Artist One Block Radius
Album Self-Titled
Released 2008
Label Island Def Jam Records
The alternative rap trio from California, One Block Radius, their major-label debut in 2008. The group draws from a wide array of influences including the Pharcyde and De la Soul as well as Sublime and Hall & Oates.
Conceived somewhere in a magical and far away land called L.A. and born in North Hollywood studio, lovingly deemed, “The Dump,” hip-hop trio, One Block Radius, is hardly a newcomer act to the music scene. Formed in 2003, Marty James, MDA and Z-Man started hanging out together, talking music together, and basically putting their (block)heads together. The result: clever lyrics and hooks mixed with smooth vocals (thanks to Marty James and MDA) and charismatic raps (thanks to Z-Man) mashed up with eclectic beats rich in hip-hop, r&b and alternative auricular treats.
Their self-titled debut album (released by Mercury/Island Def Jam Records) possesses the same miscellany of musical and lyrical magic that is found in “Long Story Short” and “Cut Some Static,” yet it also embraces the innovative qualities that satisfy both O.G. and new Blockheads alike. “Choc-O-Lot” infuses robotic vocals with fun 80s-dance-party grooves and enticing lyrics such as “sticky sweet like candy/my ice cream dream/my choc-o-lot,” which will surely cause you to bob your head, do the robot and shimmy all at the same time. “All On Our Own” and “You Got Me” serve as love letters that make the ladies swoon, and of course, ballad “Wantin’ U Back” and sexy track “Shoplifta” produces the same girls-wanting-to-tear-at-their-clothes effects. While they are able to poke fun at the joys of “slackerisms” and regular Joe Shmos in “Screwin’ It Up,” they are are also able to generate songs with a message such as “Steppin’ Away,” “Watch It” and “Ever Known.” And just when you think these guys have done it all, One Block Radius does not cease to amaze as they exude their hip-hop nitty-gritty bad-ass abilities in cuts like “Dead Man on the Radio,” “We On” and “Stand Up.”
Put this album in heavy rotation, and you will know why OBR is taking their block party beyond the neighborhood and then some, “You and me can take over the world, baby.”
Now who can turn down an invitation like that?
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