Oddisee facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Oddisee
Oddisee performing live
Background information
Birth name	Amir Mohamed el Khalifa
Born	(1985-02-24) February 24, 1985 (age 40) Washington, D.C., U.S.
Origin	Largo, Maryland, U.S.
Genres	Hip hop
Occupation(s)	Rapper record producer
Years active	1999–present
Labels	Halftooth Records Mello Music Group Oddisee Music All City Records Outer Note Label
Associated acts	Low Budget Crew Diamond District

Amir Mohamed el Khalifa (born on February 24, 1985), known as Oddisee, is an American rapper and music producer. He is from Washington, D.C.. Oddisee is a member of the hip hop group Diamond District. He was also part of the Low Budget Crew. Today, he lives in Brooklyn, New York.

Early Life and Background

Oddisee was born in Washington, D.C.. His mother was African-American and his father was Sudanese. He grew up in Silver Spring, Maryland, and also in Prince George's County, Maryland. After finishing high school, he moved back to Washington, D.C.

Music Career Highlights

Oddisee has released many albums and mixtapes. In 2010, he released an album called Traveling Man. His mixtape Odd Spring was named one of the best local hip-hop mixtapes of 2010 by the Washington Post.

In 2011, he released Rock Creek Park. This mixtape was chosen as "Mixtape of the Week" by Stereogum. He also released Odd Seasons that year. This was a collection of shorter music releases from the past year.

Oddisee released his studio album People Hear What They See in 2012. In 2013, he released The Beauty in All, which was an album of instrumental music. He also put out Tangible Dream that same year.

In 2015, his album The Good Fight came out. He released an EP (a shorter album) called Alwasta in 2016. He also released a mixtape called The Odd Tape. His album The Iceberg was released in 2017. He also released a live album, Beneath the Surface, in 2017. His most recent album, To What End, was released in 2023.

Musical Style and Influences

Oddisee's music is inspired by different styles. He was first influenced by Black American jazz music. He also loved the "Golden Age" of hip-hop. This was a time when many famous hip-hop artists created their music.

Growing up, he lived next door to Gary Shider, a bass player for the famous band Parliament Funkadelic. This had a big impact on Oddisee's music. He is also influenced by gospel music and the singing traditions of his Black American heritage.

Oddisee has said that he was influenced by early East Coast rappers. These include groups like Eric B. & Rakim, De La Soul, and A Tribe Called Quest. He liked that their songs often talked about everyday life. He felt he could connect with their lyrics.

Discography

Oddisee performing at the Appletree Garden Festival in Diepholz, Germany, 2016

Oddisee at Treefort Music Fest in Boise, Idaho, 2018

Studio Albums

• 101 (2008)
• Mental Liberation (2009)
• Traveling Man (2010)
• People Hear What They See (2012)
• The Beauty in All (2013)
• Tangible Dream (2013)
• The Good Fight (2015)
• The Iceberg (2017)
• To What End (2023)

Live Albums

• Beneath the Surface (2017)

Compilation Albums

• Odd Seasons (2011)

Mixtapes

• Odd Summer (2009)
• Odd Autumn (2009)
• Odd Winter (2010)
• Odd Spring (2010)
• Rock Creek Park (2011)
• The Odd Tape (2016)

EPs

• Good Tree (2008)
• Hear My Dear (2008)
• Alwasta (2016)
• Odd Cure (2020)
• And Yet Still (2024)

Singles

• "Show You" / "Part of the World" (2006)
• "Once Again" (2006)
• "101" (2008)
• "Slow It Down" (2012)
• "That's Love" (2015)