ODDISEE, PEOPLE HEAR WHAT THEY SEE

Born Amir Mohamed el Khalifa, Oddisee has been a key figure in shaping the DMV movement, helping build a strong and focused hip-hop community in and around Washington DC. People Hear What They See is often considered his proper debut, though it feels more like a natural step forward in his steady evolution. The album is self-produced and blends sharp, thoughtful lyricism with a clean mix of soul, jazz, and boom-bap. Oddisee rarely raises his voice, but his words are clear, grounded, and deliberate. The record explores class, race, and personal identity without preaching and marked one of the first moments he began to receive the wider recognition he has long earned.