(Hieroglyphics Imperium)

The D.I.T.C man OC, is back. And this time without the babysitters from the label and A&R suggesting which way he focuses his efforts. And when he does his own thing, his skills are allowed to reign supreme. Let’s get this straight from the very beginning – this album is gold. Emotions is exactly that. A sublime track; mellow lyrics and reflective thoughts abound. It is a special artist that can reflect a song title into a song so simply, so accurately. OC does it ornately.

Guns and Butter is a mere once off look at the gangsta life – “I’m more sicker than that Maybach Benz you lay back in”. Even when he is playing the tough guy role, it suits. It doesn’t get corny, nor does it get repetitive. Note, this is not an album of violence and crime – rather it sums up the life of a black man whose perceptions are realistic but his demeanor doesn’t allow it to get him down. Unlike much of the gangsta rap today, OC doesn’t behave as though the world owes him something – rather it makes me feel like he wants to give something back. He explores the contradictions of life and the two faced nature of many of its elements, hence the album title.

Ever since my first introduction to OC with Starchild [an album of which only 20,000 copies were pressed although Pete Rock would like to do something about that apparently], I realised I had, like many, been sleeping on this artist. This time, I guess the world will have to stand up and take notice. This Brooklyn rapper does what the artists from the East have, over the years, done so well. Delivered focused lyrics without the sympathy factor – and dropped it over production that is tight, minimal and funky.

Smoke and Mirrors is summed perfectly with this lyric: “I walk through fire with gasoline drawers, not for shock value I do it just cause, this hip-hop thing, I don’t do it for the applause.” This is at times dark, other times clubby – but always entertaining and most certainly absolutely rock solid. A must have for fans of the East – Wu Tang and Gang Starr style – OC has grown, matured and developed into what Nas was born with – lyrical dope-ness.