Largo-raised rapper and producer Oddisee moved to Brooklyn in 2010, but as he proclaimed on his 2020 cut “No Skips,” he’s “forever in a PG frame of mind.” Born Amir Mohamed el Khalifa, Oddisee once spit rhymes at open-mic nights in U Street Northwest establishments. In 2009, he became a part of the local group Diamond District with rappers Uptown XO and yU the 78er—coincidentally, the three met on U Street. Together they released the critically acclaimed album In the Ruff. In 2011, Oddisee showed his local roots further with the highly touted, largely instrumental album Rock Creek Park, which includes a song titled “Carter Barron.” Oddisee’s musical approach is rooted in classic hip-hop with word-packed verses and head-nodding beats built from funk and jazz that are sometimes played by a band, not a DJ. The Black and Sudanese artist, who is Muslim, addressed post-9/11 Islamophobia on his 2016 song “Lifting Shadows,” and on 2020’s Odd Cure album, he wrestles lyrically with COVID, gentrification, and relationships, while adding in various DMV musical and lyrical nods. Oddisee play at 7 p.m. on Dec. 18 at 9:30 Club in Northwest. 930.com $30.
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