O.C.: Jewelz (1997). "Mush" Makes Sure of No Sophomore Slump.
Explicit content warning
08/15/22 • 28 min
1 Listener
B. Cox reviews Brooklyn and Diggin in The Crates (DITC) emcee O.C.'s second album Jewelz as it turns 25. After his critically acclaimed 1994 debut album Word...Life, O.C. took to the road to tour exclusively for almost three years. When he returned to the booth to record his sophomore album, he did so with an all-star cast of producers. Along with the returning DITC crew member BuckWild, who contributed production heavily on his debut, he also welcomed the likes of heavyweights DJ Premier, Mr. Walt from The Beatminerz, DJ Ogee and fellow DITC affiliates Showbiz and Lord Finesse.
Featuring a slightly grittier sound than the jazz infused sound of his debut, O.C. spit his expert storytelling narratives and flexed his lyrical prowess with guest spots from Freddie Foxx, R&B singer Yvette Michele and the late great Big L, who was also a fellow DITC crew member. The album featured one single, "Far From Yours" with Michele, which reached #81 on the Billboard Hot 100.
While not commercially successful, the album has been hailed as both an underground and cult classic and further solidified respect for OC as a lyricist and artist as he avoided the dreaded "sophomore slump."
Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Online
Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpod
Show Notes
O.C.'s 'Jewelz' Turns 20 | Anniversary Retrospective
https://albumism.com/features/tribute-celebrating-20-years-of-oc-jewelz
Ambrosia For Heads: O.C. "Jewelz" Turns 20: It May Be The True Diamond In His Discography
https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2017/08/oc-jewelz-is-a-great-hip-hop-album/
WesCheddar: Interview with O.C.-Jewelz at 20
https://westcheddar.com/2020/08/19/the-making-of-jewelz-with-o-c-2017/
O.C. feat. Yvette Michele "Far From Yours" Music Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMk7gELBhro
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
B. Cox reviews Brooklyn and Diggin in The Crates (DITC) emcee O.C.'s second album Jewelz as it turns 25. After his critically acclaimed 1994 debut album Word...Life, O.C. took to the road to tour exclusively for almost three years. When he returned to the booth to record his sophomore album, he did so with an all-star cast of producers. Along with the returning DITC crew member BuckWild, who contributed production heavily on his debut, he also welcomed the likes of heavyweights DJ Premier, Mr. Walt from The Beatminerz, DJ Ogee and fellow DITC affiliates Showbiz and Lord Finesse.
Featuring a slightly grittier sound than the jazz infused sound of his debut, O.C. spit his expert storytelling narratives and flexed his lyrical prowess with guest spots from Freddie Foxx, R&B singer Yvette Michele and the late great Big L, who was also a fellow DITC crew member. The album featured one single, "Far From Yours" with Michele, which reached #81 on the Billboard Hot 100.
While not commercially successful, the album has been hailed as both an underground and cult classic and further solidified respect for OC as a lyricist and artist as he avoided the dreaded "sophomore slump."
Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Online
Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpod
Show Notes
O.C.'s 'Jewelz' Turns 20 | Anniversary Retrospective
https://albumism.com/features/tribute-celebrating-20-years-of-oc-jewelz
Ambrosia For Heads: O.C. "Jewelz" Turns 20: It May Be The True Diamond In His Discography
https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2017/08/oc-jewelz-is-a-great-hip-hop-album/
WesCheddar: Interview with O.C.-Jewelz at 20
https://westcheddar.com/2020/08/19/the-making-of-jewelz-with-o-c-2017/
O.C. feat. Yvette Michele "Far From Yours" Music Video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pMk7gELBhro
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Previous Episode
Scarface: The Fix (2002). Face-Boss, Griot, OG, Legend
B. Cox reviews Scarface's classic 7th album The Fix as it turns 20. After leaving long time label Rap-A Lot, the Houston veteran emcee moved to Def Jam South as their president, but was coaxed into releasing first and only studio album while on the label. Assisted by an all-star production cast that included himself, Kanye West, Nottz, the Neptunes, Mike Dean and T-Mix, he spit his customary commanding flow telling both cautionary tales and warnings against those who opposed him. However, Scarface also took the time to reflect on his spirituality and what his relationship with God did for him during hard times.
He was also had an all-star slate of guest appearances, headlined by the likes of Jay-Z, Beanie Siegel, Nas, Kelly Price, WC and Faith Evans. The album was powered by two now-classic singles: "Guess Who's Back" and "My Block".
The album is considered one of Scarface's finest works and is considered to be one of the best albums of the 2000s.
Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Online
Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpod
Show Notes
Stereogum: "The Fix" Turns 20
https://www.stereogum.com/2195283/scarface-the-fix-turns-20/reviews/the-anniversary/
Albumism: Celebrating 20 Years of Scarface's "The Fix" | Album Anniversary
https://albumism.com/features/celebrating-20-years-of-scarface-the-fix-album-anniversary
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
Next Episode
Clipse: Lord Willin' (2002). "You Know What I Keep In The Lining..."
B. Cox looks back at Virginia rap duo Clipse's major label debut album Lord Willin' as it turns 20. The group, made up of brothers Gene "Malice" and Terrence "Pusha T " Thornton grew up in Virginia Beach and were close associates of producer Pharrell Williams growing up. After securing their first record deal with Elektra Records in 1996, their first album Exclusive Audio Footage which was scheduled to come out in 1999, was shelved when their first single failed to catch onto the charts.
In 2001, Pharrell, then a successful producer as one-half of The Neptunes (with Chad Hugo), signed Clipse to his Star Trak Imprint. With an album completely produced by the Neptunes, Malice and Pusha T spit hard life tales of hustling and drug dealing over the innovative production. The first single "Grindin" became their most recognizable hit and became a classic known for its infectious drums and the duo's street wise hustle lyrics.
The album was certified gold and established Clipse as an up and coming group to watch out for. It also helped to establish a new brand of "coke rap" in the 2000s that would become popularized and continued by some of their contemporaries later in the decade.
Visit The Vault Classic Music Reviews Online
Support The Vault Classic Music Review on Buy Me A Coffee
https://www.buymeacoffee.com/vaultclassicpod
Show Notes
Sterogum-Lord Willin' Turns 20
https://www.stereogum.com/2196772/clipse-lord-willin-turns-20/reviews/the-anniversary/
Soul In Stereo: Ranking the Best Songs on Clipse's "Lord Willin'"
http://www.soulinstereo.com/2022/08/ranking-the-best-songs-on-clipses-lord-willin.html
Genius: Ever Since "Lord Willin'", Clipse Have Been Grappling With The Sins Of Their Past
https://genius.com/a/ever-since-lord-willin-clipse-have-been-grappling-with-the-sins-of-their-past
Support this podcast at — https://redcircle.com/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast/donations
Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brands
Privacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy
If you like this episode you’ll love
Episode Comments
Featured in these lists
Generate a badge
Get a badge for your website that links back to this episode
<a href="https://goodpods.com/podcasts/the-vault-classic-music-reviews-podcast-189935/oc-jewelz-1997-mush-makes-sure-of-no-sophomore-slump-23131190"> <img src="https://storage.googleapis.com/goodpods-images-bucket/badges/generic-badge-1.svg" alt="listen to o.c.: jewelz (1997). "mush" makes sure of no sophomore slump. on goodpods" style="width: 225px" /> </a>
Copy