O.D.D. — Group Interview

O.D.D. — DEVAUGHN • ONE6 • SOUL OZ • ESKO  Interview by Ian Jackson

How did your group name “O.D.D.” come about?

Devaughn: O.D.D was established when I joined. Thought it sounded dope, so, went with the flow.

One6: Odd Fella was already created when I first joined; I was the second to last member to join the group.

Soul Oz: It all started back in highschool, freshmen [year]. That year I met and developed [a] close relationship with my boy Eskobarz. Him and I started kicking it — that’s when we gained a perspective about each other’s passion. I was writing poetry lowkey and he was recording on the homie’s mic. Few months in I bought that very same mic off the homie; Esko and I began running it from there. That’s when I came up with the name of Odd Fella, which soon developed into O.D.D.

Esko: It was Odd Fella at first but once we decided to take it serious we dropped the fella to make a statement. We’re just some wavy mofukas making rare music. I myself take ODD as Oath De Dedication… We don’t half ass anything when it comes to this music shit.

How did you guys come together to become a music group?

Devaughn: I battle rapped “Esko” in high school (and won). Shortly after, I was invited to do a song with Esko and Souloz. One6 came along and we had a similar vibe.

One6: A mutual friend, Ricky, introduced me to Tito, who had already been doing poetry/rap. That same day we made a track — accepting [me] into the group.

Soul Oz: At first it was just Esko and I; along the way we had a few homies trying to hop on the mic but all eventually dropped except for One6, the only one that committed to it. Then one day Esko collabed with a Samoan cat from school. He began cooling with us more often when we use to record on my laptop in [the] Honda at the Windsor Market lot. We vibed hard with each other from that point on — that’s when Kiddy Nite joined the tribe. The rest is history…

Esko: I had already been rapping before I met Soul, but he had a real passion for it, so when we clicked up in high school we just dove into the music. Soul later came up with Odd Fella and we kept recording. Later on one [of] my homies introduced me to One 6 — he was fresh to this rap shit but his consistency of working on his craft’s what made him stick. Kiddy was the final addition; I had known him as a rapper for [a] while until we decided to collab. We vibed and started pushing ODD ever since.

How old are you guys?

Devaughn: 20 yrs.

One6: 22.

Soul Oz: Just turned 21 in June.

Esko: 21.

Who would you say influenced you guys the most musically?

Devaughn: Cole, Kdot, 2005–2010 Weezy, Tank, Jamie Foxx.

One6: A few artists. Biggie Smalls introduced me and hooked my ear to hip hop/rap. Growing up I would listen to Outkast, Mos Def, Ludacris, but Wiz Khalifa introduced me to a whole other side of the rap scene.

Soul Oz: Growing up my older cousins from L.A. and Windsor use to roll up and take me cruising — the lifestyle and sound caught my attention at an early age. In the lab [it] was […] bumping Bone [Thugs &] Esko […], NWA, Nas; fucked hard with Usher; pops gave me my first rap CD, The Eminem Show, so I was bumping that too. In high school I began to find influence in Kendrick Lamar, J. Cole, Dom Kennedy, Isaiah Rashad, and Iamsu.

Esko: Eminem introduced me to the rap world; Lupe Fiasco and Immortal Technique gave me a lyrical incline, but the most influential would have to be J Cole, Kendrick Lamar and Isaiah Rashad. I also fuck with the whole HBK movement and many others from the Bay and LA. All around, good music in general is what influences [me].

Let’s talk music — you guys just opened up for HBK and you have a single out on your SoundCloud. Are you working on any new records your fans can look out for?

Devaughn: We are! A new single by O.D.D titled “My Crew”. Get yo self a copy! Check that out if you haven’t already. Yes, we do, but don’t want to mention any names — but keep a look out for sure.

Soul Oz: Suzy was lit; S10 GIO DEE [went in] one time too. Yup, it’s called My Crew — if you haven’t slapped [it] one time, [go get it].

Esko: Aye no doubt, it was a dope one! My Crew is out [on] our SoundCloud — give [it a] listen and vibe out one time. We got plenty of music in store is all I can say. We’ve been working.

One6: Yes, [our] single is called My Crew.

Do you guys have any other performances your fans should be planning for?

Devaughn: Not sure honestly. Hopefully — we working on planning our next moves, but [if] something pops out we’ll for sure [let] the people know.

Soul Oz: Not any shows — we plotting though, we making moves low key. We got this exclusive pool function in the [works]; we’ll see how that turns out. We gonna be lit though.

Esko: No shows yet; we’re plotting to push up and keep making waves.

What’s your best experience in the music industry so far?

Devaughn: The music making process. Bringing that little picture painted in your mind to life. It’s beautiful.

One6: This whole ride is my best experience.

Soul Oz: Being able to make music, share [it, and have the] realest people know [you]. Now and days [there aren’t] many out there I can trust.

Esko: Having people you have yet to meet [vibing to your music] — that’s a blessing. Sharing the stage with my brothers is a bonus.

So what’s the message you guys are portraying through your music?

Devaughn: VIBES movement.

One6: Stay focused. Work hard but have some fun at the same time.

Soul Oz: Like One6 says: stay focused, work hard for your family, but live free and have a good time while we still blessed.

Esko: Constantly go to work, don’t let no one box you in, and above all chase the good vibes.

I recently saw this video about certain roles that are played in every group — what roles do you guys play?

Devaughn: I try to bring the best music, ideas and vibes to the table.

One6: I collect female groupies to fuck with us / promote our music.

Soul Oz: Wavy Mexicans. To me, we all bring something to the table on some real shit. I could say that I’m the [one bringing] the group into the light, but we all run this — the synergy’s crazy. We know who plays what role, and as long as we know that [it’s good]. Let the people wonder as far as [roles].

Esko: I’m a peace keeper, the young go getter.

Are you guys working on a mixtape or a debut album?

Devaughn: We have one in [the] works right now. Just trying to finish and perfect [it].

One6: We’re always working. We have a mixtape already put together — just putting the final touches to [it].

Soul Oz: Moving in silence, that’s the motto. We’re always working even if the SoundCloud’s dry. But we are putting the final touches on a mixtape that should drop soon.

Esko: A tape is in play; we took a year off just to work on our craft.

[Who] in the industry [are] you interested in working with?

Devaughn: Anyone who is willing to make the best music we can. You got the right vibe, then let’s work.

One6: Working with anyone/everyone in the industry would be dope.

Soul Oz: Like Post Malone said, I ain’t your competition, I’m here to make good music. I just want to get money and have fun. Working with anyone/everyone in the industry would be dope, as long as they [coolin]. Just to be a little more specific though: Father, Cousin Stizz, Future, Mick Jenkins, Playboi Carti, Dom K, J. Cole, Jay Prince from the UK, Isaiah Rashad, Suzy, Kendrick. The list continues.

Esko: Anybody that [makes real] music. The whole Bay, and very rare artists like Isaiah Rashad, Supa Bwe, Post Malone, YG, Chance the Rapper, Mick Jenkins, HBK, E-40, Dom Kennedy, Cousin Stizz, Kdot, J Cole.

Where can people find you?

Devaughn: Instagram: @odd_kiddy.

One6: Instagram: @odd_16 • Snapchat: [handle partially illegible].

Soul Oz: Instagram: @illsayoz • SoundCloud: Soulos.

Esko: IG: odd_esko • Snapchat: ESkobarz.

Footer strip: LIVIN PROOF BEATS / TROJAN BOY ENT. — coming [soon].