''Starchild'' is the fourth studio album released by American

rapper Rapping (also rhyming, flowing, spitting, emceeing, or MCing) is an artistic form of vocal delivery and emotive expression that incorporates "rhyme, rhythmic speech, and ommonlystreet vernacular". It is usually performed over a backing ...

, O.C. ( D.I.T.C.), in early 2005 through Boston based imprint, Grit Records. The album was initially released in

Japan Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean off the northeast coast of the Asia, Asian mainland, it is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan and extends from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea ...

, with a planned release in the US but it was shelved due to problems with sample clearances for a number of the songs. Unlike O.C.'s previous albums, ''Starchild'' does not feature any guest artists, apart from

Pharoahe Monch Troy Donald Jamerson (born October 31, 1972), better known by his stage name Pharoahe Monch, is an American rapper known for his complex lyrics, intricate delivery, and internal and multisyllabic rhyme schemes.Edwards, Paul, 2009, ''How to Rap: ...

( Organized Konfusion), who is featured on "Evaridae", but only sings the hook. It was also the first album not to feature any production or assistance from members of D.I.T.C. O.C. tried to go for a new sound with talented and lesser known producers, such as Vanguard, Floyd the Locsmif (credited as "Locsmif") and Swedish Soul Supreme. ''Starchild'' also features scratching and cuts performed by DJ Revolution and DJ Statik Selektah. OC and Grit subsequently announced that the Japanese release was a promotional version and not the final official version. They announced that the official release would have additional songs. The album was reported to be remixed by Pete Rock, and renamed ''Soulchild''. Following which, the album was reported to be remixed by !llmind and Slopfunkdust. Neither version was ever released as O.C. left Grit Records.

Reception

Allmusic AllMusic (previously known as All-Music Guide and AMG) is an American online database, online music database. It catalogs more than three million album entries and 30 million tracks, as well as information on Musical artist, musicians and Mus ...

's John Bush states "''Starchild'', recaptured some of the critical acclaim lost with ''

Bon Appetit Bon or Bön (), also known as Yungdrung Bon (, ), is the indigenous Tibetan religion which shares many similarities and influences with Tibetan Buddhism.Samuel 2012, pp. 220–221. It initially developed in the tenth and eleventh centuries but ...

'', and resulted in a new deal with

Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings Hieroglyphics Imperium Recordings is an Oakland, California-based, independent hip hop record label founded and owned by underground hip hop collective, the Hieroglyphics. The label was created by the collective in 1995 to publish and market the ...

Track listing

Samples

*"1nce Again" **"Let Me Know the Truth" by

Four Tops The Four Tops are an American vocal group formed in Detroit, Michigan in 1953 as the Four Aims. They were one of the most commercially successful American pop music groups of the 1960s and helped propel Motown Records to international fame. The ...

https://www.whosampled.com/album/O.C./Starchild/ *"Getaway" **"Fare Thee Well" by Bell & James *"Special" **"You're Special" by

Commodores Commodores, often billed as The Commodores, are an American funk and Soul music, soul group. The group's most successful period was in the late 1970s and early 1980s when Lionel Richie was the co-lead singer. The members of the group met as m ...

*"Story to Tell" **"Try Love Again" by The Natural Four *"The Professional" **"Books and Basketball (Monologue)" by

Billy Preston William Everett Preston (September 2, 1946 – June 6, 2006) was an American keyboardist, singer, and songwriter whose work encompassed R&B, rock, soul, funk, and gospel. Preston was a top session keyboardist in the 1960s, backing Little Richa ...

and

Syreeta Syreeta Wright (born Rita Wright, February 28, 1946 – July 6, 2004), known mononymously as Syreeta, was an American singer-songwriter, best known for her music during the early 1970s through the early 1980s. Wright's career heights were songs ...

*"What Am I Supposed to Do?" **"Walkin' in the Rain With the One I Love" by Love Unlimited *"Ya Don't Stop" **"You're Just What I Need" by

Betty Wright Bessie Regina Norris (December 21, 1953 – May 10, 2020), better known by her stage name Betty Wright, was an American soul music, soul and Rhythm and blues, R&B singer, songwriter and background vocalist. Beginning her professional career ...

*"Memory Lane" **"Remember the Pain" by 21st Century

References

2005 albums O.C. (rapper) albums Albums produced by Statik Selektah {{2005-hiphop-album-stub