With Hip Hop’s beginnings stemming from a “do-it-yourself” mentality that unified disenfranchised youth in the Bronx, this same approach has extended to entrepreneurial business meeting the need for creativity in modern times. In particular, the advent of technological resources including the Internet (social media and digital retailers such as iTunes and Bandcamp) and ProTools sessions have made it possible for artists to reach fans and even collaborate from separate studios in ways previously impossible. Producer/MC Oddisee is a lead benefactor of such efficiency, hailing from Prince George’s County (neighboring the nation’s capital Washington DC), using everything at his disposal to shift music in a soulful and mature direction for the past decade. People Hear What They See is his eagerly anticipated debut solo album, a culmination of many instrumental projects and smaller efforts teasing his full potential.
As one of the present culture’s most accomplished acts on the international touring circuit, Oddisee’s first album reflects experience gained from an expansive worldview that is equally personal and universal. Technically still a product of Hip Hop as his long established penchant for fierce rapping accompanied by boom-bap rhythm is fully intact, his gradual growth towards a fleshed out vision inclusive of live instrumentation may seek transcendence that dispels confinement within a set genre.
Topically, the album covers an array of serious matters as Oddisee joins forces with his partners XO and yU (the three comprising the group Diamond District) on “Do It All” breaking down their empowered determination towards career survival while “Let It Go” and “That Real” (both inspired by ’70s Soul and Funk) respectively cover withstanding stress and simultaneously balancing the need for commerce with staying true to his craft. Proving himself capable of occupying numerous lanes, the relationship themed “The Need Superficial” and “Thinking Maybes” are handled with the same grace as a response to the country’s economic crisis on “American Greed” and “Set You Free” which takes materialism and similar societal traps to task. Ending things on a personal note, “You Know Who You Are” is a series of open letters to unnamed friends turned foes and supporters and the finale “Think Of Things” is an introspective piece highlighted by beautiful strings and synths celebrating how far he’s come in hopes of further strides.
Oddisee remains one of the underground’s most thriving self-starters, a brilliantly independent idealist who goes against the grain in a manner that is relatable to serious Hip Hop enthusiasts. People See What They Hear is a gimmick free journey through his mind, as he speaks to concerns that are in perfect synch with aging listeners gravely concerned for what they perceive to be the wilted shape, form and feeling of a once vibrant urban movement.
Four is a bit generous.
Your screename is based after one of the worst rappers in history. Your argument is invalid.
Spot on with the four.
Great beats & meaningfull rhymes. Not the most stylistic emcee, but his words are powerful and much deeper than today’s typical hip-hop album.
BELOW on every new video article and basically any new piece of content
ill
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 SHEET 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!!
One of my favorite albums this year. Oddisee is doing so much more than most people – from both beats and rhymes, to the marvin remix video, to his acoustic work. Big up.
One of the best albums to come out this year.
I really like this album.
^^^ why was my last comment removed? …Anyways…what i was tryn to say was this is a very nice album. I give it 5 stars.
Dope album, really love all of Oddisee’s work.
Such an honor to support this man’s music .. Rock Creek Park was the best instrumental album in 2011 ..Possibly in years. This album just built onto the dopeness of that project.
My favorite project from Oddisee already. When’s the album with apollo droppin?
Forgot to rate
Best album I’ve listened to in 2012. The mixtape he dropped earlier this year is also dope (Odd Renditions).
amazing, nuff said
This album is a blessing, one of the best album i’ve heard this year.
definitely in my top 5 releases of 2012 so far..
Oddisee, i see as odd. as in unusual, not your regular artist. He surpasses them. A Sonically sensational aulbum, and the bit where he picks up the pace towards the end of the first track is straight dope!
BIEN
Bien…………..
dope
dope album
Awesome album
Love it
“Best album of the year”
This sentence can be read in the comment sections on 5 out of 10 album reviews
This guy is such a gay diva.
GTFOH dumbass
Shit is dope
Oddisee should rap more often.
Great!!!
Dope ass album! Oddisee has never disspointed me.
haven’t heard a complete album like this one in a while…
Good album from an incredible producer, musician, MC.
Odd Future and Young Money get the press but REAL headz know the best new young cats is Low Budget Crew.BY FAR!Peace to Kev Brown, DTMD,Kaimbr and Diamond District’s XO & YU.Will be getting this. Check for my man’s new video to yo!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=huH5YpDc1Zc
Great album!
This is hip hop!
This is fantastic. From the first few seconds of the first track it was clear that this album is totally exceptional. It manages to be intellectual and meaningful without being overbearing or obnoxious about it, and that’s hard to pull off.
“I’m not a star, somebody lying I ride the subway as a car”
Real lyrics not bullshit fake ass rappers lie about.
This Album is too nice…Real Hip-Hop.
So Dope 5/5 real Hiphop !
blog rap trillionaire.
Content: 4.5/5
Guest Spots: 4/5
Lyrics: 4/5
MC: 3.5/5
Production: 4.5/5
Awesome…Really one of the best tracks
I mean albums lol of the year smh holy shit i’m high
FUUQQ YEEZ MY NIKKAS
FINALLY IT HAPPENED – JUST GOT 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 SHEET GONE. ALL OF IT.
IF YOU STRUGGLING WITH THAT CREDITT 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!!
My favorite tracks are American Greed and You Know Who You Are (Acoustic Version) in my top 10
My favorite tracks are American Greed and You Know Who You Are (Acoustic Version) in my top 10 albums of the year
Nice album if you like listening to lyrics more than the beat althought the production is really nice.
Best Album of the Year, at least to me.
Unbelievable music, he is a genius and should be recognized more in Hip Hop. One of the best Albums this year!
classic
Very musical album – takes Hip-Hop a level higher.
one of the best in 2012 no doubt
AOTY no.2
Dope album, Peeps still sleeping tho..