Oddisee in DC

The background of any performer, but specifically in the realm of hip hop, is tantamount to understanding the individual’s work. And considering the fact that Oddisee is nothing but in touch with his familial roots in Sudan, looking at the situation there can lend some important insight into how this Maryland/DC based emcee and producer perceives the world. The tribal and territorial problems that have arisen – and don’t seem to be nearing a resolution – lends Oddisee the ability to examine situations through the guise of a nation’s internal strife. Not to say that the problems in the Sudan and the States are all too similar, but most situations can be simplified to reveal that both sides are right and both sides are wrong. Unfortunately, it’s a bit difficult to explain that to the interested parties.

This type of over politicism, though, is largely absent from most of Oddiseeâ??s work. However, the concepts of truth and a general acceptance of cultural norms does get at least a cursory examination from the emcee. But, lyrics arenâ??t Oddiseeâ??s only focus. His production credits are as impressive and extensive as his rhyming.

Being represented on the 2004 Halftooth label round-up You Donâ??t Know the Half, this disc exposed the producer to a (somewhat) wider audience. He makes appearances on either side of the boards and on â??Yes Yâ??allâ? brings together his disparate talents. While that didnâ??t garner the attention that it deserved, it did allow Oddisee to work out a good portion of the tracks on that disc, make various contacts through the label and work with a wide array of performers. The fact that he also comes away from the disc being the most dominant force represented within probably hasnâ??t hurt matters too much either.

Subsequent to that compilation, Oddisee continued working and earned the opportunity to put in time with the Philly stalwart DJ Jazzy Jeff. On JJâ??s Magnificent, Oddisee was able to perform on â??Musik Lounge,â? again raising his visibility and having his name spread around via Rapster Records.

More recently, Oâ??s been guesting on tracks and to good affect on Januaryâ??s release of Printâ??s Superfriends. On the extended track, fans get to hear him approximate the personality of a superhero. All of this, though, is only leading up to Oddiseeâ??s forthcoming compilation Mental Liberation.

A few tracks from this as of yet unreleased disc have made the rounds at 2dopeboyz and the like, but judging by all those comments dropped over there, a market certainly exists for a proper release. There can only be guesses at whatâ??s taken this future giant of the genre this long to get another release out, but the fact that he does it all himself might have something to do with it. With that as a consideration, one would assume, purely from the perspective of a fan, that with all the folks that Oddiseeâ??s worked with in the past, it wouldnâ??t be all too difficult to round up some contributors. But maybe 2009 is the year â?? after all, weâ??ve just seen a full length from DOOM.