Washington D.C. rapper/producer Oddisee is what happens when the child of Sudanese immigrants grows up listening to New York hip-hop, his father playing the oud, and with access to the neighboring studio of a member of Parliament Funkadelic (Garry Shider). Fiercely independent, although he’s racked up releases in the double digits (including studio albums, mixtapes, and work with YU and Uptown XO as Diamond District), Oddisee remains one of those little-known cult favorites. His latest release, The Good Fight, might be the album that finally changes that. Lead single “That’s Love” grapples with the tough, gritty sides of love; the relationships that force you to squarely confront your vices. Leaning much closer to a funk song than hip-hop, though Oddisee raps over the hurtling organ, piano, and brass-backed melodies, it also celebrates the way in which someone else’s respect can carry us when our own fails. The Good Fight is described as a reminder that “it’s music before it’s hip-hop.” Genre aside, Oddisee’s priorities are a knockout on this soulful, vulnerable track. Listen.

The Good Fight is out 5/5 via Mello Music Group. Pre-order it here.