Since producing and performing the hit track "Musik Lounge" for DJ Jazzy Jeff's "Magnificent" LP, Amir "Oddisee" Mohamed has pushed his involvement in the music industry into fifth gear. Taking advantage of working at A Touch of Jazz studios, Oddisee has incorporated the neo soul vibe of Philly into his eclectic and well decorated resume. Coming from a diverse background, the half Sudanese half African American was blessed with musical talent from both sides of his family. Oddisee was influenced by the accomplished singers, guitarists, and poets on his Sudanese side, and on his American side, by the gospel singers, blue grass guitar players, and older cousins who gave him his first taste of hip-hop. Ironically, it was his Sudanese father that gave Oddisee the vinyl that fueled his passion for producing hip-hop music.
Since turning his focus towards hip-hop in 1999, Oddisee has worked with the likes of Gary Shider of Parliament and Funkadelic, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Talib Kweli, J-Live, Asheru, Little Brother, and many other respected recording artists. Now signed with Halftooth Records, Oddisee will soon be invading air waves and record stores near you with a unique sound that's impossible to ignore. With his incredibly distinctive and mesmerizing style, Oddisee covers just about every sect of hip-hop music, creating a sound that is appealing to all music lovers. Born in Washington D.C. and raised in Maryland, Oddisee and his "Low Budget Crew," including such hip hop artists and producers as Cy Young, Kevin Brown, Kenn Starr, have already managed to leave their mark within the hip-hop community of the D.C. metropolitan area.
In 2008 Oddisee signed with Mello Music Group and released a string of critically acclaimed projects that he either produced or rhymed on: 101, Mental Liberation, Everything Changed Nothing, Odd Seasons, and Traveling Man. He also created the break out DMV group Diamond District, which released In the Ruff in 2009, along with Uptown XO and yU. Oddisee has recently seen his music featured on ESPN during the NBA Finals, and in commercials for companies such as Quiksilver and Burton Snowboards, among others. Oddiseeโs debut solo album People Hear What They See, was released on June 5, 2012 via Mello Music Group, and is a culmination of the duality of his life experiences, from DC internal politics to third world struggles, the line between love and selfishness, and the personal conflict between self-sabotage and progress, set to a backdrop of intricate drums, lush instrumentation, and soul-stirring harmonies.
Today, Oddisee splits his time between his Brooklyn, New York apartment, his DC stomping grounds, and his London base, while continuing to tour, develop new artists, consult for MMG, and create new music. Oddisee is ready to introduce his remarkable sounds to the world and influence the entire music community. This producer/emcee extraordinaire is poised to be your favorite beat maker and lyricist in one. Watch out world!
Want Something Done
Oddisee Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
It's not a problem, no
I'm prolly better off without you though
Oh yeah, it's working
I just had another phone meeting
Felt like I was all alone speaking
To the clones keeping, black music soul weeping
Glorifying music, that's abusive and a threat to us
And if you got a message in your records
You collecting dust upon the shelf
They selling us components meant to self-destruct
To shelter us in skelter in disguise of something helping us
So I'ma build a bunker now, in the underground
Surviving with that other sound
Clipping magazines, repeating this ain't had to be
Self published, but we're still running for covers now
Imagine me in pageantries, we branded as awards
What's the difference 'tween them auction blocks and cooning for applause
Even selling out, or buying something that you can't afford
It ain't a plan to keep us poor, it's just a plan to be ignored
But um
I guess I got to do it all myself
It's not a problem, no
I'm prolly better off without you though
Oh yeah, it's working
Maybe I should collaborate and record with dudes
Only thing they think important is some Jordan shoes
Either that or conflicted rebels with sorted views
Are you rapper or reporter with a point to prove?
Don't ask me for assistance in positioning agendas
In the center of attention so your militance remembered
If the cameras ain't in vision you gon mission in your venture to the capitol
With pickets: A mission that never rendered
I'ma help the people close to me
They help the people close to them, and then hopefully
Friends of their friends, friends heed the notion- We
Started off locally, and now it's changed globally
That's the way it's 'posed to be
Single seeds only grow to trees if left alone to breath
So let's take some time to expose the weeds
Feeding off the roots of the culture vultures are next to you
Convincing you they saving the forest
When they the wrecking crew
I guess I gotta do it all myself
It's not a problem, no
I'm prolly better off without you though
Oh yeah, it's working
I guess I gotta do it all myself
It's not a problem, no
I'm prolly better off without you though
Oh yeah, it's working
The lyrics of Oddisee's "Want Something Done" express the frustration of an artist who's not interested in conforming to the industry standards and catering to the masses' demands. The first lines of the chorus, "I guess I gotta do it all myself," convey the idea that sometimes it's better to take matters into your own hands and not depend on others for success. The artist seems to be conveying that it's not a problem going solo as it helps him focus on what he truly wants without any interference from external factors.
In the first verse, Oddisee talks about being in a phone meeting with people who he feels are not on the same page as him musically. He refers to them as 'clones keeping' and objects to the glorification of black music soul weeping. He stresses the need for more positive messages in lyrics instead of the abusive ones. Oddisee talks about companies selling faulty products, meant to self-destruct, to fulfill our needs as a society. Instead, he chooses to create his 'bunker' of music in the underground which resonated with the 'other sound' of people.
Line by Line Meaning
I guess I got to do it all myself
Acknowledging that he must take on the responsibility and work alone to achieve his goals.
It's not a problem, no
Indicating that the challenge is not an issue for him.
I'm prolly better off without you though
Suggesting that he doesn't need external assistance to accomplish his goals.
Oh yeah, it's working
Implying that his approach is indeed working.
I just had another phone meeting
Describing a recent conversation he had.
Felt like I was all alone speaking
Noting that he didn't feel any support or solidarity from his conversation partners.
To the clones keeping, black music soul weeping
Referring to the music industry as a mere echo chamber, filled with copycat artists producing emotionally bereft music.
I'm a new angel, and they only want the old demons
Suggesting that he's a fresh voice in the industry, but the industry is only interested in traditional artists and sounds.
Glorifying music, that's abusive and a threat to us
Criticizing the music industry for promoting music that is detrimental to society.
And if you got a message in your records
Highlighting that having a meaningful message in your music is not enough for commercial success in today's market.
You collecting dust upon the shelf
Indicating that quality music with messages is being ignored and left to collect dust by the industry.
They selling us components meant to self-destruct
Suggesting that the industry is promoting ephemeral trends and fads instead of longevity.
To shelter us in skelter in disguise of something helping us
Insinuating that the industry is giving us fragile and insufficient things, under the guise of support and help.
So I'ma build a bunker now, in the underground
Imagining himself as a revolutionary who will create a new, underground music scene outside of the industry.
Surviving with that other sound
Indicating that survival is possible with different sounds and unconventional methods.
Clipping magazines, repeating this ain't had to be
Comparing his new approach with standard music industry practices.
Self published, but we're still running for covers now
Describing the challenges faced even when being independent and going against the norm.
Imagine me in pageantries, we branded as awards
Imagines potential future successes.
What's the difference 'tween them auction blocks and cooning for applause
Critiquing how Black artists are oftentimes exploited and commodified by the industry.
Even selling out, or buying something that you can't afford
Highlighting the cycle of debt and subjugation that the industry can perpetuate.
It ain't a plan to keep us poor, it's just a plan to be ignored
Suggesting that the industry's negligence and ignorance towards Black artists is not necessarily intentional or malicious, but still problematic.
Maybe I should collaborate and record with dudes
Considering the possibility of working with others.
Only thing they think important is some Jordan shoes
Critiquing how superficial and materialistic some people in the industry can be.
Either that or conflicted rebels with sorted views
Describing two common types of music industry insiders.
Are you rapper or reporter with a point to prove?
Questioning whether an artist's priority is just to make music, or to also report on important issues.
Don't ask me for assistance in positioning agendas
Requesting that others not bring him into their business dealings or political schemes.
In the center of attention so your militance remembered
Noting how some people have a tendency to become militant in the spotlight so that they'll be remembered.
If the cameras ain't in vision you gon mission in your venture to the capitol
Suggesting that some people only perform activism when the cameras are rolling.
With pickets: A mission that never rendered
Describing how some protests can ultimately be futile and ineffective.
I'ma help the people close to me
Stating his priorities to focus on building his own community.
They help the people close to them, and then hopefully
Extrapolating that his community will in turn help others, creating a rippling effect of positive change.
Friends of their friends, friends heed the notion- We
Connecting his local efforts to a larger movement of change-making.
Started off locally, and now it's changed globally
Reiterating how change often starts at the local level before scaling upwards.
That's the way it's 'posed to be
Positing that this is the way change ought to happen.
Single seeds only grow to trees if left alone to breath
Metaphorically explaining how independent and organic growth is necessary for lasting change.
So let's take some time to expose the weeds
Arguing that it's necessary to find and weed out the problematic elements of the music industry and society at large.
Feeding off the roots of the culture vultures are next to you
Describing how predatory and exploitative individuals and entities are close by, seeking to profit off of artistic and cultural movements.
Convincing you they saving the forest
Highlighting how these predatory forces often justify their actions as being for the greater good or benefit of the artists and culture they exploit.
When they the wrecking crew
Contrasting their true intentions with their stated intentions, revealing them to be harmful and damaging.
Lyrics ยฉ O/B/O APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
Keith McNulty
Not here because of NBA but if this man gets more recognition then I'm happy. Oddisee is so underrated in terms of song quality and lyrics. Every song on the Good Fight is straight fire
antny6323
I was shocked! Sounds like mid 90s rap. I miss that sound.
Omar Shareef
Loving Oddisee music. The Good Fight is an amazing album. Front to back. His production which he does himself is also amazing.
OutsideTheoryTV
The only bad part about this song is that it doesn't have more views!!
TrillaPetzilla
Shout out to video game soundtracks for helping me discover new artists! Live 16 brought me here.
Yvng Sosa
TrillaPetzilla me too
Dale Scott
TrillaPetzilla word
Brian kirui Bor
Me too!...Oddisee killed this..
Edmond Williams Jr.
Well said my friend!
Russell Sticklor
Love this. Great work Oddisee.