Blk Odyssy just shared an album ft. Joey Bada$$, Wiz Khalifa, and more to acclaim with praise from Grammy, Pitchfork, BET, and more.
Blk has been going viral this year starting with being named Complex’s ‘15 R&B Artists to Watch in 2024’ and his TINY DESK. This is where he previewed a new alt-punkadelic era to complement his signature R&B/soulful sound.
This year he performed a tribute for Bootsy Collins at the Black Music Honors and Exec Produced Rapsody’sPlease Don’t Cry album (both Bootsy and Rap played a huge part in last years DIAMONDS & FREAKS album). He also performed Roots Picnic, performed at Erykah Badu’s birthday and executive producedDuckwrth’s “Greyscale” single — further solidifying his role as a visionary behind the scenes.
Your latest album features major artists like Joey Bada$$ and Wiz Khalifa. How did these collaborations come about, and what was the creative process like when working with such diverse talents?
I think BLK ODYSSY has reached a level where we’re beginning to earn respect from household names. Slowly. These collabs just came naturally—they heard the music and were down to work.
You were named one of Complex’s ‘15 R&B Artists to Watch in 2024.’ How do you balance the excitement of recognition with the responsibility to maintain your unique sound and stay true to your vision?
I thought it was interesting timing. Just as I was named among Complex’s R&B artists to watch, I broke away from the genre and branched out. I don’t mean to confuse the system, but we see ourselves as the top artists to watch overall. R&B was one of the styles that was a part of our journey. The recognition was cool, but our vision of BLK ODYSSY is bigger than just R&B, so in a way, we took that title and said, thank you, but we’re here to expand into many genres.
At your TINY DESK performance, you introduced a new alt-punkadelic era that blends with your signature R&B/soulful sound. What inspired this shift, and how do you see it influencing the future of your music?
For me, it was a powerful statement to introduce a new style on a platform like Tiny Desk. BLK ODYSSY has a distinct sound, with many unique characteristics in the production. I think no matter the genre, those qualities will always be there. Our fans can always expect that consistency.
As you transition into this alt-punkadelic era, how do you ensure your core audience stays connected to your sound while also expanding into new musical territories?
I’m not focused on “keeping” a core audience. There were fans who loved the first two records and were shocked by 1800. Some fans adored the fact that we broadened the sound even more. The best part was that we gained so many new fans. My stage name is ODYSSY, which means the journey. The word “BLK” represents opacity—not being able to guess or see what’s next. My team and I take pride in breaking boundaries and being unpredictable, all while maintaining a specific artistic direction and cinematic feel. If a fan hasn’t figured that out about us yet, then maybe they don’t fully understand what we’re about.
You’ve taken on major roles as an executive producer, notably for Rapsody’s *Please Don’t Cry* album and Duckwrth’s “Greyscale” single. How do you balance being both an artist and a behind-the-scenes visionary, and how do these experiences shape your own music?
Working with other artists and taking the passenger seat in creating is a very humbling process, and that’s important to me. It reminds me that my ideas aren’t always the ones that should prevail. Serving others is also a big part of my life. When I’m able to do that, it fuels my creativity.
Executive producing multiple projects must demand a unique vision. How do you approach working with other artists in a way that complements their sound while incorporating your creative direction?
For me, it’s all about serving the song. I have musical tendencies that I can’t shake—it’ll always sound like me. How it plays a role in the song is what varies. I often try to think beyond my own sound and push back on my tendencies, sometimes even aiming to sound completely different than I would on my records.
This year has been huge for your live performances—performing a tribute for Bootsy Collins at the Black Music Honors, Roots Picnic, and Erykah Badu’s birthday. How do these live experiences feed into your creative energy, and what’s your mindset going into such high-profile performances?
It’s honestly just an honor to share the stage with those who inspired my career. It’s always encouraging to reach these kinds of milestones.
As someone who’s been active in both the mainstream and behind-the-scenes aspects of the industry, what do you want your legacy to be—both as an artist and a producer?
I’d love to be remembered as someone who pushed boundaries and challenged the norm, someone who created safe spaces for creative thinkers to practice tolerance and the art of listening. The art of listening is beautiful because it fosters understanding, which is something we need more of—seeking to understand before seeking to be understood.
With so many groundbreaking projects under your belt, what do you see as the next step for you musically? Are there any new directions or collaborations you’re particularly excited about?
I want to see if I can make people dance and jump more, haha. I want to hypnotize people with frequencies and see if I can provoke new emotions with it.
2024 is already shaping up to be a big year for you, with Complex naming you as an artist to watch. What do you think it is about your music or style that resonates with audiences today, especially in a year where you’ve gone viral?
I don’t feel like we’ve found the mass of our tribe yet. I think that when BLK ODYSSY finds its way into mainstream media, more people will understand what our fans have been obsessed with since the early days. I think what resonates is honesty, vulnerability, and the idea that someone is making it cool to be real.