Oddisee’s ‘Odd Cure’ Is The Soundtrack of COVID-19

Following a three year hiatus from music, veteran rapper ODDISEE has returned with a 6-track EP Odd Cure on his new independent Hip-Hop imprint, Outer Note Label. The EP executive produced in totality by the Sudanese emcee and mixed by Delf is not only one of his most personal projects to date but one of his most sonically experimental. 

From jazz, alt-r&b, go-go, afrofuturism to rap, ODDISEE enlists the assistance of pianist Ralph Real, bassist Dennis Turner, guitarist & vocalist Olivier St. Louis, and drummer Jon Laine to blend the best of what each genre has to offer. 

Mastered by Hans-Philip Graf, Odd Cure can arguably be divided into four distinct sections. The first section consists of the skit “Call Baba” and tracks “The Cure” & “Shoot Your Shot”. The second section, skit “Call Grandma” and tracks “I Thought You Were Fate”& “Still Strange” featuring Priya Ragu & Saint Ezekiel. The next section, skit “Call Ma” and track “No Skips” featuring Ralph Real. The last section consists of the bookending of skits “Call Homie” and “Call Manager” with the track “Go To Mars” featuring Olivier St.Louis snuggled in-between.

While COVID-19 is the centralized focus of the project illustrated through the skits which serve as a bonding glue for the EP’s overall cohesiveness, the individual tracks will certainly stand the test of time.

For a full track break down keep reading. For my final thoughts, skip to the end.

The project opens strong with one of the more complex songs on the EP, “The Cure”, a track about how financial stability can be empowering unless you are a person of color, in that case, it is only a temporary cloak of protection. 

Stand out lyrics: “I’ma keeping it moving I got no choice / Representing for the weak of us with no voice / Rich enough to be protected from who’s elected / Black enough to be respected but still messed with / Pulled over in a Buick or a Rolls Royce / 5’9″ or 6´3″ they gone feel threatened / Your fragility is hidden under your weapon.”

On “Shoot Your Shot” ODDISEE details the fork in the road that comes with success, the responsibility of those that ‘make it’, and the mentality crippling effects of poverty.  On the track, ODDISEE incorporates go-go’s signature hi-hat and the 1990s synthesizer sound made popular by Zapp & Roger. 

Stand out lyrics: “If you think that you’re somebody / Who can’t hold an open door / Well then history gets copied / If you’re poor long enough / Or you’re rich for a while / You think it is meant to be / Turn your status to a style / Take a life, take a job, take a job, take a life / I’m just trying to lift my burden and your loss gets it light.”

“I Thought You Were Fate” is one of the breakout tracks on the project which features a stellar showing from guitarists Olivier St.Louis & Saint Ezekiel. The song details the wormhole that is self-doubt and how that can cloud your ability to determine when something is or isn’t for you. 

Stand out lyrics: “Had to flee doubt, yeah had to be out / It’s a big city not enough for us to split it /I can make living anywhere that I can visit / Didn’t know it ’til I pack the rental with a vision / That became reality the more that you were distant / Saw you as nest now I see you as a net / Guess you saw me as a catch now I see you as a prison / Of my own making un-made it now I’m different / Had to turn an is into an isn’t.”

A great follow-up to the previous track, “Still Strange” is the breakout song on the project and fan-favorite which features budding R&B singer Priya Ragu and Saint Ezekiel. ODDISEE’s creative risk of blending lofi, alt-r&b with go-go paid off on this track. Ragu’s vocal performance adds a much need texture to the song that the overall project seems to lack. ODDISEE’s lyrical ability also shines bright on “Still Strange”. Although the lyrics feature very current phrasing as it relates to COVID-19, “I lost you first, make matters worse / I lost my job, I’m non-essential maybe / Don’t wash your hands of me / We should be closer why are we distant”, his wittiness lends it more so clever than corny. “Still Strange” perfectly captures the emotion this global pandemic has injected into the listener. Previously shallow obsessions have been replaced with meaningful interactions and engagement.

“No Skips” featuring Ralph Real is one of the most mature songs on the project. On the song, ODDISEE speaks on how he manages to stay grounded in spite of his accumulated success. His answer is simple. Take it all in one day at a time, do not follow trends, stay true to yourself, and eliminate your ego.

Stand out lyrics: “Not impressed if a restaurant’s got a waiting list / Travelled enough to know polenta’s just a plate of grits / Who got cars, I got lanes / Who got game, I got cards / who’s playing, too advanced / Fronted double your budget, you ’bout to lose a fan / Odd stay underrated but I improve the chance / I never meant to make any man feel insecure / Less I’m the accomplice to what you claim accomplished.”

The closing track, “Go To Mars” featuring Olivier St.Louis outside of “Still Strange” was one of the biggest creative risks ODDISEE took. Unlike “Still Strange” in this case, the risk did not pay off. While ODDISEE flexes his vocal ability as a singer, Oliver’s vocal performance is in direct conflict which muddies the waters. On “Go To Mars” ODDISEE attempts to weld go-go and afrofuturism, reminiscent of early Prince and later Bilal, but it just doesn’t work.  However, ODDISEE’s lyricism manages to keep you pulled in. 

The track outlines his desire to leave the shallowness which is the music industry behind. As fans speculated online, “Go To Mars” may be ODDISEE’s response to his rumored departure from Mello Music Group.

Stand out lyrics: “Is a savior, someone who will save you / or at least make you feel like he will ’til your will is enslaved huh / I don’t know but I’m starting to feel like I’m caught in a wheel / That’s spinning around with no breaks up a hill / Is it fact, is it fake, doesn’t matter if it’s real / Just as long as I escape.”

In comparison to 2017’s The Iceberg, ODDISEE’s lyrical ability hasn’t changed much which isn’t a bad thing as it is far superior to many of his peers. On the other hand, areas that have improvided include his ear for production, strategic use of instrumentation, foresight seen in the blending of genres, and strengthen vocal ability heard in his singing. 

The Iceberg was a highlight reel of great individual tracks whereas the Odd Cure is a documentary. A well-thought-out complete body of work but ODDISEE could’ve pushed himself much further. Maybe he’s saving that for his two upcoming projects (one EP and one full-length album).

Overall, Odd Cure is what good kid, m.A.A.d city is to Kendrick Lamar and 4:44 is to Jay-Z. ODDISEE uses vivid storytelling and intentional structuring to guide the listener on a journey into the matured mindset of Amir Mohamed el Khalifa, the man.

This is by no means a coming of age story rather a deeper dive into what responsibility looks like and how it manifests into the different relationships. From parenthood, family dynamics, friendships to business management, ODDISEE explores it all on Odd Cure.

To purchase, Odd Cure, click HERE. To connect with ODDISEE be sure to follow him on Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.

What did you think of the ODDISEE’s Odd Cure EP? I’d love to hear your thoughts below in the comment section.