Apollo Brown & O.C. – Trophies

    “Everybody want their trophy. What, is that supposed to tell me that you did something? I don’t need no goddamn trophy, or award, or recognition. I do this shit because I love to do this shit.” It is with this sentiment that Apollo Brown and O.C. chose to introduce their collaborative project, Trophies. With the tongue-in-cheek title in mind, Brown and O.C. go to work in a yeoman-like fashion.

    Apollo Brown lays down a rich bass line and minimal keys as O.C. introduces the listener to a day in the life on “The Pursuit.” The cut has a mix that’s a bit dirty in just the right way, and on O.C.’s end, it’s just as vintage—it’s pure spit; he doesn’t even concern himself with rhyming on many of the bars. Powerful strings meander in the background on “Nautica,” which puts O.C.’s craftsmanship on full display: “Blowing through the city / Category five…I shows no pity / Hurricane winds, churning up fear / Boarded up houses brace for what’s here / Hundred-twenty mile winds with strength and gusto / Battin’ down the hatches, askin’ ‘what in the fuck fo?’” O.C. weaves these incredible visual tales of apocalypse and doom by impressively occupying the ample space left between Apollo Brown’s staccato keys and sparse percussion. The song is also a perfect illustration of just how well Apollo Brown and O.C. work in concert.

    Certainly, Trophies isn’t without its flaws. The production on “The First” doesn’t seem to hit quite like it does on the rest of the album—the sample rings hollow, and is just too simple a loop. This is reflected in O.C.’s verses on the cut, which are less-than-inspired. It’s not glaringly bad, but is notably of lesser quality than much of the album On “People’s Champ,” the M.O.P. vocal samples don’t quite hit like one would hope, but otherwise, the cut succeeds by virtue of its sinister organs.

    Complaints are minimal, however. “The Formula” perfectly marries O.C.’s nostalgia with beautiful violins, but perhaps the aptly-titled “Fantastic” is the piéce de résistance. Serving as the album’s outro, “Fantastic” recalls the choices O.C. made in his career (“Could’ve easily adapted to trends, chasin’ them ends / Which is today’s cardinal sin, start of the end”) in sadly short fashion. Clocking at just over two minutes, it is easily the strongest offering Apollo Brown makes on the entire project, with lovely nuances evolving throughout, culminating in an appropriate Bloodrock vocal sample.

    As a whole, Trophies succeeds where albums by many ’90s vets fail. It’s made in the classic style that mashes the gritty and soulful, yet doesn’t sound dated. When you listen to O.C., he’s letting you know: “I’m from a place and time where this is how we rhymed, this is what we rhymed about, and this is how we get down.” But he’s aware that it’s 2012; that awareness allowed the two to record a project that recalls his roots, but applies them in a manner that is relevant today—both in terms of substance and execution.

    248 thoughts on “Apollo Brown & O.C. – Trophies

    1. It’s ok, 3 stars. It’s too monotone and the beats are a little bit too distracting for O.C.’s voice.

      1. For a moment there It almost seemed as If you were posting in the wrong album review cs.

      2. DK clearly prefers cookie cutter music, probably rocks skinny jeans and uses phrases like swag and no homo on the regular.

      3. What are you talking about, you faggot? Are I love O.C., bought Word…Life and Jewelz and and just got my copy of Trophies (Yeah right, I bought it compared to you faggots downloading it to act like a head on the net), I just think O wasn’t able to use his full potential on this one. Apollo Brown resembles 9th Wonder too much and recycled a few of the beats. Why is you clown obsessed with skinny jeans and shit and think as soon as somebody criticizes a underground project it means that they listen to mainstream trash instead? Idiot. I know for sure that most of you fucks who act hard on here didn’t buy the album.

      4. damn Dk u acting like u the only one buying albums and shit. and i could respect ur opinion and everything but the fact that ur calling this an underground project, to me, sounds a little weird.

    2. One MC/ One Producer / No Guests= LP of the year
      The chemistry is unbelievable,each song has a concept behind it…
      Hip Hop in its purest form!!!!

    3. Dk u have ur opinion,,,but i guess he should sound high
      Pitch like a meek mills or peedi crack thn huh?
      I guess guru bein monotone was curse !!! The ppl say
      Othawise bout the lp i guess its borin whn ur not killn
      Slangn or pokn sumthn lmao!!!!! The album is classic 5
      Star general material learn sumthin.

    4. Best MC/Producer album since Rashad & Confidence’s ‘Element Of Suprise’. Real Hip Hop right there!!!

    5. Classic case of 4.5/5 – great album, but not without flaws. Apollos drums are too monotonous and some cuts weaker than the rest. But even so, best album of 2012 till now, no doubt.

      1. Glad to hear people can criticize and recognize all at the same time. I can imagine I’ll still be letting this spin in a few years.

    6. Dope album! Apollo produces some smooth head nodding joints. OC flows with hunger. Support good hip hop, buy this album now. “Anotha One” is one of my favs, he’s reading my mind on that joint. As a matter of fact, I’m gonna roll me up some broccoli right about now, kick it and watch the C’s beat the Hawks.

    7. Nicki Minaj’s new record got 3 out of 5 and this CLASSIC LP can only manage a 4? I know the same person doesn’t do all of the reviews but I wish there was some consistency in the reviews. Makes it difficult to come to this site and take the reviews seriously. The gap between the Nicki record and this is significantly more than 1 star, I think most people could agree on that.

    8. This album wrecked it for everybody else! My favorite album thus far in 2012. Good to OC back spittin at his peak and this Apollo dude has beats.

    9. Typical overrated due to anti-mainstream sympathy. Sounds EXACTLY like all the other generous independent albums that were released in the past 2 years. I rather listen to the real classics of the 90’s (Word…Life included) and not dudes always trying to recreate the sound of Hip Hop’s golden age, but ten times worse. Innovation is where it’s at.

      1. Partly I would agree with you but not in the case of this album. This is one of the most refined and purest hip hop albums I have heard in a long time. It’s a brilliant take on a classic formula. This is the reason why I (and i’m sure plenty of others) fell in love with hip hop. Clever, down to earth rhymes over gritty and soulful beats.

    10. I have nothing bad to say about anything on the LP, this is why I fell in love with hip hop, OC comes better than ever and Apollo is my favourite up and coming producer. Can’t believe it’s only gotten 4 stars when the review was so positive.

    11. Instant classic. Believe the hype. OC hasn’t sounded this good since Word… Life (apart from that track on Marco Polo’s ‘Port Authority’.

    12. Nuthin tu do with it bein independant Hater!!
      Its ur choice tu listen or not othawise the ppl
      Have spoken,ur weak opinion’s “OVARULED”
      Trophies Wins!!!!! Lmao

      1. Hater? Your cocksucking mouth is the reason that good albums like Trophies are the exception in Hip Hop nowadays. Nothing to do with independent, yeah right. Say that shit to your imaginary friend, you fool. That’s why all the rappers why all those rappers who signed to a major get accused of selling-out.

    13. This review is wack. 4/5 and then it describes the album as mediocre. What the fuck is wrong with you—how could you listen to this album, write a review, and leave out any mention of “anotha one.” clearly one of the best cuts on the album. You say “the first” (when the track is actually called the “the first 48”) has a sample that “rings hollow”. Umm, when I heard the white room sample from cream I thought that was pretty damn original, no one else is even contemplating doing that kind of shit. don’t try to give it 4/5 stars and then give a shitty review that was done without any real effort. Do your homework dx

      1. U nailed it.. it thought the same shit when i ready that “the first” was a flaw on the album.. all i could think was did this motherfucker LISTEN to the words? the reviewer even said OC didn’t come as hard… REALLYY???? try again

      2. Vordul Mega-Opium Scripts(f. Billy Woods)
        a dope track from 08 using the same sample….

    14. This is, WITHOUT A DOUBT, the best album to be released so far this year. Apollo Brown is arguably one of the best producers in Hip-Hop right now; I mean every word of that. I haven’t heard a single throw-away beat from him yet. When you add OC to the mix, the results are beyond classic. This album easily deserves a perfect score.

    15. this album reaches the PINNACLE of HIP HOP.. this could rival GangStarr if Apollo and OC decide to continue working together. I love how theres no guest features its just ill beats and ill rhymes.

      5 STARS fuck this review. Im sorry i love Reks and Statik Selektah but they both got 4 stars and TROPHIES IS ON A WHOLE OTHER LEVEL!!!!!! the match just doesn’t work out

      1. Nah. Straight No Chaser is just as dope, just for Reks’ all time great delivery alone.

    16. Amazing piece of music. Just sad it took all this years for O.C. to get his recognition.

    17. 4 FCKN STARS?
      HAVE YOU GUYS EVEN LISTENED TO SOME OF THE LYRICS? DAMN! AND ISNT APOLLO A TOP 5 HIPHOP PRODUCER ATM IF NOT TOP 3 EVEN?
      FCK TAPDANCING MONKEYS! GROWN MAN RAP RIGHT HERE! CLASSIC ALBUM IMO.

      5 STARS!

      Oh and sorry bout the caps..

    18. This is a gad-damn 5 star album! Deaf ppl will even give this 5 stars. This is just refreshing, great to hear hip-hop of this quality these days. This review needs to be revised, giving this 4 stars is a sin!

    19. figures someone with a name like slava kuperstein can judge whts hiphop or dated or whteva his review is shit!!!!!!!!!!!!

    20. This was by far my most anticipated album for 2012. I almost think I overhyped myself for it. So here’s my rundown on the album. Overall it was almost exactly what I expected. It’s HIPHOP at it’s finest!
      Apollo: As one of my favorite up and coming producers I was a bit disappointed with the beat selection. The drum patterns sounded a bit similar on alot of the beats. Before anyone comes in here saying I’m hating or crazy I’m just being over critical. As fans of the culture we have the right to do so. WIth that being said, I still don’t think there is a weak beat on here, just wish it had a bit more variation as far as BPMs and drums
      O.C.: Came proper as he always does. I don’t have anything bad to say about one of the most under rated lyricists of all-time. When will this man get the recognition he deserves???? Been dope since Word….Life and is a veteran of the game and culture. Some of these new jacks could really learn a thing or two from Omar!

      Again, great album and it has been on spin cycle on every one of my audio devices since it dropped. I respect what both of these artists did for hiphop with this project! RESPECT GENTLEMEN

      Peace,

      MICrophone Tone

      follow me on twitter and FB @microphonetone
      NACHURAL DISASTER dropping soon

      1. Just wen I was about to experience the feeling with drums like you had, when I played the album for the 2nd time. Some of the hidden gems in O.C.’s lyrics came to my ear and it all didnt matter anymore.
        I got completely enthousiastic again lol.

        I think this is one of those albums that will grow on you even more when you listen to it. And I think I will listen to this album for a very very long time.

        Atm I cant imagine anyone/group bringin anything out that can possibly make me listen to this album less for years to come maybe.

      2. I agree that it gets better with each listen. I copped it on I-Tunes the first day it dropped and have been listening to it since. Definitely best album of 2012 so far!

    21. Okay, but kind of boring. Apollo’s production gets mad repetitive at times. I’d rather listen to “Jewelz!” with those iLL Premo beats!

      1. Agree about Apollo’s production. It’s dope, but I have a hard time listening to full albums worth of his beats because of the repetition. When he first got attention a couple years ago I had really high hopes for him, but he hasn’t progressed much.

      2. word. apollo is the downfall of this album. just blaze proved you can be mad diverse while being sonically cohesive.

      1. you bought one copy of their album and act like you saved the day. These niggas lucky if they sell 10,000 copies.

    22. Lyrically, O.C. still has it, but like always, the production largely lets him down. You can rep the underground and still look for blazing production. Maybe not the likes of Just Blaze, but this sleepy 1970’s bullshit production needs to go away. It does someone like O.C. no justice. Pay someone to lace you with aggressive beats.

    23. This album is worth every penny ppl r brainwashed tu bullshit
      everyone who has negative comments about this joint r programmed
      Tu garbage azz music …1970’s bullshit??? Kno ur past cause its the makes up for ur present dummies & judgin by this generation take on hip hop / Rap whteva u choose ta call it its on its last breath..

    24. What are some of you talking about? This album is nothing short of AMAZING! Of course, you always have those who refuse to give props where props are due, even when the people have spoken. If 99% of the world thinks this album in it’s entirety (production, rhymes, overall value) is classic, don’t you think there might be something wrong with you and your ear? Obviously. I’m afraid of the music you listen too, or what album this year you might think is better than this one, LOL. I guarantee the people will not agree. Apollo Brown is making classics, period. If you don’t like it, don’t listen. Very simple. Critics criticize because often times, they can’t do. 5 fuckin stars from me!!!

    25. If 99% of the world thinks this album in it’s entirety (production, rhymes, overall value) is classic”

      99% of the world didn’t buy this album when it came out. Nice stat though.

    26. “ppl r brainwashed”

      That must be it. Or… The people actually buying albums in today’s climate have by chance heard O.C. and just didn’t care for his music. That doesn’t make them brainwashed.

    27. Since yall base everything round popularity n sales fo all u
      Dudes who base sales n mixtapes an bein signed tu majors here’s
      A lil breakdown if undaground artist as ppl say sell 2 thousand digital times 9.99 thts 20 grand how many of yall make tht in a month? Trophies……lol nuff said

    28. O.C. still got heat. To me the beats are on point but O.C. is who sets this LP off. Every bar line for line this dude is spittin fire. O.C. go super hard!!! Next to Planet Asia’s “Black Belt Theater” this LP is solid for 2012.

    29. Shits dope. Everyone has a right to their opinion but this is what hip hop should sound like. I wish every DITC artist would release an album with Apollo Brown.

      1. “He deserves so much better”… Do you have wax in your ears? Apollo Brown is arguably one of the best producers in Hip-Hop right now. Tell me who else has the balls to sample Cream and make it sound as good as Apollo? Nobody. Go listen to some Lex Luger or Boi 1da beats.

      2. Mehhh. Agree with Anonymous. OC could have better beats. Not that Apollo is bad but geez a little effort would help. Watch the apollo brown makes a beat. Just a simple loop/chop and simple drums. Pretty Lazy. He’s a beat-maker not a producer.

    30. Very great body of work right here… Props to O.C. for the refreshing lyricism and Apollo for the bangers

    31. “1% out of 99.9 is still a gang of ppl”

      More like 90% don’t have a clue who O.C. is, and 10% do. Unfortunately, out of the 10% who do, 2% were able to find the album in a store. The other 1% got tired of looking and bought Take Care. These math scenarios are fun.

    32. Case in point,,this generation of dudes are crack babies and r now adults…ur math is waaay offf !!!!!!!! LMAO tht dosen’t add up brother
      here u go… “take care” sold a couple million records, ok drizzy as he’s called, outta the million …has a few thousand ppl tht don’t listen to him and i’ll say a few thousand dumbed down as an example cause There’s ROUGHLY 8 BILLION PPL ON PLANT EARTH so 1% of over 8 billion ppl on the plant nobody’s listenin tu somebody like Oc or whoever else u say is trash? damn I’m expecting the world to end very soon or betta yet us ole heads an non followers of ur kind of ignorance ,we jus gonna step aside let cha’ll run everything lets c wht cha’ll du with it………lololololololol
      p.s. ur answr was cute it was wrong but it was still cute TROPHIES WINS !!! 😉

    33. http://WWW.MAKEHOTBEATZ.COM *** *** YOU ARE DR.DRENAH UR BETTER!
      MAKEHOTBEATZ(DOT)COM*** *** GET UR PRODUCER DEGREE
      MAKEHOTBEATZ(DOT)COM*** *** GET A FREE DEMO
      MAKEHOTBEATZ(DOT)COM*** *** DRAKE WILL CALL U FOR BEATS
      MAKEHOTBEATZ(DOT)COM*** *** MAKE LABEL READY BEATS
      MAKEHOTBEATZ(DOT)COM*** ***BEATS GET $$$$
      http://WWW.MAKEHOTBEATZ.COM ***YOU CAN MAKE BEATS EASY!

    34. O.C. just flows so well over the soulful production from Brown here, one of the best releases this year…

    35. Classic. I respect everyone’s opinion about music, but how can you really honestly deny that this album is top notch? You’re lying to yourself and everyone on here. How can you blatantly say that this amazing album is not good? I just have to laugh at that. This is hip hop at it’s best. The beats are incredible, and sorry, I’m not sure that OC could’ve found a better marriage. This is easily the best album of 2012. Classic.

    36. This is the real deal . rappers take notes please , rap about something , other than weed , bitches and cars . its played out

    37. Y R ppl tryin tu deny this dude…Oc Trophies ,
      He made a classic ..again ,wordlife,jewelz, & now
      Trophies

    38. Its alwayz 1ne dickhead witta ignorant comment!
      Go body urself Lil B u a Homo Thug…lolol TROPHIES BABY!!!!!!

    39. Yo i need help. I got ten bucks to spend on itunes. Should I get this or the new Reks album?

      1. I’m listening to O.C.’s album now and the lyrics and story telling are close to what he did on Jewelz and Word…Life. I’d say the beats lack sometimes but mostly work. So your probably better of getting this now and buying the Reks cd later (which is what I will do!)

    40. great album. but classic? eehhmmm… not quite. solid the whole way through but no standout/amazing tracks

    41. What I want to hear next is an album with O.C. on the vocals, old unreleased Buckwild beats and DJ Sinista on the cuts. Now that would be album of the year!

    42. Expected more honestly, I love OC & Apollo’s work with The Left but this just kinda seemed basic for what they could have done

      Oh Well

    43. Sounds like one big track. Absolutely overrated, no highlights/outstanding tracks whatsoever! O.C.’s performances and Apollo’s beats on this album could cure insomnia. Nothing wrong with having a more laidback style, but both of them are using it to cover their lack of motivation. What a weak effort. This is by far the worst project in their respective discographies. It lets Bon Appetit and Clouds sound like Illmatic and Donuts.

    44. the ppl have spoken yall dudes r haterz almost 10 thousand records sold say othawise go listen tu tht wack azz 2 chains or whteva yall listenin tu…..TROPHIES

    45. Pretty good, probably O.C.’s third best, if not his fourth. The production outshines him a little, while on his previous albums he seemed to be more of the focal point of the music (no matter how good the beats were – from Premo to Buckwild productions).

    46. u sound stoopid u the production outshines him wht are u on crack????? i like how this internet criticsm is outta control.

    47. YO PPL NEED TO STOP THINKN THEY REALLY KNOW WHT THEY’RE
      TALK’N BOUT THTS THE PROBLEM WIT MUSIC AND CONSUMERS YA’LL
      ALL CONFUSED UR NOT PRODUCERS OF MUSIC AND UR NOT ARTISTS
      U BUY OR STEAL MUSIC!! ESPECIALLY ALL THESE WHITE BOYS WHO THINK THEY’RE RICK RUBIN MOST OF UR WHITEBOY RAPPERS AND PRODUCERS SUKKKKKKK!!!!!! THE ONLY THING YALL HAV IN COMMON IS SKIN COLOR SO YALL FEEL YALL RELATE ,,DA FUK OUTTA HERE………..TROPHIES!!!!!!!!!! A MASTERPIECE

    48. What a great album. O.C. was a beast on here, but Apollo impressed me even more. I really hope there’s going to be a sequel.

    49. I like this album and O.C. goes hard but the production could be more versatile. Apollo Brown made a 4/4 beat and just looped it. Every track is with this pattern and it seems they didnt invest enough time for the tracks, thats why i give 3,5 stars

    50. HEEELL Y EEEZZZ NIKKKAS

      FINALLY IT HAPPENED – JUST BOUGHT A NEW RIDE – A CAM A RO CONVERTIBLE.GOT APPROVED FOR 26 LARGE. BEEN 5 YRS SINCE IVE GOTTEN SHYT APPROVED, BUT NOW ALL MY CRE DIT ISHH IS GONE. ALL OF IT.

      IF YOU STRUGGLING WITH THAT CRE DIT HISTORY ISHH, GET RID OF ALL DAT TODAY – CALL THESE PEEPS AT 8–8–8-9-2-7 -3-3-5-6 . . THEY DO AMAZING WORK AND THEY ARE CHEAP AS FUQQ. GOT RID OF ALL MY SHYYT IN NO TIME.

      MY HOMEBOY WAS IN THE GUTTA TOO, AND HE CLEANER THAN ME NOW-gettin a condo!!

      Hit em up – THEY WILL HELP U!!

    51. One of the greatest comebacks in years…O.C. in 1997 -2012…..WHAT A BEAST!

      5 stars….y’all should be embarrassed for just giving it a 4 star review. SMH

      1

    52. OC:
      Yo, theres nothing but wealth in my soul
      So the slogan, Men lie, numbers dont
      Read between the quotes or cop-out
      In the D gettin songs knocked out
      Soon to hit the road and rock out
      In pre-recordin I can fix my mistakes
      But its another level in the flesh live, onstage
      Big acts backed by majors
      Sign the dotted line, 360 like they doin us a favor
      Fake-ass bosses talkin balderdash with fake designer garments
      Glass in they crosses, balloonin they profits
      You niggas need stop it
      How far do the lies go before you expose
      Seems pussy aint a mans down-fall no mo
      New things, stretch a lie as far is it could go
      Product placement, live shit is way down in the basement
      Crime, tour, promote murder, catch a case, heh.

    53. This album just spins and spins and spins into greatness. Never gets old. OC is amazing and Apollo brought out the best in him.

    54. Apollo Brown’s beats have that certain ability to bring out the best in a wide range of MC’s, Trophies is no exception. OC steps to the plate to show that well maintained ability not only survives the clock time of ag, but continues to develop. Album of the year 2012.

    55. -Apollo captured everything great about the old school but made it completely fresh again. So much so that OC sounds better than ever – I like this more than Word Life, more than Jewelz and Zi was there for those 2. Amazing album.

    56. Apollo Brown proves, once again, he has the Midas Touch and O.C. provides the lyrics to match. Another stellar production.

    57. Production -A
      Lyrics – B/B+

      Only better colaboration with Apollo Brown is “Dice Game” with Guilty Simpson

    58. This album was a breath of fresh air compared to what is forced down the throats of consumers these days by the corporate industry it’s intelligent meaningful and has a very high replay value Ty to O.C. and Apollo Brown for this

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *