepping away from the group thing for a minute to focus on his solo debut album. Following up on The Left’s critically acclaimed LP, Gas Mask, Journalist 103 is set to release his LP, Reporting Live, on October 30th via Babygrande Records. Take a walk with 103 on his first single as he paints a vivid picture of his home town while Oddisee provides the backdrop, OKP premiere below. Other features on Reporting Live include Freeway, Fashawn, and Saigon (pre-order it here).

The post Audio Premiere: Journalist 103 “Walk With Me (prod. Oddisee)” appeared first on Okayplayer.

Homeboy Sandman is a man of many skills, food truck worker, bike shop employee, Ice cream man, and barber apparently. But his finest trade of all is lyricist, watch him show and prove over Oddisee‘s production in the video for “Whatchu Want From Me?” Video directed by Aaronisnotcool & Pace Rivers. First of A Living Breed is out now.

The post Video: Homeboy Sandman “Whatchu Want From Me? (prod. Oddisee)” appeared first on Okayplayer.

Oddisee definitely dropped an album of the year nominee with his most recent release, People Hear What They See, but he’s not just sitting on it as he hits us with some new ish as well as info on his upcoming tour, today. To fully capture the live sound of the LP, Oddisee will be setting out on tour with a band. Check the Euro dates above, and look for the U.S. dates to come soon (a few already posted on his site). To give you a sample of what’s to come on tour, check Oddisee performing his album cut “Let It Go” live at The Loft (shot by the homie TONE). And as an added bonus, we have this new banger from Oddisee for y’al, “From Largo with Love.”

>>>Download

The post Audio/Video: Oddisee “From Largo with Love” + “Let It Go” Live At The Loft appeared first on Okayplayer.

I don’t know if there’s an album coming out this fall I’m more hyped for than Homeboy Sandman‘s Stones Throw debut LP, First of A Living Breed. I remember Boy Sand playing this song for me a few months back on his iPod, his witty lyricism was clear but Oddisee’s sharp production really shines when you bump this one on real speakers. First of A Living Breed is set to drop on September 18th. Catch Boy Sand on tour with Brother Ali this fall and head to ST to hear some more snippets off the LP.

>>>Download

The post Audio: Homeboy Sandman “Watchu Want From Me? (prod. Oddisee)” appeared first on Okayplayer.

Those beats on 14KT‘s instrumental LP, A Friendly Game of KT, were way too hard to not have some rappers go in on them, so it was only a matter of time before this happened. KT will be dropping a 4-track EP featuring vocal versions of some of the tracks off the full album via Mello Music Group. Listen to the first leak below, “High Horse,” featuring MMG mainstays Oddisee and Olivier Daysoul. Look for that EP to drop soon.

>>>Download via bandcamp

The post Audio: 14KT “High Horse” feat. Oddisee & Olivier Daysoul appeared first on Okayplayer.

Oddisee has been a mainstay in rap’s working class for about a decade now, steadily accumulating a loyal fan-base that will surely continue to support him. He shares that middle-ground with other mad-nice-but-under-appreciated cats like Consequence, Masta Ace, and a slew of others. These are rappers who, without question, possess a higher degree of lyrical prowess than most. If widespread recognition has largely evaded them, they hold steadfast in rap’s trenches, giving depth to a genre that is so often criticized for its lack thereof.

People Hear paints a self-portrait of an MC who is still striving toward greatness, and avoids coming off as a disheartened lament or diatribe railing against the injustice of it all. Perhaps this is owing to Oddisee’s grace on the mic; indeed, he’s the kind of rapper who sounds like he could speak in rhyme in his everyday interactions. Put differently, dude has better things to rap about than whining about other rappers. His grace on the mic, combined with his ability to relate to his listeners lyrically with original topics, make him a uniquely engaging presence.

He skillfully intertwines his own life and perspective with his surroundings on every track. (And isn’t that the essence of being a great lyricist, really?)  On “American Greed,” he begins, “When George Bush took the oil from the soil / I was in front of the counter buying some milk from the A-rabs.” He goes on to give a scathing critique of economics fueled by greed, and the short-sighted pursuit of capital.

Even when he isn’t rapping about lofty subjects, Oddisee offers interesting viewpoints that are easy for listeners to buy into. Over a jolting stutter-step on “Think of Things,” he glosses over subjects with infectious nonchalance: “I could think of a few things: try and keep my levels of stress down / not get all worked up when I get let down / just keep my work up, prepared for the next round / work out… it’ll work out … flex now.”

Ultimately, People Hear What They See is a lesson in perseverance. Quality music and hard work will always win out, and Oddisee is here to prove it.

-Dylan Grier

The post Oddisee appeared first on Okayplayer.

I’ve heard nothing but well deserved high praise for Oddisee’s new LP, People Hear What They See, since its’ release. Today, the DMV emcee/producer hits us with the latest single, “The Need Superficial.” Oddisee speaks on the pitfalls of past relationships over some funky ass production. One of my favorite joints off the album (Google agrees). People Hear What They See is out now in digi, disc, and vinyl forms via Mello Music Group.

>>>Download via bandcamp

The post Audio: Oddisee “The Need Superficial” appeared first on Okayplayer.

If you were smart enough to take the time out to listen to Oddisee‘s new LP,People Hear What They See, a few weeks back when we posted it, then you’ve probably already purchased it by now (I know I did). As a nice little bonus (and further reminder to cop) Oddisee gives us this acoustic video of him and Olivier Daysoul giving a live rendition of track #11, “You Know Who You Are.” I love the original version, but this acoustic rendition really lets you focus in on Oddisee’s lyrics and the rich texture of Olivier’s voice, check it (and download it here). Video shot by TONE, and edited by Tom Gilfillan. People Hear What They See is now available in digital, CD, and vinyl format.

The post Video: Oddisee “You Know Who You Are (Acoustic)” feat. Olivier Daysoul appeared first on Okayplayer.