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\nIf I asked you what you\u2019re good fight is about, you\u2019d probably list dichotomies that speak at the very essence of what it means to be human – freedom vs imprisonment, truth vs lies, love vs hate, or \u2018me against the world\u2019. To be free in this world comes with consequences when the infrastructure around you may not support it. Even if it\u2019s freedom of the mind, there are consequences.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Such dichotomies and the desire to stay true to an unconventional path provides the oscillating grand narrative found in the new album The Good Fight by Washington D.C raised and now Brooklyn based rapper, Oddisee.<\/p>\n

The Good Fight is a sonically diverse hip hop album that illustrates Oddisee’s existing eclectic production skills weaving in and out of hip hop, soul, and latin influences. However, it\u2019s in the vein of jazz that Oddisee remains loyal demonstrating the genre throughout the album. Oddisee fleshes out sound in a way one peels the layers of an onion. He seasons this album with the values of love, acceptance and the desire to live his truth and walk his truth no matter the societal framework around him. He is happy to walk against the grain \u2013 despite the disapprovals and pressures. His lyrical maturity is evidently honed from traveling the world and learning the lessons of humanity through the eyes of a self professed odd guy found in the lyrics \u2018Belong To The World\u2019. <\/p>\n

Released through one of my favourite labels on the frontline of quality hip hop music, Mellow Music Group would have escalated their profile this year with this album alone. There seems to have been a shift in his mindset from his dark 2013 Tangible Dream album to The Good Fight. Tangible Dream musically sat in heavy hip hop production with darker and rounder kicks and snares with lyrical content that questioned his place in the industry as exampled in \u2018Yeah Nah\u2019. There is a combative lyrical aggression in Tangible Dreams that you won\u2019t find in The Good Fight.<\/p>\n

The entire album deserves an 8\/10 for overall lyrical content and adventurous production, collaborating with incredible blues musician Gary Clarke Jnr, vocalist Maimouna Youseff, Nick Hakim, and Tranquil. Yet the stand out track that is a perfect summation of what we should be reminded of on the daily is \u2018That\u2019s Love.\u2019<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen you told me the truth, even if it really hurt, Cos you knew a lie was worse (That\u2019s Love)\u2019.
\nWhen you let me borrow money, that you didn\u2019t really have
\nCos you knew what I was worth (That\u2019s\u2019 Love).
\nWhen you were giving me advice, that I seldom ever took,
\nBut your head never shook (That\u2019s Love).\u201d<\/p>\n

It\u2019s the one on one connection, the simple things, believing in a cause and love – the things worth fighting for that fuels The Good Fight.<\/p>\n