Oddisee sets New Year's resolutions and follows through. This year alone he's already released two projects—an instrumental album called The Odd Tape and a seven-track EP, AlWasta. His spring tour with his band Good Compny acts as a strong follow-up to last fall's The Good Fight. None of this is surprising; Oddisee has been on top of the independent scene, pulling attention for his multifaceted work as a writer and entrepreneur. Drawing great influence from jazz roots, essential East Coast rap, and his well-noted Sudanese background, he crafts cerebral lines that focus on the value of social currency. In true hip-hop fashion, Oddisee reminds us of where he comes from while looking forward to a new era. EMILY VANKOUGHNETT