Odd Future‘s Domo Genesis has dropped his mixtape Under The Influence…

Under The Influence opens with Mission Statement, beginning with rolling piano scales before the beat drops and Domo begins the mixtape with the words “Started off dreamin’, ended up ballin.” Laying down a message with an impact, the mixtape begins as it means to go on. Through the tracks Boss Life and Guess Whos Back Domo showcases his lyrical tenacity coupled with a deep seeded desire for success.

More Clouds featuring Remy Banks has a brilliant instrumental that has the air of a 70s club and the smooth lyrical hook only adds to the feel of this track. Domo speaks about being a “pot head” and the fact that he does not care about being judged for what he likes. Whole City Behind Us has a similar attitude of flicking the V’s up at people who don’t like Odd Future. Tyler, The Creator jumps on this track with Domo highlighting the success of his album Goblin. The combination of Domo and Tyler on this track makes for a great chance to compare and contrast their respective lyrical styles. Tyler is known for punchlines and obscure references whilst Domo’s more relaxed and honest lyrical style makes for a track where they combine perfectly for arguably the best track on the mixtape.

Respect has the heaviest beat on the mixtape with Domo opening this track with the words “I’m stacking money on top of money”. An aggressively worded track Domo takes no prisoners in a style similar to his fellow Odd Future members. Lets Smoke, you can probably guess what this is about. Domo is quite happy to verbalize life on the road and the “wild nights” he has with Odd Future. A relatively simplistic beat channels your focus to Domo’s rap and the phenomenal wordplay he possesses. Punchline heavy with a chorus that will have you singing along in no time Lets Smoke makes you pretty damn envious of life as hip hop’s Sex Pistols.

Glory, We Major, Shine, Mind Games and and Benediction end the mixtape with a brilliant use of some very familiar instrumental’s especially We Major. Domo adapts his flow for each beat as any good rapper would but maintains the main thematic concern of the mixtape, which is weed. Mixtapes about weed are two a penny, their are hundreds of weed focussed songs from some of hip hop’s finest artists, but Domo delivers another interesting perspective on this mixtape and one that critics will be desperate to criticise. For now Domo is happy to release Under The Influence, this represents him now, a young rapper with a lot to prove as one of the central cogs to the Odd Future movement. The mixtape delivers another member of the Odd Future collective who looks set to have a big impact on the scene.

Odd Future seems to contain a philosophy very similar to the anarchists of old, with a V sign to anyone who wants to stop them. Domo Genesis delivers a powerful mixtape with a lot more than references to his favourite herb. Ending on the comical Smokemon track which takes the Pokemon theme tune and adds an adult content it is clear Domo with always be an odd part of Odd Future.

 

Words by James Deacon