ODB and Hype Williams
Things we enjoyed – August 2025
Picks from Esther Brandwein and Billie Huang
Ok yeah it is mid September we are posting this. We wrote this at the end of August / start of September but just got around to editing and hyperlinking everything... but this is what we were on for August 2025.
Surf Gang, the underground music collective/label based out of New York City, is full of mastermind producers and artists on the path to blowing up, such as Snow Strippers and Evilgiane. The beautiful touch of Surf Gang has always left me wanting more. So it is no surprise that when I found a collection of mixes Surf Gang has done in collaboration with NTS, I was delighted. My favorite mixes include Eera, DJ Rennessy, and Prblm.
Billie – Jay-Z Imaginary Players Music Video (1997)
I was scrolling on my Youtube homepage a couple days ago and saw this was posted pretty recently. I didn’t know there was a video for this song and was wondering why it was just now being uploaded. Imaginary Players is a classic rap beef track that Jay wrote about Ma$e. I wish rappers still beefed like this. Ok maybe they do but its nowhere near as cool!
I cant really find much about this video but i love any media from the 90s/2000s golden age of hip hop. If i had to bet, it was probably done by Hype Williams. The stuff about this era of hip hop media, fades to black, slowmo, high contrast and compressed video quality is really nostalgic. I did figure out that Cardi B recently came out with her own version of Imaginary Players and thats probably why this video was posted almost 30 years later.
Billie – Keep It Down Pt 2, Kelis (2003)
I just found out like three days ago that this song was produced by Dallas Austin and not Pharrell. This song has The Neptunes written all over it, I can’t believe they didnt produce it. I was listening to this all August thinking it was one of the songs that Pharrell stole all of Kelis’s royalties from. Jokes aside that actually was fucked up. Keep It Down sounds like some shit from In Search Of… I’ve been listening to a lot of Kelis this year but this one is the hyperfixation rn. This is our first month doing our Wiki roundups, but last month’s Kelis hyperfixation was Scared Money (actually produced by The Neptunes). And May/June’s was In Public with Nas. April’s was I Want Your Love (also actually produced by The Neptunes. Ok i could keep going but just know i will probably have a Kelis song on next month’s roundup. Also would like to see Dean Blunt/Babyfather do some magic on another Kelis joint. And i would like to see The Neptunes give Kelis some reparations...
Esther – jackzebra (2019-)
Adding to an already stacked roster of artists to join the New York-based label, Surf Gang signee jackzebra’s rise to American Soundcloud fame has been a beautiful thing to watch. The Chengdu-based artist has been one of the risers from a rapidly growing Chinese cloud rap scene. His lush and angelic take on cloud rap has been looping through my playlists for a better part of the month, especially his newest mixtape, “王中王.”
Billie – Spin Spin Sugar (Original Mix), Sneaker Pimps (1996)
Last week i made myself get off reddit and leave my apartment. I went around the corner to Tschuss and somehow ended up in the back of Brandon’s coupe in the Choteau Taco Bell drive through line. He played my requests as we waited (Twin Peaks soundtrack and Julee Cruise) and his CD of Becoming X that he recently thrifted. I heard demos/original versions of the album singles for the first time. Even though Becoming X is a trip hop grail, I have only heard the US album version. Older physicals are cool because of tracks that arent widely available or found on streaming (this is why i own an Artpop vinyl and CD) (rip Do What U Want). Ok so the Sneaker Pimps single versions are on streaming services and im being dramatic for no reason. But i feel like my rights have been deprived because i was oblivious to this version until recent.
The original version of Spin Spin Sugar is darker and better imo. The music video version and pop/radio version is cool, but the original album mix is cooler. It carries that broody atmosphere i like about trip hop and downtempo. About halfway through the original mix the song has a Lynchian schizo break with creepy noises and laughing. It makes my skin crawl and it’s a little scary and i think the song can do without it but shit is still fire.
While on Sneaker Pimps, I have been listening to Tesko Suicide and Waterbaby a bunch. I like the harmonics on Tesko Suicide and Low Place Like Home. Sneaker Pimps were the best when Kelli was their vocalist. They flopped after they kicked her out #TrustWomen
Esther - Red Burns, Standing On The Corner (2017)
Formed in 2014 in New York, Standing On The Corner has grown from a musical passion project to producing for mainstream artists such as Solange, Earl Sweatshirt, and Danny Brown. Former member Jasper Marsalis, also known as “Slauson Malone”, and as son of Wynton Marsalis, has found a cult-like following. Before all this, in 2017, Standing On The Corner followed up their self-titled debut with a 63-minute-long soundscape of the times. Divided into 2 tracks, aptly named side x and side y. The collective mixes plunderphonics, neo-soul, jazz, and hip-hop across both respective tracks to create a cinematic experience of sound collage. The record also features heavy hitters in the New York music scene, such as MIKE and Lila Ramini of Crumb.
Billie – When Your Eyes Say It, Britney Spears (2000)
Oops… I Did It Again! Isn’t my favorite Britney Spears album or one I listen to often, but When Your Eyes Say It is one of my favorite songs. I’m not usually one for ballads, but the lyrics by Diane Warren are kind of tearjerking and poetic. I love the part towards the end when the strings come in. I also miss when songs used to end by gradually fading out. For no reason ive been listening to this one a lot recently
Esther - Blonder Tongue Audio Baton, Swirlies (1993)
There is something so lovable about this record and noise-pop as a whole. Similar to bands of the time, such as Drop Nineteens, Sonic Youth, and My Bloody Valentine, the album is loud and bombarding when it chooses to be, with streaks of lushness and warmth scattered throughout. Despite this, Swirlies wear their various influences on their sleeve, putting their own spin on the spiky guitars and buzzy loops. The catchy harmonies of “Pancake” makes it a song that sticks out to me as my most played.
From Billie: A few years ago i thought it would be so cool to start a DJ set with Wait Forever. It was honestly probably just really annoying
Billie – Wardrope, Hooverphonic (1996)
Im lazy to write but shit fye. This song and the rest of their first album is a great mix of trip hop, downtempo, and shoegaze and dreampop.
Esther - Oolt Cloud, Advantage Lucy (2001)
I first learned about Japanese dream-pop group Advantage Lucy through their 1999 outing “ファンファーレ.” That album stayed on rotation for me as the years have passed me by, and have left me wanting more of Advantage Lucy’s upbeat philharmonic. Luckily, while scrolling through the depths of rateyourmusic, I found an unreleased EP titled “oolt cloud.” The EP is full of vibrant sounds and colorful instrumentals that remind me of Wong Kar Wai and Gregg Araki films. The melodic 5-track run is near-perfect and the near-pinnacle of the twee-pop sound.
Billie – Just One Nite, Cassie (2006)
Fire track from Cassie’s one and only self-titled album. I wish she would have been able to release the music she worked on after that. I dont know the specifics, but i know it has something to do with Diddy and a Bad Boy contractual obligation? She was not only a victim of Diddy, but her music career also suffered because of it. Her career looked so promising with hits like Me & U and Long Way 2 Go. I like this album but like a third of the songs couldve been chopped. Other favorites from this album are About Time and Kiss Me. Anyways its depressing to think about why her career never took off and what couldve been, but i appreciate the released work we do have from her.
Esther - No Sleep Til N.Y, NEW YORK (2022)
While the irony of NEW YORK being a British outing is not lost on me, No Sleep Til N.Y feels like a true backdrop to the American urban scene, where red scare podcast vocal fry meets obscure and fringe-sounding glitch-pop. With every track, the British duo craft addictive melodies and captivating ballads. A highlight track for me is “Skinny Jeans.”
Billie – Baby, Pharrell and Nelly (2006)
I was never able to get into Nelly’s solo stuff, but i watched his MTV Cribs episode featuring his Lake St. Louis house recently. He is a STL legend and i often see people on the subreddit talking about seeing him at casinos. I dont really know if this song is underrated but i feel like it is, compared to the other songs that get attention from this album. In My Mind is a fav but ive been fixating on this one recently shoutout MTV Cribs.
Esther’s note: Lets be honest, Pharell was on a 2013 Miami Heat Lebron type of run in ‘06
Esther - 3, Mom (2014)
Devi McCallion of Black Dresses and Girls Rituals fame has released dozens of projects over her storied 15-year career. In 2014, she released “3,” under her side project “Mom”, “3” is equally charming and destructive. Emotionally crushing lyrics and hums of desolation are met with the allure of Devi’s DIY ethos and passionate approach to music and songwriting. From front to back, every song on the record makes me feel emotional, a spiritual experience of sorts.
Billie – Jack & The Beanstalk, Lucy Cooper B. Handy, Surf Gang (2024)
This album doesnt really make much sense to me but its fire so who gaf
Esther - Belly, Hype Williams (1998)
Hype Williams debut, starring an array of hip-hop royalty like Nas, Method Man, and the late DMX was my favorite film I caught in the past month. Despite being loathed by critics when first released, Williams orchestrates a symphony of colors and textures of visual design. Shadows and reflections are given more weight, and boundaries of the frame melt together to create a beautiful tribute to light and soul.
From Billie: I also love Belly, its an incredible movie. I wish Hype Williams made more than one movie and the soundtrack is fire. Idk why Esther didnt include any more stills cuz the visuals are so legit, ill put some of my favorite. Before i watched it, i had heard it referenced in rap. A couple months ago when the new Clipse album came out, i was so hype to hear them still referencing Belly.
Some of my (Billie) favorite stills. The Ma$e poster is sooo legit i want her room
Billie – Nylon Smile, Portishead (2008)
Jake and i were at Odditeas, the late night cafe attached to Crack Fox. I got a strange blue matcha that was awesome but what was more awesome is that from when we walked in to when we left, they were playing trip hop. They played Nylon Smile and i literally had to Shazam it because i recognized Beth Gibbons voice but couldnt clock the song. Ive listened to Third a couple times but it was never super memorable compared to Dummy or Self Titled. Sometimes all it takes is hearing a song in a certain context, like at a restaurant or at a function or at Odditeas Cafe at 1116 Olive St. St Louis, MO. Fire track and im glad i appreciate it more because of that
Esther - Paradise Rot, Jenny Hval (2018)
Paradise Rot is the debut novel of Norwegian singer Jenny Hval.” A tapestry of literature gold, Paradise Rot uses environmental storytelling to grapple with identity, queerness, and overall coming of age. Mediating between both embodiment and derealization, Hval teeters on the line between the erotic and the disgusting through a character that is both self-aware and depersonalized. Hval’s 2018 effort is not only a statement on coming of age, but also a philosophical questioning of identity and desire. Despite this, Hval’s literature approach is stuffed full of simile and metaphor, and is not too in your face.
Billie – A$AP Rocky + Spike Lee content
Theyre doing the most for this press run. I watched their conversation with Denzel Washington while de-stringing snow peas at work. Last week i also watched their Track Star episode where they faced off on hip hop knowledge. I liked seeing the love for Oh Girl by The Chi-Lites. Shoutout Tony Soprano
Im a fake Spike Lee fan, i have only seen Do The Right Thing (crying emoji crying emoji laughing emoji cheeseburger emoji), but im excited to see Highest 2 Lowest. Rappers in movies have been important to hip hop culture and culture in general (Belly, Set It Off, Paid in Full, Juice, Poetic Justice, Romeo Must Die), and im excited to see Rocky in one. I was gonna say that rappers in movies are kind of a lost art, but i remember Cudi having his moment with X, Don’t Look Up, and Entergalactic. But lowkey all of those movies were chopped compared to the 90s and 2000s hip hop movies so maybe it really is a lost art. Plus those arent really even hip hop movies, theyre just movies with hella white people and one rapper casted in them #BringBackHipHopMovies. I have also yet to see Dope. The Weeknd was great in Uncut Gems but i also did write a paper for a film studies class about how The Morning was a flop song choice and he shouldve performed The Fall. Mannn i was just writing about anything and complaining about everything like i needed to shut it
My friends are probably tired of hearing me talk about this… but two summers ago, i was at Nomans in Marthas Vineyard with my family when my mom clocked Tonya Lee at the table next to us. And yes, next to her was Spike Lee… i went up to them after we ate. I sounded like a babbling idiot talking to him. So yes i did meet the great Spike Lee once, very nice guy from the small bits i remember from blacking out from being so nervous
Esther’s note: “Do The Right Thing,” was the first film I ever logged on letterboxd back in 2018. Spike Lee forever.
Esther - Indie Rock, Jane Remover (2025)
Released (and then subsequently deleted) to a blank SoundCloud account by Deadair Records, Indie Rock is a 17-track record with a surplus of sounds and samples. The ironically titled “Indie Rock” sees Jane continue to take on a more hip-hop-like sound, a far cry from shoegaze-inspired projects like Venturing and census-designated. Littered with producer tags, videogame samples, and exaggerated vocals. Inspired by a cornucopia of genres, such as Dariacore and rage, Indie Rock is the most fun I've had with a Jane Remover record.
Billie – Twin Peaks (S2), David Lynch & Mark Frost (1990)
This is my first time watching the second season of Twin Peaks. It started out awesome but kind of got Lynchian and fell off. But still good and i cant stop listening to Julee Cruise. Trying to speedrun this so i can watch FWWM. Have definitely been romanticizing The Roadhouse and would do anything for a chilly night watching Julee Cruise perform there.