ODDISEE IN CONCERT:
D.C. rapper and producer Oddisee has set himself apart from other emcees of his generation by ditching cynical topics like violence and drugs in favor of personal themes like travel, inequality, and his hometown. In concert his laid-back beats and sample-heavy hooks set a relaxed vibe, and his smooth flow perfectly complements the chill atmosphere of tracks like “That’s Love” and “Own Appeal”. He’s joined on stage by a DJ on the ones and twos, and the live mixing always keeps the shows dynamic and the audiences on their toes. With his classic sound, thoughtful rhymes, and subtle swagger, Oddissee always delivers a soulful hip hop concert experience full of infectious grooves and body-rocking beats.
BACKGROUND SNAPSHOT:
Oddisse, aka Amir Mohamed el Khalifa, was born in the affluent D.C. suburb of Prince George County, a short drive from some of the city’s roughest areas. He was influenced by hip hop culture from an early age, and his proximity to the inner city closely informed his socially conscious approach to rapping. He hit the ground running in 2008 with his debut album 101, releasing three more albums over the next year alone. His prolific recording schedule paid off -- in 2010 he signed to Mello Music Group and released the album Traveling Man, a 24-track odyssey of songs written in 24 different cities around the world. His follow up on the label, 2012’s People Hear What They See, was a critical success, landing at No. 20 on Complex’s 50 Best Albums of 2012 list. Since then he has continued to record and tour extensively, both as a solo artist and as one third of the hip hop group Diamond District.
