B. Cox reviews Brooklyn and Diggin in The Crates (DITC) emcee *O.C.* 's second album Jewelz as it turns 25. After his critically acclaimed 1994 debut album Word...Life , O.C. took to the road to tour exclusively for almost three years. When he returned to the booth to record his sophomore album, he did so with an all-star cast of producers. Along with the returning DITC crew member *BuckWild* , who contributed production heavily on his debut, he also welcomed the likes of heavyweights *DJ Premier, Mr. Walt from The Beatminerz, DJ Ogee* and fellow DITC affiliates *Showbiz* and *Lord Finesse*.
Featuring a slightly grittier sound than the jazz infused sound of his debut, O.C. spit his expert storytelling narratives and flexed his lyrical prowess with guest spots from *Freddie Foxx* , R&B singer *Yvette Michele* and the late great *Big L* , who was also a fellow DITC crew member. The album featured one single, "Far From Yours" with Michele, which reached #81 on the Billboard Hot 100.
While not commercially successful, the album has been hailed as both an underground and cult classic and further solidified respect for OC as a lyricist and artist as he avoided the dreaded "sophomore slump."
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*Show Notes*
*O.C.'s 'Jewelz' Turns 20 | Anniversary Retrospective*
https://albumism.com/features/tribute-celebrating-20-years-of-oc-jewelz
*Ambrosia For Heads: O.C. "Jewelz" Turns 20: It May Be The True Diamond In His Discography*
https://ambrosiaforheads.com/2017/08/oc-jewelz-is-a-great-hip-hop-album/
*WesCheddar: Interview with O.C.-Jewelz at 20*
https://westcheddar.com/2020/08/19/the-making-of-jewelz-with-o-c-2017/
*O.C. feat. Yvette Michele "Far From Yours" Music Video*