For Orebody, his fifth project in five years, Mickey O’Brien takes the listener even deeper into his soul and psyche as he explores his own inner workings with each song representing a specific emotion. His process to prepare for the writing of these songs involved sitting with a psychotherapist to discuss what triggers that emotion within himself. And listening to the album, one can actually hear and feel how this blue collar MC perceives the world, like standing in his shoes for a moment in time. To provided the musical backdrop for this emotional rollercoaster, O’Brien once again taps the talents of long-time collaborator, MPC button-masher, and Juno-nominated producer Fresh Kils who crushes it on the pads and production. And as co-producer, O’Brien adds further depth to the music with live instrumentation, enlisting the assistance of Zachary Clement (keys), Geoff McCausland (violin), Anthony Rinaldi (sax), Matt Saroka (guitar), and DJ Versatile (turntables), in various combinations. The result is an album to inspire Canadian youth and the working class alike that mental health matters and healing is within reach.
Written and performed by Mickey O’Brien and featured guests
Mickey O’Brien enlists the aid of rap super duo Low U (aka Adam Bomb and D-Sisive) to tackle the subject of anger on “Alchemy”, the third single from his upcoming album, Orebody, a collection of concept songs, each about a different emotion. For this powerful posse cut, the trio of MCs rage over a big, banging beat by Juno-nominated producer and MPC master manipulator Fresh Kils and co-produced by O’Brien. Beefing up the beat even more is Geoff McCauslan on violin, Zach Clement on keys, and DJ Versatile’s crazy cuts on the hook. The combination of all this talent results in a track that is truly epic! But for those who need more, prolific producer Factor Chandelier provides a deeper, darker remix that emphasizes the bass, brings in elements of reggae and electronic music, and replaces the hook between rappers with an intro and outro toasting from additional guest Xoolu.
The accompanying video was shot in and around Toronto’s iconic Play De Record and features a cameo from its legendary owner, Eugene Tam, an instrumental figure in the Toronto urban music scene. The black and white grittiness of the video along with the chaotic camera work and frenetic editing of Boom Shoal’s Dan Jardine adds perfectly to the intensity of the song. The video also serves as Act 2 in a 3-part series that features an angelic female spirit guiding the artist and helping him navigate life.
Written and performed by Mickey O’Brien, Adam Bomb and D-Sisive
DJ Cosm brings in MC's Adam Bomb, Merkules, Fortified Mind (Certain Ones) and Halfcut for a total verbal onslaught. All or Nothing is the second single to drop for the forthcoming LP "Natural Within" set to drop Fall this year.