If you’ve visited Potholes over the past month or so, you likely know that Trek Life’s highly anticipated album, Everything Changed Nothing, is available today on iTunes. Well, the promotion for the ever-optimistic Cali emcee is far from over. We’ve got here another single from Trek Life, and it’s mighty fine. On “As The World Turns” Trek delivers some personal bars over a fantastic Oddisee beat. Give it a stream and let us know what you think! Hit the skip for the download.

Download: Trek Life – “As The World Turns” [Right Click, Save-As]

Those who have been following Potholes should be quite familiar by now with the name Trek Life. The up-and-coming Los Angeles emcee has outrageous talent and is proving that for once, good guys can finish first. After releasing a steady stream of music over the past two years, Trek is preparing to release his latest LP, Everything Changed Nothing, produced by Oddisee. We got a chance to catch up with Trek for a nice chat about the new album, his inspiration and his unfailing optimism. Hit the skip to read his thoughts, and to get a never-before-told story:

PIMB: How are things in Trek’s world? What’s been going on this summer?

Trek: We just got some sun out here in L.A. so my little girl and I have just been spending time at the beach pretty much every weekend. Other than that, I’ve been getting ready for the album. There have been a lot of video shoots, random exclusive joints that have to be done and songs that I have to do that have to be turned in for other people. So right now, it’s just been work and the beach.

PIMB: There’s an interesting story behind how you and Oddisee first met, which he explains briefly at the beginning of New Money. Can you dig into that a bit more for us?

Trek: My homeboy introduced us. I was out here [in L.A.] with J-Live when they were on tour and Move.meant was opening for them. So at random I got a last minute phone call – I was just at the crib watching Family Guy – and my homeboy said I had to come through and meet somebody. So I roll through and he introduced me to Oddisee, and Odd gave me the whole spiel. He said he was looking for an artist to work with in L.A. I was already familiar with his work so I said I’m up for whatever you’re trying to do.

Another part of that story that’s never really been told before is that at the time it was actually between me and another local rapper. Oddisee started working with both of us, and I don’t know how much it was actually between us two emcees, but Oddisee and I really hit it off from the moment we were introduced. We had a mutual understanding of each other. We had the same goals in mind musically. We started hanging out and working, and from there it just blossomed into a remix album.

PIMB: You have met a fair share of challenges in your life, yet you seem to persevere. Can you describe what life was like for you before Price I’ve Paid and New Money? Was it difficult trying to come up as an artist in Los Angeles?

Trek: The answer to that is somewhat of a yes. I didn’t really come from that kind of L.A. family where there are big aspirations for the kids to grow up and be a big actor or star. My sister was into that, but we were kind of just regular, day-to-day working people. My father told me I had to get a job in L.A. and that I can’t just run around trying to be a rapper. And honestly at times it was pretty tough; there were tough adjustments along the way. I had a very cut-and-dry upbringing. The actual climb itself of doing the music and being recognized for whatever challenges I had, really came once I started putting my life experience on paper rather than just rapping for the sake of rapping – just matching words. The minute I started to write what was really going on in my mind and what I was going through day-today, I saw a complete turnaround. I was about 23 at that time, and everything automatically turned around.

PIMB: You recently went on tour through Europe with Oddisee, Fashawn and more. What was that experience like for you?

Trek: I don’t want to say the European scene is really new, but it is new enough that they still have an appreciation for hip-hop because hip-hop is different enough from their everyday culture that it can be highly interesting to them. The crowds are a little more receptive for new artists at least. That said, it was Trek Life and Diamond District on tour. When we met up with Fashawn, Blu and Exile, the shows were just bananas because every artist on the bill could perform. You know, I consider myself a top-level performer, and I was an opening act. So when there’s that much energy in one show, the audience’s engagement level is just crazy from start to finish. yU is one of my favorite emcees, as well as XO, and I grew up with Blu & Exile so I was very familiar with them. But I wanted to see Fashawn personally, so I was in the crowd for his set. It was great. I got to have the experience of performing with people who are at least equally as talented as myself in front of an extremely receptive crowd, and I got to be a fan at the same time.

PIMB: Your music has a very positive outlook. Did your optimism come naturally, or was it something you were taught while you were growing up?

Trek: My mom’s the optimist. That’s 100 percent where that comes from. My dad is kind of an optimist, but he’s more of a “you better get your ass out there and work” type person. My mom always told me, “Just keep it moving. Tomorrow’s a brighter day; tomorrow’s a better day; tomorrow’s another day.” She’s focused on getting to the next step, so that’s 100 percent my mom right there.

PIMB: Let’s dig into the new album, Everything Changed Nothing. The first track “Ready to Live” is an absolute gem, and sets the stage for the rest of the album very nicely. What was your motivation behind this track?

Trek: It’s similar to the theory behind “Can’t Complain” off the Rhymes Within Reason album. I was having a real shitty day. I think it was in the middle of the most f***ed up week I can ever remember having. Trying to write under those circumstances for me is often really difficult. I don’t like to write those type of songs where you seem upset at everything that’s going on, only to look back and think, “well, I wasn’t really feeling that way.” When I sat down to write “Ready to Live” I wanted to write the exact opposite of what was going on. I wanted to write the happiest song possible, and hopefully it gets me out of this – and it actually worked. Sometimes just writing down things that are good is all you need. Some people heard that song and thought it was a knock on the Ready to Die thing, but it wasn’t even like that. So many people I know have these negative circumstances, and I wanted them to look at all the positive things going on instead.

PIMB: L.A. has a notably strong music scene, and a long-running history with hip-hop. How has the West Coast, and Los Angeles in particular influenced the brand of music that you create?

Trek: The Pharcyde era. Pharcyde, Funkdoobiest and Dilated [Peoples]. I guess you could really call it the Unity Era. Freestyle Fellowship also. It was exciting to me because at the time I was a teenager, and I could really enjoy it. I was going to Unity and to clubs to see Aceyalone perform, and I attempted to battle Myka 9. That scene appealed to me because I could get involved. It was also a nice alternative to the cliché perspective of L.A. hip-hop – the gangsta era and drug dealers.

PIMB: Everything Changed Nothing is quite the interesting title. Is there a specific meaning to this title?

Trek: I was with my daughter, and you can’t fathom the amount you can love a person or anything more than you can your child. So I’m sitting there thinking of all I have to do for my daughter. As I hold her, I think how even as I have everything that I’ve ever wanted right in my hands, nothing in the outside world changes. People are still outside hustling. People still tell stories about ridiculous things that they say they’ll do, but really can’t. You know, ultimately, it’s the internal changes that we make that matter most. The album is extremely internal in that regard. I’m talking about everything that means anything to me, but I’m also telling you that the outside world does not always change.

PIMB: Do you have a particular favorite track from the Everything Changed Nothing? What do you hope that fans take away from the album?

Trek: It first was “As The World Turns”, but now I’m more partial to “Might Sound Crazy”. And, ultimately I want to be in that list of rappers you talk about. You talk about Blu, Von Pea, Jay [Electronica], Fashawn – I feel I should be in that list. Everyone feels they should be in that list. I want people to look at me and think I can give stories, I can rhyme, and I can do it all. I feel like for some reason, and maybe it’s promotion, I haven’t been able to make that list for a large amount of people. I’m hoping in the end I can be placed on the list of elite, up-and-coming emcees. And just as a general feeling, I want people to walk away from Everything Changed Nothing with a positive outlook on life. I want people to know that they should never quit. I want people to be inspired to take positive actions toward living a better life.

PIMB: Thanks for taking the time to chop it up with us. Any final words for the fans out there?

Trek: Me putting out records constantly – that’s just the attitude of a person who never quits. And to anyone who aspires to be anything big, you know, the cameras will be flashing and you’ll be marketable, as long as you focus on being dope.

You can grab the mixtape after the jump and stream the track “Don Cornelius” below.

Download: Oddisee – West Coast Beats

Hit the skip to download Before Everything Changed.

Download: Trek Life – Before Everything Changed

You can stream “Jackin4Beats Pt. 1″ below and download the whole damn compilation after the jump.

Download: Various Assets – Not For Sale: Red Bull Music Academy London 2010

Hit the skip to download “So Supreme” or stream it below. And if you want to support these two great artists, go to iTunes to purchase the single.

Download: Trek Life – “So Supreme” [Right Click Save-As]

Just like any other genre of music, hip-hop has a passing of the torch from one generation to the next every now and then. While some proclaim that hip-hop is dead, there is a generation of emcees, producers and DJs who believe that hip-hop is still very much alive. At the forefront of this new generation is rapper/producer Oddisee, who by now needs no introduction.

The resident DMV artist gives hip-hop a soulful touch while maintaining a hard, neck-breaking thump. Coming off of Diamond District’s outrageously successful In The Ruff, Oddisee is poised for an all-out takeover. We got to catch up with him (no easy feat – he really is a traveling man) for some questions. Read on as Oddisee details his Odd Seasons EPs, thoughts on DMV hip-hop, and more.

PIMB: Thanks for taking the time to talk with us. How are things? What’s new in Oddisee’s world?

Oddisee: Pleasure is all mine. All is well, just on the road as usual trying to stay productive at the same time. I’ve got a slew of releases coming out this summer, both free and for sale.

PIMB: We’ve received the highly anticipated final piece to your four-part EP series dedicated to the seasons. Where did this idea come from? Do you have a particular season that fits you the best?

Oddisee: The idea of the Odd Seasons came to me in the form of my own playlist. I would often throw music on my mp3 player that reflected the season. I enjoy walking around DC, especially when I have my own soundtrack. I decided to really make it my own soundtrack and created a series of EPs that reflected the seasons’ effects on life. Fall is my favorite season but I’d say Odd Spring is my favorite out the four. Ask me that same question in winter and the answer might be different. LOL.

PIMB: You seem to be one of the forerunners of free hip-hop releases. In The Ruff was released for free as a clean version well before it retailed, and you’ve also released a number of free EPs. Given the current state of the music industry, do you feel that free releases are necessary for independent artists?

Oddisee: No. I feel free releases are necessary for me. There is no one-size-fits-all formula for artists anymore. For me, free releases generate potential buyers and shows. The free music is good, the live show is good, and the business is transparent. My supporters know that they actually support me. I take care of them and they take care of me.

PIMB: Let’s dig into musical influences. You have a varied cultural background. Did your mixed heritage have anything to do with what you came up listening to, and does it play a role in your music today?

Oddisee: My mixed heritage definitely influences my music. One of the main advantages my mixed heritage afforded me was traveling at a young age. Seeing the similarities and differences in music around the world inspired me. I love to incorporate different scales and drum patterns from other cultures into my music. I guess my heritage allowed me to have an open mind and even wider open ear.

PIMB: When you were growing up, which hip-hop acts had the biggest influence on you? Are there active artists today whose work you still admire?

Oddisee: The whole Native Tongues movement really influenced my preference in hip-hop. I still listen to everything I grew up listening to.

PIMB: You recently finished up a European tour with Trek Life, Diamond District, Blu, and Fashawn. Do you feel that the European tour experience is different than a North American tour? How so?

Oddisee: Touring Europe is definitely different from touring the states, but not for the reasons most would think. At the end of the day we still sell more records in the United States than anywhere else in the world. It’s the sheer size of the states that makes touring Europe a better experience. Drive two to four hours in Europe and you’re in a completely different country and demographic. Europe is smaller; major metropolises are near one another. It’s easier to string a tour together in Europe.

PIMB: In The Ruff is somewhat of an anthemic album for the DMV area. There are a number of artists, yourself included, who have really put a spotlight on DMV hip-hop. What is it about the DMV area that you are most proud of? Why is it so important for you to represent your region of the country through music?

Oddisee: I’m most proud of our ability to make great hip-hop, period. Representing my region is so important because I come from a region overlooked by most. I honestly think we’re making some of the best hip-hop right now, and I won’t stop until the world thinks so.

PIMB: You’ve got a number of collaborative and personal projects in the works. Shed some light on some of the albums that fans can expect in the future.

Oddisee: I have a slew projects coming out with numerous MC’s featuring me as the sole producer. These projects include Finale (Detroit), Stik Figa, (Topeka, KS) Tranqill, (London, UK) Trek Life (L.A.) and Olivier Daysoul. (UK via DC). Besides those projects I have a few beats on other artists’ albums, and I’m working on my solo album titled People Hear What They See. My solo album will come out late 2010.

PIMB: Are there any artists you would like to work with who you haven’t yet had the chance?

Oddisee: I’d love to work with Van Hunt, Kanye West, Kings of Convenience, Nipsey Hussle and Jake-One.

PIMB: What albums do you currently have on heavy rotation? Do you see any current underground artists that you think are poised to make some serious noise?

Oddisee: I’ve been rocking the Kings of Convenience album Declaration of Dependence hard. Besides that I haven’t had the time to listen to a lot of other material because I’ve been so busy working on my own. These days if I’m not working on my own music I read. It gives my ears a rest and allows me to get through some books I’ve been dying to read.

PIMB: Thanks so much for your time. Any last words for the readers?

Oddisee: Thank you; I appreciate the interview. As for the readers, thank you for reading this interview! Follow me on Twitter and download my free releases on Bandcamp. Peace.

Oddisee continues his winning streak with his fourth seasonal EP, Odd Spring. Starting in the summer of 2009, he has brought a killer free project that greatly grasps the vibe and feel of each season. And many times, these EPs act as a means of previewing an upcoming project. For example, Odd Spring features a track called “The Beat is for Finale” that more than likely will feature the Detroit rapper when their collaborative Odds & Ends project drops this year. This free sampling of Oddisee material also hosts features from his Diamond District crew, Muneshine, Kingpin Slim, and Olivier Daysoul. Hit the skip to grab this excellent free EP and kick off spring the right way.
Download: Oddisee – Odd Spring

Instrumental hip-hop albums have been killing it over the past few years. It seems they have been going that way ever since the late J Dilla released his epic Donuts album before his death in 2006. Since then, we have heard fantastic records from Stones Throw brothers Madlib and Oh No, who were respectively dropping great albums well before ‘06. But it was their internationally themed records, especially Oh No’s Dr. No’s Oxperiment, that progressed this subgenre of hip-hop. Of course, those are just a couple of the many producers who rightfully gained more shine for their solo work.

Following in that path is Washington, D.C producer (and MC) Oddisee. This multi-talented artist has steadily improved over the years while maintaining the spirit of Golden Age hip-hop. For the perfect example of that, look no further than 2009’s under-appreciated Diamond District album In The Ruff, which featured Oddisee, yU, and X.O. Oddisee wasn’t satisfied with riding the success of that record, as he has crafted free seasonal releases on top of his latest project, Traveling Man.

This expertly crafted album, which screams to be played in your headphones, is an international hip-hop journey, in every sense. Oddisee actually created this while touring the globe: He crafted each song while in its respective city. As such, you can really feel the bouncy funk when listening to the Zapp-influenced “South Central”. Try not to get the chills as the breeze of Sweden creeps forth on “Stockholm”. Those are only a sampling of the 24 tracks offering a boom-bap trip across the world, from the handclaps and synthesizers of “Atlanta” to the jazzy grooves of “London”.

3.5 out of 5 stars

3.5 out of 5

Download: Oddisee – Odd Winter