[Album Review] Apollo Brown & OC – Trophies – ####

By Nene Wallace Reed

Detroit based producer Apollo Brown has quietly become one of the more sought after underground hiphop producers in the business. After coming out of nowhere with 2010 album, The Reset, the Detroit beatsmith has dropped great release after great release and lent his production to the likes of Boog Brown, The Left, Danny Brown, Has Lo and Elzhi to name a few. OC is an emcee that needs no introduction. As a member of the legendary Diggin In The Crates conglomerate, the Brooklyn emcee has brought hiphop fans nothing but gems, first with the classic album Word…Life and then the critically acclaimed Jewelz. With Trophies, the two combine to bring hiphop fans something to remember.

Within 45 seconds of listening to Trophies, it’s pretty obvious that the listener is in for one hell of an album. Apollo Brown’s production coupled with OC’s lyrical prowess make for an instant banger. Tracks such as “The Pursuit” and the lead single “Prove Me Wrong” are perfect illustrations of the duo’s chemistry as OC rides the Apollo Brown’s gritty production. By far though, the track “Nautica” is the duo’s tour de force, as the chemistry of the two is put on full display.

Trophies is truly a mix of old and new. It features sixteen solid bangers that fill the headphones with pure unadulterated hiphop. With a producer and emcee from two different eras working together, the album puts each in the other’s time. Apollo Brown is transported to OC’s 1994-1997 and likewise OC is seemingly brought into Apollo Brown’s 2012. Either way, the duo works together beautifully and this Trophy is indeed a prize for it’s listeners.

Rating: #### out of #####

Tracklisting
1.Trophies
2.The Pursuit
3.Prove Me Wrong
4.Nautica
5.Anotha One
6.Disclaimer
7.We The People
8.Signs
9.The First 48
10.Angels Sing
11.Just Walk
12.The Formula
13.People’s Champ
14.Options
15.Caught Up
16.Fantastic