Search - Defari :: Odds & Evens

An unpleasant surprise

Cypherwars | South Africa | 03/14/2004

(3 out of 5 stars)

"Man, even though this came out last year I only got this one this year and I was looking forward, in MY honest OPINION "Focused Daily" far surpasses this mediocre effort. I am sorry!!! but the quality of Focused Daily defies me to give this a proper review. don't get me wrong this album is nowhere below average it's just that I expected better. Only one song caught my attention, "Hooks" , I was kinda hoping that "Say it twice" was here. Hell yeah I am comparing this to Focused Daily , growth or not. 3 stars is fair if not generous. The album is very listenable, but if you really felt his previous effort you'll actually feel like you've been ripped off. If you are new to Defari go for Focused Daily."

A breath of fresh air for the West Coast Rap scene

Cypherwars | 10/24/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Defari's drop of his first album, Focused Daily, really caught my attention. It was filled with skilled rhymes and slick production. Now, he returns to the scene on his second LP, Odds & Evens, which proves that an artist can remain consistent after almost four years of releasing a previous album. The album starts out with "Pick a Number," a battle rap that is unbelievable. Following this is "Inner City," which is filled with tight verses and tradeoff rhymes with E-Swift. "Cold Pieces," the third song is pretty well done. I mostly appreciated the creativity on this track, where he describes girls who pass him by throughout the day. "Spell My Name" is probably the best track on this album. I also enjoyed "Pour More Likwit," "Los Angelinos," and "Hooks." One song that one might not enjoy, especially those who have followed Defari through the years is "Slumpy," which has a sort of G-Funk style production, which you might expect from Snoop Dogg or Dj Quik. However, Defari, handles this track well with his rhyme experience, and the hook to this song pretty funny. I have heard some people say that this album lacks good quality production, but I have to disagree. The production is very well done from Evidence and Dj Babu. I think one has to remember that this is not your average mainstream or commercial album, where some rap artists rely on name brand producers to put in work for every song on their album. The production on this album holds creativity and originality, and Defari's lyrical delivery are superb. This is what underground hip hop is all about, originality and creativity. Overall, this entire album is great, far superior to most rap albums which were released in 2003. If you are tired of the mediocre and repetitive material in most rap albums today, then I suggest you check this album out. Odds & Evens really stands out as one of the greater releases by a West Coast artist within the past few years."

A West Coast Classic

Sage 1 | Los Angeles, CA. | 08/07/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"After dropping his first album, "Focused Daily," Defari is back with a bangin' follow up, "Odds and Evens." From start to finish the album is enjoyable. Defari's lyrics are creative and smoothly polished. The production is also superb, as E-Swift, Evidence, Dj Babu, and Fredwreck contribute their work to the album. What makes the album even greater is Defari's diverse subject matter. He raps about inner city life in the song "Inner City," his childhood in "For the Love," and creativily describes women he encounters in "Cold Pieces." I greatly enjoyed the songs "Spell My Name," "Los Angelinos," and "Hooks." I definitely recommend this album to any hip hop lover, especially those who are looking for a refreshing rap album from a West Coast artist,"