Forward-thinking producer and singer-songwriter OddKidOut today joined forces with Seattle-based rapper Macntaj for their new single, “CODES,” on Monstercat. The hip-hop meets electronic record sat as a flip to Big L’s “MVP” for nearly two years, but upon revisiting his work, the finger drumming mastermind turned it into a punchy crossover collab with glitchy breakbeat drums and dexterous rap verses from Macntaj. Although hip-hop has always influenced OddKidOut’s project, the new single sees him produce outside of his typical range, flexing his versatile musical stylings.
Stream – https://listen.monstercatmusic.com/codes-nnn9
OddKidOut shares, “My ultimate goal with this track was to bridge hip-hop and EDM in a new, refreshing, and genuine way that excites both hip-hop heads and EDM lovers.”
Macntaj adds, “OddKidOut couldn’t have sent this record to me at a better time. I’ve been on an extended break from everything art for the last 10 months after a hectic year prior. At first listen, I was instantly inspired and able to get a lot of frustration out on this record. I spoke on a few things I have yet to even touch on in my solo music.”
Growing up listening to ‘90s era hip-hop with inspirations spanning J Dilla, Pete Rock, Mobb Deep, and more, the instrumental producer OddKidOut’s beat-making momentum sky-rocketed after signing to OWSLA in 2017. Fast-forward to 2021, he won the Goldie Awards’ Beat Battle and signed with Monstercat, since garnering support and collaborations with Skrillex, NanaBcool, and a remix for Tove Lo. Next, OddKidOut is set to play festival slots at EDC Orlando this November and We Are Friends in December with more shows and releases to come in 2023.
Linking with Seattle-based rapper Macntaj was no surprise, as he’s one of the most in-demand rappers for EDM tastemakers. His authentic lyrics and sultry vocals have been featured on records with Black Tiger Sex Machine, Kai Wachi, UZ, among others. Macntaj’s multi-genre work has taken his solo career to new heights, with his debut album ‘Big Bloc Meign’ taking off in 2021, spurring collaborations with X-Raided, TeZATalks, and more.
OddKidOut Bio
With an innovative sound that embodies darkness and grit through lush instrumentation, OddKidOut makes music for the underdog. Hailing from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the 27-year-old multi-instrumentalist, DJ and producer has spent most of his life behind a drum kit, performing in a multitude of touring bands by the young age of 13. Having eventually swapped the drum kit for a finger drum controller and Ableton while still in his formative teenage years, OddKidOut’s unique brand of live, melancholy bass music was born.
The 2017 release of OddKidOut’s breakthrough OWSLA EP Solstice cemented him as a standout within the electronic music scene, garnering high praise from all corners of the industry. Since then, OddKidOut has released on some of dance music’s most exciting labels including BASSRUSH, Fool’s Gold, and Monstercat, where his single “Cinema” went on to become the title track for popular video game Rocket League. Now, the breakout artist looks to the future with his classic finger drummed, bass-infused soundscapes set to grace HARD Records.
OddKidOut is the amalgamation of his many influences, from metal to hip-hop to ambient, who’s fusing his penchant for percussion with moody electronic flare to create a sound uniquely his own. Ready to take on concert and festival stages across the globe with his high-energy live show, OddKidOut’s story is only just beginning.
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Macntaj Bio
Macntaj’s ascent to the throne takes you from the mean streets of Sacramento to wall street, and back. Equipped with the gift of a brilliant mind, Macntaj has always adapted and responded to his environment in pursuit of greatness. He struggled with the conformity of formal education, and the genesis of his life lessons came from responding to, and mastery of, his environment.
From day one, young Macntaj always beat the odds. As a boy, he was forced to abandon his childhood and become a man, where he would face a life of violence and trauma. Raised by a single mother and an older brother who was a frustrated boxer and would literally use young Macntaj as his own punching bag. He endured what could be called at best, benign neglect, and at worst, extreme torment. Instead of letting these experiences weigh him down and fester in his trunk and impede his success, he put these experiences into his tank, and they still fuel his relentless spirit. Macntaj has persevered and thrived at every turn, rather than succumb to the pain and the trauma he has endured, he has used his experiences to reach a higher plane.
Hungry for something different, after dropping out of high school Macntaj got his GED and then found himself as a cashier at Walmart. Seeing his innate brilliance and intellect, a Black banker took a fondness to Macntaj and recruited him to work in finance. When he was up for promotion to start trading stocks, the powers that be bet against him, “college kids are failing this test, so you should go in a different direction.” Never one to surrender, Macntaj was determined to succeed, and against all odds found himself passing several exams to become a securities broker. While in finance he learned that success in the game was simple, exposure to the right people and then the application of his brilliance. Surrounding yourself with people that have a different outlook and experience in the world, and then taking that and applying yourself was the secret to getting to the next level. Macntaj uses the same tools and techniques from the mean streets; collaboration, learning on the fly, beating the odds – all to create masterpieces in the booth.
They say that fortune favors the bold. Macntaj has lived a life of boldness and good fortune, and his music reflects both the hardships and the optimism that is characteristic of his incredible intellect and a huge heart. Macntaj is known as a brilliant mind with a sense of humor. Utilizing both to navigate in tough, dangerous, or intriguing situations. Underneath it all is a love for humanity in general, and for his city of Seattle in particular. Macntaj is a man of the people and shuns the political spotlight. His music reflects his life and is provocative with a patina of tragedy.
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