User:Glambutang/Apollo Brown and O.C. Trophies

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Trophies' is the fourth album by Detroit producer Apollo Brown and first collaboration with O.C. from Diggin' in the Crates Crew (DITCC) member, who provided lyrics and vocals for the album. The idea of the album is that hard work and dedication always pays off in a form of trophies such as expensive cars, beautiful women and expensive jewelry. Album produced in the classic Underground Hip Hop style that mashes the gritty and soulful, yet doesn’t sound dated.

Album was released on July 12, 2012, by Mello Music Group (MMG), but first release was announced for the January 5, 2012. Trophies received positive critical response from reputable music sources.

Background

Trophies is the second collaboration album of 2012 by underground Hip Hop producer Apollo Brown and first collaboration with O.C. a rapper from Brooklyn. The album title is coming from the idea that in today’s society “Trophies” are superficial awards as a result of one’s recognition, which are presented in a way of fancy cars, beautiful women and expensive jewelry. Getting trophies defines the point of life this days. While working on the album neither Apollo Brown nor OC were holding any activity, there were no tours neither concerts.

The release of the album first was announced on January 5. 2012 at HipHopDX. The album was released on July 12, 2012 as opposed to March 27, 2012 as first announced. The album was printed on both CD and Vinyl which seemed to be essential since, vinyl records provide the necessary feel for this genre music, and complements the style.

Collaboration

Trophies features Apollo Brown of Mello Music Group from Detroit (MMG) and O.C. of Diggin’ in the Crates Crew (DITCC) from New York. Only O.C and Apollo Brown were involved in production of the album, it was created from scratch. Apollo Brown provided the instrumentals and production, while O.C. provided the lyrics. Trophies was the first collaboration of Apollo Brown with O.C. Before the album only Apollo knew about O.C. but they never met before. After meeting each other both artists knew right away that the album will have a great future. “And we just got a chemistry and like I said, it just threw me back to nostalgia with Buck when we did the first album in like two months. We just had so much of a chemistry where we didn’t question each other or nothing. It was just you like this/yeah I love it. And that’s how me and Apollo hit it off. Dude is just…I say he is the next Premier. Not in the sense of sounding like Premier but I think he’s that next heir to that throne. Because his sound is just what it is. It’s Hip Hop” OC While working on the album both artists had to travel between New York and Detroit because Apollo Brown refused to work remotely, by doing so, they managed to provide album with life. After the release of album both artists did not hold any presentation events nor they had tours together. Album was presented on tours independently by Apollo Brown in Europe and North America, however.

Critics response

Trophies mainly received positive response from critics throughout reputable music sources such as metacritic.com and npr.org, and received multiple awards in certain music magazines for Best Album-Length Rap-Vocal Performance of 2012, Most Original Rap-Music Composition of the Year, Most Inspirational Hip-Hop Production, and Comeback Artist of the Year.

“Trophies' cinematic production and gritty emceeing keeps you at the edge of your seat, nodding your head the whole length of the album. With dope beats and dope rhymes, what more could we want?”

In best traditions of Underground Hip Hop, Trophies is one of those albums that is made by people who’s main goal is not money, or fame, it is made by people who love what they are doing, it is made with passion. The album was not advertised much, because it was made for people who really appreciates the genre, and would find out about the album through others.

Tracklist:

1. Trophies - 0:39

2. The Pursuit - 3:55

3. Prove Me Wrong - 3:57

4. Nautica - 3:55

5. Anotha One - 4:18

6. Disclaimer - 2:48

7. We The People - 4:11

8. Signs - 2:00

9. The First 48 - 4:03

10 Angels Sing - 4:02

11 Just Walk - 4:10

12 The Formula - 3:49

13 People's Champ - 4:08

14 Options - 3:10

15. Caught Up - 3:39

16. Fantastic - 2:13

Artists

Apollo Brown is a producer from Detroit member of Mello Music Group who is known for being one of the few artists who is providing 90’s style but still flows with modern trends is his work. Apollo really keeps his work done simple without using fancy technologies, he is using Cool Edit 2000 for editing and he is using old vinyl records for his samples that provide unique crisp sound to his instrumentals. Name Apollo Brown is coming from “Apollo” the Greek God of Music and Brown is just a common last name

O.C. (Omar Credle) is a rapper/emcee from New York who is a member of Diggin’ is the Crates Crew. His work is associated with underground Hip Hop. He started his career in 1991 with debut on Organized Konfusion’s “Fudge Pudge”. Later he was featured in remixes with Nas when he was just starting his Hip Hop career. And few years later in 1994 he signed with Diggin’ in the Crates Crew label. Before the Trophies O.C. did not know about Apollo Brown, but after getting to know each other, and realizing they have a lot in common it was no brainer that collaboration will work out.

Background on Underground Hip Hop

Underground Hip Hop started out in late 70s and was popular until middle 90s. Underground hip hop is slightly different from traditional hip hop. It is only promoted in small circles, and artists see different purpose. Lyrics usually are more explicit in determining issues in life that artists experience. Trophies follows best traditions of underground hip hop. Lyrics are very open and would never be allowed on the radio. And instrumentals have old school feel to it. That was the reason of why album was produced on vinyl records, to keep as close to genre as possible.

References

Hip Hop Underground - The Integrity and Ethics of Racial Identification By: Anthony Kwame Harrison; It's Bigger Than Hip Hop: The Rise of the Post-Hip-Hop Generation; http://mellomusicgroup.bandcamp.com/album/trophies; http://www.dungeonsofrap.com/2012/04/apollo-brown-oc-trophies-review.html; http://www.last.fm/music/Apollo+Brown+&+O.C.;