For years, Oddisee didn't need a whole lot of words to make a statement. The Maryland-raised, Brooklyn-based rapper and beatmaker focused more on the production side of rap, crafting a handful of instrumental albums that merged dusty samples with the drama of a good soundtrack.
But on his new album, The Good Fight, Oddisee turns outward. He steps up to the mic with confidence and skill, verbally dancing around his tracks' soul-jazz rhythms. On "That's Love," he tips his hat to those that showed him love in its many guises: hurtful truths, reassurances, tough lessons. These are the sides of love that rarely get talked about in songs because they're complicated sentiments; it takes longer than a four-minute single to reveal their true meanings. But Oddisee's patience and directness pay off. It's a quick victory lap before he's back to the grind.
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