O.C.: NPR Music Tiny Desk Concert (Video)

As a member of Brooklyn rap collective Diggin' In The Crates, Omar Credle, aka O.C., helped shape what was known as the golden age of 1990s rap. Marked by loops sourced from jazz recordings and lyrics rooted in one-upmanship, O.C's two '90s albums, Word...Life and Jewelz established him as a rapper's rapper, an underground star.

O.C. was joined at his Tiny Desk by Soul'D U Out, a jazz ensemble led by Grammy-winning trumpeter Maurice "Mobetta" Brown. The live instrumentation replicated the sample-heavy original recordings perfectly. The crew kicked off the concert with "New Day," from O.C.'s 2017 album Same Moon Same Sun, which features young R&B singer Tay Bell on the hook.

The rest of the set was vintage cuts from O.C.'s heyday. "Day One," a D.I.T.C. posse cut, featured emcee and producer Lord Finesse, and the joy that poured forth during his verse belied its level of difficulty. (It reminded me that it'd been too long since I enjoyed a Lord Finesse album.) Then O.C. treated the crowd to a version of "Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers" (the one and only song by him, Jeru The Damaja and Chubb Rock). And of course, he had to fit in his seminal banger and arguably most popular song, "Time's Up," from Word...Life.

The finale got personal when O.C. relayed the importance of the song "Born 2 Live." "This is dedicated to a friend of mine who got killed down in Baltimore," he said. "Everytime I do this record, it's somber. ... But it's a celebration at the same time. So I'm a just party it out and have a good time with it." With a little help from Soul'D U Out, we did, too.

SET LIST
"New Day"
"Day One"
"Return of the Crooklyn Dodgers"
"Time's Up"
"Born 2 Live"

Rating:
  • Currently 0/5 stars.

Views: 78

Comment

You need to be a member of True Skool Network to add comments!

Join True Skool Network

Best guide to hip hop, soul, reggae concerts & events in San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles & New York City + music, videos, radio and more

Connect

Subscribe to E-Blast

WIN TICKETS

KRS-One
Friday, Jan 17 @ The Midway, SF

ScHoolboy Q
Saturday, May 17 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Lalah Hathaway
Friday-Sunday, Jan 24-26 @ Yoshi's, Oakland

Lettuce + GZA
Friday, Jan 24 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Tobe Nwigwe
Sunday, Mar 30 @ Fox Theater, Oakland

Members

Photos

  • Add Photos
  • View All

Latest Activity

Editor's Pick posted discussions
1 hour ago
realmuzik posted discussions
16 hours ago
Editor's Pick posted discussions
yesterday
Phillip Ranelli posted an event
Thumbnail

WINTICKETS 1/29-30 Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe featuring Nigel Hall of Lettuce at Sweetwater Music Hall, Mill Vallet, Ca

January 29, 2025 at 8pm to January 30, 2025 at 11:45pm
WINTICKETS 1/29-30 Sweewatre Music Hall presents  Karl Denson’s Tiny Universe feat: Nigel Hall of Lettuce Wed, January 29, 2025 & Thurs.Jan 30 Door 7pm Show 8pm  Sweetwater Music Hall    KDTU has electrified audiences around the world for over 25 years from the fields of Naeba in Japan at the infamous Fuji Rock Festival to the hallowed stage of Madison Square Garden where they previously…See More
yesterday
realmuzik posted discussions
Monday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Saturday
Phillip Ranelli posted an event
Thumbnail

WINTICKETS A celebration of Bob Marley’s 80th Birthday feat:Prezident Brown + DJ Sep at Broadway Studios, San Francisco

February 8, 2025 at 9pm to February 9, 2025 at 12am
Saturday, February 8, 2025 A celebration of Bob Marley’s 80th Birthday featuring a live performance by Prezident Brown plus DJ Sep   at Broadway Studios: 435 Broadway, San Francisco, CA 94133 | www.broadwaystudios.com | (415) 272-2743 9 pm – 21 and over - $25 advance ($28.52 with fees) at Eventbrite   A champion in the new roots reggae…See More
Friday
Tampa Mystic posted blog posts
Friday
Editor's Pick posted videos
Friday
Editor's Pick posted discussions
Jan 16
Artistpr posted blog posts
Jan 16
realmuzik posted discussions
Jan 15

© 2025   Created by Ren the Vinyl Archaeologist.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service