To What End

Last updated
To What End
Oddisee To What End cover.jpg
Studio album by
ReleasedJanuary 20, 2023 (2023-01-20)
Genre Hip hop
Label Outer Note Label
Producer Oddisee
Oddisee chronology
The Iceberg
(2017)
To What End
(2023)

To What End is a studio album by American rapper and record producer Oddisee. It was released on January 20, 2023 through Outer Note Label. Production was handled by Oddisee himself, except for the song "Bartenders", which was co-produced by Dunc. It features guest appearances from BeMyFiasco, Bilal, C.S. Armstrong, Freeway, Haile Supreme, Kay Young, Noochie, Olivier St. Louis, Phonte, Saint Ezekiel and Toine Jameson, with contributions from Ralph Real, Dennis Turner, Jon Laine, Fredeka, Felix Herbst, Johan Lenox and Don Carn.

Contents

Critical reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic 75/100 [1]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic Star full.svgStar full.svgStar full.svgStar half.svgStar empty.svg [2]
Pitchfork 7.4/10 [3]
PopMatters 7/10 [4]
RapReviews8/10 [5]
Spectrum Culture80%/100% [6]

To What End was met with generally favorable reviews from music critics. At Metacritic, which assigns a normalized rating out of 100 to reviews from mainstream publications, the album received an average score of 75, based on four reviews. [1]

Grant Jones of RapReviews found the album "that grows on the listener", adding: "it does have a few tracks that sound like they could have been from older albums and the shorter track lengths I can't ignore, but there are great tracks here to appease any self-respecting hip-hop fan seeking something more genuine and soulful in their 2023 playlists". [5] Thomas Stremfel of Spectrum Culture wrote: "To What End, while an overwhelmingly positive record, explores one of his core principles from multiple angles, and for every angle he approaches from, he finds either a clever, inspiring or fun way to turn it into a song". [6] Dylan Green of Pitchfork wrote: "a handful of the beats skew generic—closing tracks "The Way", with its sleepy Wreckx-n-Effect sample, and "Race", in particular, play like car-commercial music—but To What End avoids defaulting to a rapper spitting with a backing band". [3] AllMusic's Paul Simpson stated: "Oddisee is a pro at boiling a whirlwind of thoughts and emotions down to concise, relatable songs, and To What End contains some of his most deeply personal work to date". [2] Quentin B Huff of PopMatters resumed: "Oddisee more than holds his own while weaving his nimble lyricism across his diverse soundscape". [4]

Track listing

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."The Start of Something" Amir Mohamed el Khalifa 3:42
2."How Far"Khalifa1:59
3."Many Hats"Khalifa3:07
4."Already Knew"Khalifa4:02
5."Choices" (featuring Phonte, BeMyFiasco and Kay Young)
3:42
6."Try Again"Khalifa2:47
7."Ghetto to Meadow" (featuring Freeway)3:14
8."More to Go" (featuring C.S. Armstrong)
  • Khalifa
  • Chauncy S. Armstrong
3:44
9."All I Need" (featuring Olivier St. Louis)
  • Khalifa
  • Olivier St. Louis
3:03
10."Bartenders" (featuring Toine Jameson)
  • Khalifa
  • Toine Jameson
3:15
11."Work to Do" (featuring Bilal)3:00
12."People Watching"Khalifa3:14
13."Hard to Tell"Khalifa2:47
14."Bogarde" (featuring Noochie)
  • Khalifa
  • Noochie
2:41
15."The Way" (featuring Haile Supreme and Saint Ezekiel)
  • Khalifa
  • Haile Supreme
  • Saint Ezekiel
3:16
16."Race"Khalifa3:29

Personnel

Related Research Articles

<i>Lasers</i> (album) 2011 studio album by Lupe Fiasco

Lasers is the third studio album by American rapper Lupe Fiasco, released on March 7, 2011 by Atlantic Records. Production for the album took place between 2008 and 2010. Lasers features production by The Audibles, The Neptunes, Needlz, Alex da Kid, Syience, and long-time collaborator Soundtrakk, among others. Trey Songz, John Legend, Skylar Grey, Sway, Matt Mahaffey, MDMA, Eric Turner and Sarah Green contribute vocals to the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Little Brother (group)</span> American hip hop duo

Little Brother is an American hip hop duo from Durham, North Carolina that consists of rappers Phonte and Big Pooh. DJ and producer 9th Wonder was an original member of the group but departed in 2007. The group has produced five acclaimed studio albums and six mixtapes.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lupe Fiasco</span> American rapper and record producer

Wasalu Muhammad Jaco, better known by his stage name Lupe Fiasco, is an American rapper and record producer. He rose to fame in 2006 following the success of his debut album, Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor. He also performs as the frontman of rock band Japanese Cartoon under his real name. As an entrepreneur, Fiasco was the chief executive officer of 1st and 15th Entertainment.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">The Foreign Exchange</span> American hip hop group

The Foreign Exchange is an R&B/electronica/hip hop duo consisting of the American rapper/singer Phonte and the Dutch record producer Nicolay.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Phonte</span> American rapper, singer, and proudcer

Phonte Lyshod Coleman, known mononymously as Phonte, is an American rapper, singer, and producer. He is also a member of Team Supreme, that co-hosts the Questlove Supreme podcast.

<i>Chemistry</i> (Buckshot and 9th Wonder album) 2005 studio album by Buckshot & 9th Wonder

Chemistry is the first collaborative studio album by American rapper Buckshot and record producer 9th Wonder. It was released on June 21, 2005 through Duck Down Music as a part of the label's "Triple Threat Campaign", preceded by Sean Price's Monkey Barz and followed by Tek & Steele's Smif 'n' Wessun: Reloaded. Recording sessions took place at Missie Ann Studios in Raleigh, North Carolina. Production was handled entirely by 9th Wonder, with Buckshot and Drew "Dru-Ha" Friedman serving as executive producers. It features guest appearances from Keisha Shontelle, Big Pooh, Joe Scudda, L.E.G.A.C.Y., Phonte, Sean Price and Starang Wondah. This album is paralleled by the Black Moon album Alter the Chemistry, which was basically a remix album produced by Da Beatminerz.

<i>Lupe Fiascos Food & Liquor</i> 2006 studio album by Lupe Fiasco

Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor is the debut studio album by American rapper Lupe Fiasco, released on September 19, 2006, on 1st & 15th Entertainment and Atlantic Records. The album features production from The Neptunes, Kanye West, Mike Shinoda, Craig Kallman, Prolyfic, Needlz, Soundtrakk, and Brandon Howard. Jay-Z, Chill, and Fiasco himself are credited as the executive producers for the album. Songs on the record discuss poverty, Islam, terrorism, racism, and individuality.

<i>Connected</i> (The Foreign Exchange album) 2004 studio album by the Foreign Exchange

Connected is the first studio album by the Foreign Exchange, a hip hop group consisting of American rapper Phonte from Little Brother and Dutch producer Nicolay. It was released on BBE on August 24, 2004.

<i>Getback</i> 2007 studio album by Little Brother

Getback is the third studio album from Little Brother, released on October 23, 2007. Eleven days prior, Phonte leaked the album himself to Okayplayer.com

<i>Lupe Fiascos The Cool</i> 2007 studio album by Lupe Fiasco

Lupe Fiasco's The Cool is the second studio album by American rapper Lupe Fiasco. It was released on December 18, 2007, by 1st & 15th Entertainment and Atlantic Records. Recording sessions took place during 2006 to 2007, with Lupe Fiasco himself, alongside Charles Patton (Chilly) serving as the records executive producers. A concept album, The Cool was based upon the song and a title character from his debut album, Food & Liquor (2006). The album features guest appearances from Gemini, Snoop Dogg and Matthew Santos, while the production was provided by Patrick Stump, Soundtrakk and Unkle, among others.

<i>Charity Starts at Home</i> 2011 studio album by Phonte

Charity Starts at Home is the debut solo studio album by American rapper Phonte. The album was released on September 27, 2011 via Foreign Exchange Music. Production was handled by 9th Wonder, E. Jones, Fatin "10" Horton, Khrysis, Stro Elliott, Swiff D, Symbolyc One, Zo! and Phonte, who also served as executive producer together with Nicolay. It features guest appearances from Big K.R.I.T., Carlitta Durand, Elzhi, Eric Roberson, Evidence, Jeanne Jolly, Sy Smith, and fellow Justus League member Median.

<i>Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1</i> 2012 studio album by Lupe Fiasco

Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1 is the fourth studio album by American rapper Lupe Fiasco, released on September 25, 2012. Production for the album took place between 2009 and 2012. The album was intended to be released in June 2009, but was postponed due to the Lasers album. Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1 features production by The Audibles, 1500 or Nothin', B-Sides, Simonsayz, The Runners, and long-time collaborator Soundtrakk among others. Bilal, Poo Bear, Guy Sebastian, Casey Benjamin, Jason Evigan, and Jane $$$ contribute vocals to the album.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Battle Scars</span> 2012 single by Guy Sebastian featuring Lupe Fiasco

"Battle Scars" is a song performed by Australian recording artist Guy Sebastian featuring American rapper Lupe Fiasco. It was released digitally in Australia and New Zealand on 10 August 2012 by Sony Music Entertainment. The song lyrics and music were written by Sebastian and David Ryan Harris, with the rap written by Fiasco. It was the third single lifted from Sebastian's seventh album Armageddon. Fiasco added "Battle Scars" to his fourth album, Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1 in countries other than Australia. It was released as the fourth single on 28 August 2012, credited as a duet.

<i>Self Made Vol. 3</i> 2013 compilation album by Maybach Music Group

Self Made Vol. 3 is the third compilation album by MMG. The album was released on September 17, 2013, by Maybach Music Group and Atlantic Records. Like the two previous albums in the Self Made series, the album features contributions from members signed to the MMG label including Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Wale, Stalley, French Montana, Omarion and Rockie Fresh along with Gunplay, Young Breed and Torch of Triple C's. The album features additional guest appearances from Yo Gotti, Lil Boosie, Birdman, J. Cole, Fabolous, Pusha T, Hit-Boy, and Lupe Fiasco among others.

<i>Summer Knights</i> 2013 mixtape by Joey Bada$$

Summer Knights is the third mixtape by American rapper Joey Bada$$. It was released on July 1, 2013, by Cinematic Music Group. The mixtape was planned to be released as an EP, to prelude the release of his debut album B4.DA.$$, but instead it was announced to be a full-length mixtape. The mixtape features production from Chuck Strangers, Kirk Knight, MF Doom, Statik Selektah, DJ Premier, Lee Bannon, Oddisee, Navie D, and Bruce Leekix. The mixtape features more original instrumentals than his first mixtape 1999 which was primarily samples.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mello Music Group</span> American independent record label

Mello Music Group (MMG) is an American independent record label based in Tucson, Arizona. Founded in 2007, Mello Music has released hip hop compilations and albums by producers and rappers such as Oddisee, Apollo Brown, Mr. Lif, Ghostface Killah, Open Mike Eagle, L'Orange, Quelle Chris, Jean Grae, Kool Keith, Nottz, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Pete Rock, and Rapper Big Pooh. In 2012, MTV Hive described MMG as having a "dedication to intelligent, street-wise boom bap", although the label has released a number of purely instrumental albums as well. In 2016, Forbes magazine called Mello Music Group the most successful indie rap label of the decade.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Big Pooh</span> American rapper

Thomas Louis Jones III, better known by his stage name Big Pooh, is an American rapper, who, along with fellow rap artist Phonte, is a member of the acclaimed North Carolina hip hop group Little Brother. In addition to numerous records and EP's by Little Brother, Pooh released a solo album in 2005 entitled Sleepers to positive critical reception. He has been guest featured on numerous tracks by other artists. Big Pooh also appreciates basketball and has served as a guest writer on a basketball blog.

<i>The Iceberg</i> (Oddisee album) 2017 studio album by Oddisee

The Iceberg is a studio album by American hip hop artist Oddisee. It was released via Mello Music Group on February 24, 2017. It is the official follow-up to his 2015 album, The Good Fight. It features guest appearances from Toine and Olivier St. Louis. Music videos were created for "NNGE" and "You Grew Up".

<i>Drogas Wave</i> 2018 hip hop album by Lupe Fiasco

Drogas Wave is the seventh studio album by American hip hop recording artist Lupe Fiasco, released by 1st and 15th Productions and Thirty Tigers on September 21, 2018. This album is a follow-up to his 2017 album, Drogas Light.

<i>Drill Music in Zion</i> 2022 hip hop album by Lupe Fiasco

Drill Music in Zion is the eighth studio album by American hip hop recording artist Lupe Fiasco, released on June 24, 2022, through 1st & 15th and Thirty Tigers. The album was preceded by two singles, "Autoboto" and "Drill Music in Zion".

References

  1. 1 2 "Critic Reviews for To What End - Metacritic". Metacritic . Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  2. 1 2 Simpson, Paul. "Oddisee - To What End Album Reviews, Songs & More | AllMusic". AllMusic . Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  3. 1 2 Green, Dylan (January 26, 2023). "Oddisee: To What End". Pitchfork . Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  4. 1 2 Huff, Quentin B (February 16, 2023). "Oddisee: To What End (Album Review)". PopMatters . Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  5. 1 2 Jones, Grant (July 11, 2023). "Oddisee :: To What End – RapReviews". www.rapreviews.com. Retrieved July 17, 2023.
  6. 1 2 Stremfel, Thomas (January 24, 2023). "Oddisee: To What End". Spectrum Culture. Retrieved July 17, 2023.