By Odeisel

Usually when you have a new producer and an older emcee, you get a sorry mix of contemporary production with a dated rap sound the defeats the whole point. Other times, the emcee has enough wherewithal to ride the new tracks and get his rhymes on that new wave.  Detroit’s Apollo Brown and legendary street rapper O.C. form like the Wonder Twins on the BANGER, “People’s Champ” from their collaborative effort Trophies.

First off, Apollo conjures his inner Just Blaze with a huge sound that explodes at certain intervals. The track incorporates the 90s with an M.O.P. vocal sample that couples the Mash Out Posse’s innate fury with the emotional crescendo brought on by organs and key work. It just sounds like a big record, even though in all likelihood its destined for indie speakers and heads, not mass consumption.

O.C. does not sound like a has been rapper. His delivery is crisp and at no point does he get drowned out or left behind by the beat. He raps about how good he s, how good you aren’t and various other things that have gone along with his style for the duration of his career. Fans can rejoice that he’s not trying to get the attention of kids or new wave fans; he stick to his script and updates his flow and that’s all you can ask for on this.

If the Trophies album is full of hardcore Hip-Hop like this, then it will certainly be a worthy purchase. It’s not easy to rhyme hardcore without slapping people, holding heat and trying to bang someone’s girl all the time, but O.C. has made a career out of executing just that kind of music. It’s a credit to his skill and definitely trophy worthy. Perhaps that why many in the underground herald him as the “People’s Champ.” Enjoy.

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