Trophies

I was highly anticipating this album once I saw an interview with OC & Apollo brown talking about their new album back in april. I can say I didn't doubt OC 1 bit because hes got 1 of the best & most consistent catalogs in hip hop with only bon apetite being his only below average album but even that wasn't all wack. This albums is classic from start to finish. I haven't really heard alot of apollo's production but I have to say that his beats go well with OC's style. Hes like a modern day premo hopefully he'll become more known. There are no guest apperances on here not 1 just OC lacing every track with his dope lyrics & another thing I have to add is OC is 1 mc who despite how long hes been around (since 1991) hasn't fallen off 1 bit lyrically in fact hes as sharp as ever here. Every track is also a concept of some sort & some with OC's storytelling. In my opinion this album is up there with his first 2 word life & jewelz in production & lyrics so with that said support real hip hop & go out & get this "trophie" you won't regret it.

If I was a baseball fan, and an attempt were made to build an analogy between the perfect game pitched to a catcher--and listening to a particular album--here would be my equivalent. I give this an unhesitating nod as Best Hip-Hop Album of 2012, and as an absolute contender for best single producer-single emcee project ever offered; Penn & Teller, only doing some serious black magick. I had to alter my genre-specific Top-10 list because of this release! Although a few months old, I knew of its existence immediately, yet put off listening to it purposely--I also knew what this was going to be like (with a similar intuition O.C. can respect, hint hint). It was going to be like the first time I ever played real hip-hop: 16-years old again, jaw-dropped, scoffing and laughing, adrenalized and inspired, power fist shaking in recognition of the truth that is rarely heard. In point of fact, the foregoing description is exactly what it was--necessary and familiar, like a breath of fresh air. O.C.'s flow is completely seamless, and Apollo's production can easily garner him the same props that made Premier a legend. If only we could all be so patient with perfecting our craft.There are no guest emcee appearances, no platinum hook singers, no serato scratching, no skits, no extraneous weight, no wasted beats--and despite O.C. going for dolo nearly an hour over Brown's highly melodic ambiance, no boredom ensues. Material ranges from non-preachy spiritual and social insights, to clever and new braggadocio, to trunk system bangers: something for all types of `listeners, blunt heads, fly ladies, and prisoners', to borrow a phrase. "Trophies" has to be considered one of the most important reanimating efforts of the post-bling era, hands down. The whole format is at once basic and elegant, the focus is on beats and rhymes, the aim is a modernized boom-bap and move back approach. For those of us who remember a time when these two talents were budding, and the quality of a project mattered to die-hard fans who also had to consider the financial investments involved, finding total solace with your purchase starts with pressing play--put some dough in these cats' pockets, seriously! This is that grown-folks hip-hop, nothing childish about it.My review title comes right out of a comment made on `Options', but I agreed to disagree. "Trophies" strikes my experience being an artist and aficionado as pivotal, novel, reassuring; especially when realizing that my last album review was on the work of a man who respects O.C., and that guy is a legend in his own right! A truly skip-proof presentation: confirmation of taste for those who know, potentially educational for those who do not. Heads will bow, the insolent will foul, and history will hold-up this album as a triumph in the end.

Simply put, the collaboration between producer Apollo Brown and D.I.T.C. member (and a man who has two classics in his credit with Word..Life and Jewelz) O.C. is a match made in heaven. If it hadn't been made clear already, I LOVE this album, as each beat on here is outstanding (especially with it's main highlights), and O.C. is on point lyrically as he is a perfect match for Apollo Brown's production style, which resembles the 1990's Boom-Bap style with a hint of a futuristic sound with them as well.While every song has a well produced beat, and well-executed lyricism by O.C. himself, the BIGGEST standouts to this amazing album are Prove Me Wrong, Nautica, and The Formula (a well thought out tribute to The D.O.C.). But, realistically this whole album is worth listening to, and it's a must have for any Hip-Hop fan.Along with his previous, and future work, Apollo Brown has solidified himself as one of the best producers in Hip-Hop today alongside Black Milk. Anybody who loves his 90's-esque sound, this album is truly right up your ally, but even so, there are some modern elements in his production, even if it isn't the most noticeable. Simply put, you are NOT a Hip-Hop fan if you don't like (or even love) this album, do yourself a favor, get this album and push play. Not only is this the best Hip-Hop Album (imo) of 2012, it's one of THE BEST that has come out THIS DECADE! This is what Hip-Hop's about, this is a must have for any Hip-Hop head looking for some great music.

the guy that gave this 2 stars must have some serious problems with his ears,i cant remember the last time ive listened to an album without being the slightest bit tempted to hit the skip button, this album is damn near perfect in every way. we had some gems last years with phontes 'charity starts at home', Reks' self titled album, evidence 'cats & dogs' and pharoahe monchs W.A.R. and 2012 is looking even better. its so hard to name standout tracks but ima go with 'prove me wrong' 'signs' 'nautica' 'anotha one' 'just walk' 'caught up'. Do yourself a favor and buy this album u wont regret it. i'm literally addicted to this album, mad respect to apollo brown and OC for putting this masterpiece together.p.s that 2 star review is a JOKE dont let it affect your decision.

Man what a return for OC. After dropping 2, in my book classic albums, Word..life and Jewels in the 90s and a couple of more strong, but not classic worthy efforts, OC is back with one of the finest albums of 2012. Apollo Browns beats creates the perfect carpet for OC too flow effortlessly over and thats what makes this album standout from his last couple of joints. He always come correct with the lyrics but here once again he can flow over beats that suits him just perfect. It's a coherent listen and with 16 tracks and no fillers. Personally, i hold this album as a true back too form album for OC. Definitely worth every penny!PZ.

Straight to the point dope amazing wicked album great production an OC finishing it with dope lyrics

This is a highly enjoyable effort. Apollo's beats are true to Hip Hop's gold standard, providing a backdrop over which OC excels, with cerebral, thought-provoking lyricism, in marked contrast to the faux Hip Hop that is saturating today's society.

straight classic

attention gros son east coast le tous est produit par apollo brown et le mc est OC donc bon .... des la premiere ecoute vous allez vous rendre compte de la qualité du CD les sons sont tres tres bien produit oc au top malgré une absence de plusieur sannées le mc a poffiner ces textes bref je m'attendais a du lourd mais la ces du super lourd une grosse surprise grosse sortie pour le label culte fat beats je conseil vivement l'achatps écouter déjà The Pursuit, prove me wrong ou encore angels sing pour vous donner un apercu du LP

Eine der Top 5 HipHop Alben zwischen 2010 und 2020. Durchgehend klasse Platte.

Bon c'est simple c'est le meilleur album que j'ai acheté depuis très longtemps (6ans au moins).Je remercie apollo brown mais surtout OC. Car c'est lui qui choisi les instrus et il a posé très sérieusement. Il est pas largué du tout en pleine forme. Il ne s'est pas laissé enfermé par l'environnement habituelle du producteur et c'est là ou il est fort donc c'est bien l'album de Oc avec des productions de AB. Comme dis le précédent c'est du super lourd, j'y croyais pas! Si t'aimes pas l'album, je te le rachètes et je l'offre à un ami.

nice, so real hip hop, real and good singerSkyzoo, apollo brown beats, illmind beats, Duck Down crewrecommanded, buy this