Breaking down Oddisee’s The Iceberg
Oddisee is one of rap’s most outspoken artists. In The Iceberg, be breaks down political walls, racism and individual identity and mindfulness.
Amir Mohamed el Khalifa, or Oddisee, is Sudanese-American producer/MC from Washington D.C. He is an independent artist who has been releasing music since 2005. Though still relatively unknown within the main stream rap game, there is no doubting is talent and passion for rapping.
His newest album The Iceberg was released in February of this year. This album is his third release in 12 months but it is definitely one any hip hop fan should listen to. Pitchfork claimed the album as “a focused beam of live-band and hip-hop soul that rattles loudly in our present political moment”.
Kendrick Lemar, Chance the Rapper and Anderson.Paak have both revitalised the use of a live band in hip hop. The Iceberg is an album which is deeply soulful, and shot through with jazz, go-go, gospel, thick R&B and hard beats.
‘If you got a message in your music you collect dust’ Oddisee claimed on his album ‘The Good Life.’ However this hasn’t stopped him creating music which is deeply poetic and covers a wide range of themes from racism, sexism, money, power to religion and individual identities.
Even his rap name Oddisee or Odd I See shows that he wants us to read between the lines with his music or dig deep as we see on the opening track Digging Deeper. He encourages us as humans and individuals to always dig deeper. ‘Rights made wrong from a point of view, Morality is relevant to what you’re going through’. This upbeat opener is aimed at opening people’s mind to read between lines, listen and see experiences from other points of views.
Things continues this theme of open mindfulness. This dancehall infused track which explains how each of us has our own trials and tribulations which we go through in life. “Things is about how me make ourselves the centre of the universe & place importance on things that only matter to us” tweeted Oddisse.
Racism is the key theme within Built by Pictures. He focuses on the marginalised black communities within America which lack in terms of money and power. Therefore people turn to the TV and media for images of success. ‘By looking at pictures I was given tools meant for building.’ Oddisse himself realises that hard work is needed for success. ‘I’m a Phoenix; I went from ashes to classes.’ He uses the ashes as the metaphor for the black communities while acknowledging the need for education to break out of these ‘ashes.’
Hold it Back is Oddisee not holding back. He uses the platform he has with The Iceberg to speak the truth on issues money, sex, politics, race and religion. Male privilege is just one of these themes explained in Hold it back, ‘I make more than my sister Cause I was born as a mister.’ He is not afraid of using his platform to speak about these so called touchy subjects which many rappers shy away form as it is deemed unpopular.
You Grew Up also focuses on the topic racism and how our upbringing can often be at the root of these problems. Oddisee uses a semi-biographical story about his childhood white friend and how what happened his father when he was younger led to him becoming racist. Oddisee’s own experiences with racism and bigotry as a child form the basis for the second verse. As a half-Sudanese Arab, he knows how being different in a small town can lead to bullying and marginalization.
NNGE (Never Not Getting Enough), is an upbeat bouncy track with a positive message. Oddisee encourages people to stay positive in the face of adversity and its many forms. Oddisee dedicates this song to those still living in the conditions he grew up in ‘This is for the county and the areas surrounding, DC, Maryland and Virginia know I’m with you’.
In Like Really Trump and racism in America are targets of Oddisee’s words ‘How you gonna make us great, when we were never really that amazing (nah like really).’ He questions how Trump is going to take a country which has been and still is drenched in racism and make it great. If he is vowing to make America great again, is he is referring to time of ‘happiness’ in the 50s to 60s where the American economy grew while so did the numbers of black Americans being hung by Ku Kux Klan. ‘Take it back to what, I don’t find hanging black lives entertaining (nah like really)’ the second verse focus on how being an independent artist allows Oddisse the freedom to speak about what ever issues he desires. Oddisee feels this freedom gives him power to be a voice to connect to people. Want To Be follows this theme as Oddisse explains how is free to be who wants to be, perform what songs he likes and write about any topic he desires.
This Girl I Know personifies rap as Oddisse’s girlfriend. He explains the trials and tribulations they go through together. In the last verse he announces his love for the game and the career it has given him ‘I think my love know me more than I give credit for, She made me greater even though I tell her that I’m better for her’.
Waiting Outside explores a dark, often forgotten topic, against background of a live band with heavy bass lines and drums. Oddisse uses this track to focus on mental health, in particular the mental health of black Americans. He looks at why people refuse to talk or ask for help ‘Chat with I, myself and me I never stop to asked what helping needs’.
Rain Dance is Oddisee celebrating his career and all he is gained from the path he has chosen. He talks about everything from wanting to be like Dr Dre, to the lure of women and meeting his wife. Right and Wrongs is another upbeat track which looks at what is right and wrong within life and how do we know if what we are doing is right or wrong.
The Iceberg is an album which covers a wide range of deep, emotional and political subjects through upbeat jazz, dance and R&B beats. Though the album might not be popular within the mainstream rap audience, this 45 minute album will provide a perfect soundtrack for any rap fan that enjoys depth within powerful lyrical content.
