Being Underrated

Bit of a Twitter rant I went on after landing a spot on a 10 most underrated producers list. I definitely view my career & success differently. I touched on it a bit in the rant below.

Diablog: Help Me Get My Girl Back

Got this email yesterday, Homie wants to rap over a Diamond District Instrumental to get his girl back. Good Luck! read below.

------Original Message------
From: J T
To: @gmail.com
Subject: Diamond District--First Time--
Sent: Jul 27, 2010 10:17 AM

Yo,

my name is J and I'm from Germany. I'm writing you because I need your help. I want to rap a song for my girl to get her back. And the beat of your song First Time is perfect for my rap. Therefore I need your help to get the instrumental of that song. I'm a normal student in Germany of a technical university and i don't want to make money with that song. I just want to get my girl back by my own rhyme on your track. Please...Oddisee I'm talking to you as a brother from east-africa (Eritrea).I really need ya help

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

from	Amir Mohamed
to		@gmail.com
date		Tue, Jul 27, 2010 at 12:00 PM
subject		Re: District--First Time--
mailed-by		gmail.com

Hello J,

Here you go, I hope it helps brother.

Good luck,
Amir

Diablog: Odd Autumn Played In Church?

I've received emails from soldiers in Iraq telling me my music gets them through the day. I've received emails saying my music has saved a relationship. I've received emails saying my music is another artist inspiration. This email however will go at the top of the list of emails that made me smile.

from JS to @gmail.com date Tue, Jan 19, 2010 at 12:25 AM Hey, just wanted to send some shout-outs. I’m a Pastor that digs on all your stuff. Thought you’d get a kick out of this. Before service starts, we have some background music going and we’ve been playing a lot of Odd Autumn. Thanks for making great music. Can’t play the other stuff at church, but man……….digging it all. Love diamond district and mental liberation the most. See ya, from Amir to JS date Tue, Jan 19, 2010 at 12:32 AM subject Re: Thank you so much, it means allot to me to know my music can be played and appreciated in a house of faith. Be in the look out for new material soon, peace.

Diablog: I'm Sorry But No

RealHipHop December 21, 2009 at 7:26pm

hey Oddisee how are you?

im french. can you make me a favor?
i make this page for real hip hop lovers, and i wanna make other blogs, myspace... ONLY FOR REAL HIP HOP!!!
i wanna make my publicity.
can you make me a pic of you, with a paper on your hand with written "real hip hop"???
i ask that to rappers, graffers, models... all over the world.
i think of you because in france you are a big head of real hip hop, and you can be a very good publicity for me to start.
tell me if you are ok or no, its a simple pic for you, but a big big big favor for me. in exchange if you want i can make publicity for you.
i hope you understand me because my english is a little bad.
thanks ;-)

RealHipHop January 4 at 11:47am

hi, happy new year!!!
do you got my message?

Amir Mohamed January 4 at 12:02pm

Hello and happy new year. If you'd like a traditional radio drop, I'd be glad to do one for you. Holding a sign up how ever I won't, peace.

RealHipHop January 4 at 12:07pm

ok thanks, i just wanna a pic of you like the pic of my profile ( ) to make my publicity. for real hip hop lovers.
if you need a favor in exchange, no problem, tell me.
tell me if you are ok for the pic, sorry for my bad english lol.
peace

Amir Mohamed January 4 at 1:34pm

Hello again, I don't think you understood me. I am always happy to help promote hip hop but I do not do it by holding up signs in pictures. Once again I'm sorry, peace.

Diablog: The internet makes us all to accessible

Any one can ask you anything on the internet, some of it is just funny by accident.

Clear Chat History

6:46pmFrench Dude

yo

6:47pmAmir

yo

yo

6:47pmFrench Dude

kon and amir?

kon and amir?

6:47pmAmir

no, I'm Oddisee

6:47pmFrench Dude

do n you make hip hop

6:47pmAmir

but my real name is Amir

6:47pmFrench Dude

ok

i know oddisee

6:47pmAmir

http://www.oddiseemusic.blogspot.com

6:47pmFrench Dude

firend of kev brown

6:47pmAmir

yes

6:48pmFrench Dude

and low budecjt

you have produce

6:48pmAmir

yes

6:48pmFrench Dude

Wordsworth gotta pay

dooooooooooooooope beat

6:48pmAmir

yup, that's me.

6:48pmFrench Dude

kool

Diablog: Advice... Even When You Don't Ask For It

This is a myspace message I got from a producer from Carlow, Ireland. He thinks I have potential and that makes me happy....

28/2009 3:34 PM
To: ODDISEE:

Just came by ya page.
im definaty feelin your music you got alot of potential.
im feelin that first track you gotta tweak the vocals a lil bit though because theres alot goin on in that track some of the lyrics are gettin lost in the track if you get me!!
make tracks as simple as you can!
most the time simple tracks are the best you know!
you got a good vibe about you though!
and thats a credit to you because iv produced for alot of artists and theres alot more whack artists on the net than talented ones! so keep up the good work
you have any new projects comin up?
get at me!

Diablog: Where'd You Get That Jacket?

Date:

Jul 26, 2009 3:20 PM

Subject:

ask...

Body:

hey oddisee. my name is _ _ _ _ _ and i'm from poland. i'm a big fan of your music... i've just looked through your myspace gallery and found there a pho to where you worn nice jacket. could you tell me the brand, model, etc...? i know that's stupid but i'm looking for jacket like that for long time and it could bereallyhelpfull for me. here

thanks.

much love from poland,

l.

Jul 27, 2009 12:20 AM

Subject:

RE: ask...

Body:

hey there, I actually got that jacket from H & M last year. They might not have the exact jacket but they usually will have something similar every year. Good luck & I hope you find it, peace.

Diablog: A Good Label Owner

A well established label hit me up a few days ago interested in Diamond District & my future projects. These are the type of emails I liked opening.

from Label to Amir (Yes, this is you.) Learn more date Tue, Jul 21, 2009 at 3:28 PM subject Label mailed-by

hide details Jul 21 (5 days ago)

Peace. Wanted to build about doing some work together. let me know who i can reach out to.

Thanks

Label

____________________________________

Amir to Label date Tue, Jul 21, 2009 at 3:35 PM subject Re: Label mailed-by

hide details Jul 21 (5 days ago)

Hello there & thank you for reaching out to us. What us it you had in mind? Peace.

Oddisee

______________________________________________________

Label to Amir date Tue, Jul 21, 2009 at 6:45 PM subject Re: Label

hide details Jul 21 (5 days ago)

i would like to see what your plans are for your next albums. both for you and the group. any thoughts about what kind of situation are you looking for, if any? maybe we can sit down and discuss. The label is based in _ _ _ _ _ but i grew up in MD and go to visit family from time to time. probably gonna be there in the next few weeks. you guys still stay in DC area?

__________________________________________________________________

from Amir to Label date Tue, Jul 21, 2009 at 5:05 PM subject Re: Label mailed-by googlemail.com

hide details Jul 21 (5 days ago)

We've had a few offers on the table for our next album but we won't look in to them until the album is done. As for my self, I have a few offers as well for my solo. Peter Rosenberg and company are looking to push me to a major when my record is complete. My self and the group are still very interested in any offers as nothing is in concrete yet.

I'm in London at the moment and should be home in the first week of august.

Here's my number

In the mean time, if you'd like to reach me here's my online info.

Googlechat:

Skype:

IChat:

I'm online now, peace.

__________________________________________________________

from Label to "amir date Tue, Jul 21, 2009 at 5:19 PM subject Label

hide details Jul 21 (5 days ago)

Cool let's just keep talking cause I think _ _ _ _ _ would be a great home for you all. Not sure if you are familiar with the label but send your address and I'll get you some of our recent releases.

____________________________________________________________

from Amir to Label date Tue, Jul 21, 2009 at 5:40 PM subject Re: Label mailed-by gmail.com

hide details Jul 21 (5 days ago)

No doubt, looking forward to hearing what you have to offer. I'll check you out on line in a sec.

Here's my address:

Washington, DC

20002

Feel free to send MP3's or links to check projects out. No need to mail anything if it's easier, peace.

This could be promising......

Diablog: The Label Owner

this is a real conversation I had with a label owner. when I asked to be payed this is what happened.

person X (11:32:24 AM): Nothing, project has little to no budget
person X (11:32:31 AM): We paid ___________ 250
person X (11:32:38 AM): And he is who he is
oddisee (11:32:53 AM): he ain't nobody to me
oddisee (11:32:57 AM): please don't name drop
oddisee (11:33:11 AM): he aint been tight since his first album
oddisee (11:33:16 AM): but that doesn't matter
oddisee (11:33:37 AM): its just... I trully don't have time to work if I don't benefit from it
oddisee (11:33:58 AM): you're with distro I aint heard of and payin next to nuthin on a beat I prolly aint gonna feel
oddisee (11:34:10 AM): no disrespect I like you
oddisee (11:34:24 AM): but I make music for a living so i can live to make music
oddisee (11:34:29 AM): I manage my self
oddisee (11:34:40 AM): so I gotta look out for me
person X (11:35:51 AM): Ok we understand
person X (11:35:58 AM): Its worth asking
oddisee (11:36:07 AM): I fuck with what your doing
oddisee (11:36:12 AM): just not how you doing it
person X (11:36:28 AM): Well our distro doesn't give us advances
oddisee (11:36:39 AM): they're not suppose to
person X (11:36:41 AM): We are rubbing pennies to make a spark
oddisee (11:36:45 AM): your a label
person X (11:37:03 AM): Not a funded label
oddisee (11:37:09 AM): well....I've been there and i'm past that point and i'm tryna go further
person X (11:37:16 AM): We are musicans tryin to make something happen
person X (11:37:24 AM): I understand
oddisee (11:37:25 AM): as am I
oddisee (11:38:42 AM): dont ge me wrong, i aint all about money but again "i make music for a living so i can live to make music". how many of your artist work day jobs?
oddisee (11:38:47 AM): i aint tryna do that
person X (11:39:21 AM): We all do
person X (11:39:32 AM): We are not in a postion to just make music
oddisee (11:39:43 AM): i'm sorry to hear that
oddisee (11:39:53 AM): i ain't had a 9 to 5 since 04
oddisee (11:39:58 AM): tryna keep it that way
oddisee (11:40:02 AM): feel me?
person X (11:41:10 AM): Yes and no
person X (11:41:20 AM): I respect ur postion
oddisee (11:42:00 AM): only reason i'm even talking to you right now is cuz i care
person X (11:42:22 AM): I feel ya
oddisee (11:42:32 AM): really?
person X (11:43:06 AM): Well again yes and no
person X (11:43:20 AM): U shitted on one of my fav mcs a mins ago
person X (11:43:30 AM): Who charges 2500 a verse
person X (11:43:57 AM): And who rocked with us bc he likes our music
oddisee (11:44:51 AM): did I?
oddisee (11:44:58 AM): i dont shit on people?
person X (11:45:01 AM): The ________ comment
oddisee (11:45:08 AM): you must be talking bout honsety
oddisee (11:45:22 AM): am i wrong for what i said?
oddisee (11:45:50 AM): _________ aint hot in the streets right now cuzin
oddisee (11:46:05 AM): forgive me for being blunt
oddisee (11:46:10 AM): i'm a _________ fan to
oddisee (11:46:20 AM): that track he did with ________ was dope!
oddisee (11:46:37 AM): but i aint suprised you got him for 250
person X (11:46:59 AM): We paid 400 for the track with ________
oddisee (11:47:09 AM): beond him reaching out to you cuz he like what ya'll doin...he doin what any smart artist would do.......he tryna saty relavent
person X (11:47:15 AM): But the track with him and_______ and _______ was 250
oddisee (11:47:41 AM): you act like i'm asking for a million dollars
oddisee (11:47:50 AM): i'd do a verse for you also
oddisee (11:48:25 AM): but what i wont do is...allow you to call me a ''local up and coming artist" and expect me to do it for free
person X (11:48:29 AM): No dollars and sense who would get us more record sales if we are speaking money
person X (11:48:45 AM): I am asking to rock the track if u feelin it
person X (11:48:52 AM): Because u are from the area
oddisee (11:49:11 AM): i'm sayin if i feel the track can i get paid for the verse?
person X (11:49:11 AM): Not the up and comin thing
person X(11:52:19 AM): I dunno I will ask the dude
oddisee (11:53:09 AM): i say i aint work a 9 to 5 since 04 and say "i'm tryna keep it that way, feel me?" and you say "yes and no" as if i'm expected to work a shitty job and do what i love on the side, and when i do get a chance to make music, i'm supposed to do it for free? to what...."keep it real"?
oddisee (11:54:05 AM): to me it sounds as if you dont think a verse from me is worth much
oddisee (11:54:14 AM): and believe me thats a disscount
person X (11:57:41 AM): Its kinda like punching me in the nose and asking if the blood tastes good
person X (11:58:16 AM): If I had money to spend on everyones verse on this album then the album would cost around 8k
person X (11:58:46 AM): I was lookin for this track to be a local track
person X (11:58:57 AM): I heard ur tracks liked em
person X (11:59:06 AM): And then asked u
person X (11:59:23 AM): I am not tryin to be little what u are doing
person X (11:59:39 AM): And not askin for some cheesy shit on love or keepin it real
oddisee (11:59:50 AM): i hope not
person X (11:59:58 AM): If u like the track rock on it
oddisee (12:00:16 PM): but cut corners on somebody elses verses not me cuzin
person X (12:00:47 PM): That's fine and understandable
oddisee (12:01:50 PM): if your tryna make sumthin happen and be about the music...why do you name drop so much?
person X (12:04:00 PM): Not name dropiin just comparing what u asked for and what we have already paid
oddisee (12:04:19 PM): nah i'm talkin in previous convos
person X (12:04:25 PM): Plus u prob never even heard our material
person X (12:05:04 PM): Some of the people I speak with only care who u are working with
oddisee (12:05:17 PM): i understand that
oddisee (12:05:19 PM): i aint them
oddisee (12:05:26 PM): i hate name dropping
person X (12:06:11 PM): Well everyone is differnet
person X (12:07:38 PM): No one really cares about the dc metro music scene they have written it off as go go music
person X (12:07:56 PM): So sometimes u have to fight the tide
oddisee (12:07:59 PM): really???????
oddisee (12:08:07 PM): i get press and shine all the time
oddisee (12:08:19 PM): i hate to name drop but have you seen the new scratch mag?
person X (12:08:28 PM): Nope
oddisee (12:08:29 PM): i'm doin aight cuzin
person X (12:08:45 PM): U been in the game longer
oddisee (12:08:52 PM): people interview me on the d.c. hiphop scene all the time
oddisee (12:09:02 PM): i had cats come do dvd's on the d.c. metro
person X (12:09:13 PM): Plus hate to say it u are black
person X (12:09:32 PM): I run in to a lot of road blocks bc I am white
oddisee (12:10:12 PM): really??????????
oddisee (12:10:21 PM): i aint heard that b4
oddisee (12:10:38 PM): scott free from d.c and he a&r'd loud records for years
person X (12:11:09 PM): Yea well some people are ushered in
person X (12:11:27 PM): But when u start from the ground up its hard
person X (12:11:43 PM): Specially when most white people in this game are distrusated
oddisee (12:11:57 PM): i see
oddisee (12:12:09 PM): thats a side of the game i dont know about
person X (12:15:31 PM): Well its there unfortuantley
oddisee (12:16:05 PM): i always thought white people ran the game
oddisee (12:16:20 PM): and got oppurtunties faster than blacks
oddisee (12:16:43 PM): you run a label right? and you signed artist right? and you got distro right?
person X (12:17:59 PM): Well actually asian people run the game
person X (12:18:10 PM): And people from the middle east
oddisee (12:18:29 PM): word?
oddisee (12:18:35 PM): not jews?
oddisee (12:20:27 PM): yo, i gotta step. got some verses to record for some over seas mixtapes
oddisee (12:20:31 PM): nice talkin to ya
oddisee (12:20:33 PM): peace

Diablog: The Show That Never Happened

I Really wanted to make this show happen but some times rappers are hard to get in contact with. (This is a mobile text dialog, absolutely nothing was changed)

20 May 2009 01:38 AM

Rapper: Yall wanna open

Oddisee: Sure

Oddisee: When & Where?

21 May 2009 12:55 PM

Oddisee: Let me know when and where homie. _ _ _ _ _ got a job, he works Sun-Wens. If the show falls on one of those days he needs to let his job know, peace. How you been man!?

26 May 2009 02:13 AM

Rapper: Why aren't u performin?

31 May 2009 02:54 AM

Rapper: Why u not performnat _ _ _ _ _?

Oddisee: Hey, what up? I responded to you asap when you hit me on 5/19. Told you _ _ _ _ _ needed time to get off work. Never heard back from you & his new schedule came out. It's all good though, next time.

Oddisee: When is your next _ _ _ _ _ gig? Let's set it up proper for then. Appreciate the invite still.

Rapper: I'm not even sure

Oddisee: No worries then , inshallah next time.

9 June 2009 07:14 AM

Rapper: blank message

Oddisee: Hey, saw you sent a text but it came through blank, what up? I'm in London at the moment, email me if you can, much cheaper. Email: _ _ _ _ _@gmail.com

Oddisee: You get my last text? I know you busy, holler when you get a sec.

And I Haven't Heard From Him Since.......

Diablog?

when you manage your own career you have no middle man, no buffer, no person to be the asshole for you. I'm going to start posting some of more, how you say... interesting dialogs I've had with promoters, labels, producers, artists, etc..... enjoy.

The Frenchmen That "Keeps It Real" "For The Love"

----------------- Original Message -----------------
From:
To: ODDISEE:
Date: Jul 22, 2009 6:06 AM
Subject: 90's breaks collabo ODDISEE


YO!! Whats up !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
its _ _ _ _ _ (producer) & _ _ _ _ _(emcee) FROM PARIS
we contact you for real hip hop we have see a video of you
you are very dope
we works on a Project boom bap EP cd for release in september
we have choice you for make a song with _ _ _ _ _
ninetees 90's vibes boom bap
give me your email if you are ok for sent the beat we can give you beats for your project too
say me if you are ok its can be good for get show in france
peace

i know you are producer very good producer
but i know you are emcee too

----------------- Original Message -----------------
De : ODDISEE:
A : _ _ _ _ _
Date : 22 juil. 2009, 15:22
Objet : RE: 90's breaks collabo ODDISEE


Thank you for contacting me. I'm always down to collab with other artists. Music is my job so i do charge. here are my prices.

16 Bars- $
full song- $

If that's ok let me know, peace.

------------ Original Message ------------

I understand you
but 1st its expensive
and we cant pay
we just do it for love music boom bap hip hop
not buissness because industrie is dead
its hard
no problem

RE: RE: 90's breaks collabo ODDISEE

Body:

No problem, I understand. I make my living doing what I love, so I know all about doing it for the love. The industry is alive and well my friend, it's the reason I'm able to make money to feed my self from music.
Doing what you love to do for free does not mean you're doing it for the love. You see, I love hiphop so much that if I had to do anything else to make money and take time away from making hiphop , I would go crazy.
So when you say you are doing it for the love, does that mean anyone asking for money is not?

I make music for a living so I can live to make music.

Peace.