As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to rock the music and entertainment industry, artists have taken this time to reflect and create—for rapper and record producer, ODDISEE, coming down from the highs of tour, he sought this as time to be with his wife and daughter. 

The weeks progressed, and with social changes emerging, a new record was born from a place of fear and worry—Oddisee’s ODD CURE EP explores the cause of many inequalities present today as well as providing a soundtrack to our thoughts, hopes, and dreams.

In between each track of Odd Cure is a skit of you checking up on your family and friends, we felt it’s only right to check up on you as well—so how have you been, with all things considered? 

I’ve been well, thank you. Blessings come in disguise, not being able to travel has given more time with my family. I love having a routine, I feel less distracted these days so it’s easier for me to stick to my schedule & get things done.

You mentioned Odd Cure was a record you didn’t want to write but needed to—what was the trigger point that finally drove you to get up and create? Can you tell us about your work process?

It never feels good to see history repeat itself negatively. We’ve experienced pandemics & social injustice before. There have been a plethora of songs dedicated to the same adversities over the decades. It’s saddened me to make yet another musical contribution to the question that never seems to get answered, why don’t we care? I was motivated to write this album because I feel it’s my responsibility to reflect the times.

The whole record came together in under 8 weeks all while being in isolation and quarantine, did you find it challenging to write music that will outlive this period in time? 

Definitely, it was something that I had to remain conscious of. I chose to use metaphor when describing our current world. This way, if things change, the metaphor can be applied to something else. The fact that there will always be a “something else” is what makes music seem prophetic at times. 

How do you want your listeners to feel when listening to Odd Cure?

I want listeners of my work to feel however they wish. Art starts with intention & purpose but it always evolves through interpretation. I encourage that interpretation. Hearing how others consume my work helps me grow.