Instrumental Insight • Cam O'bi

Age: 26 • Neighborhood: Humboldt Park • Follow: SoundCloud / Twitter

We covered the talented producer Cam O'bi back in March after releasing the loose instrumental "Loti's Dreamland". The song was his first solo piece in quite some time, but that's not to say that the multi-instrumentalist hasn't been putting in work; Cam has been building up his portfolio so significantly that we felt to include him in this week's edition of Instrumental Insight. While this column is specific to just Chicago producers, Cam O'bi actually hails from Las Vegas and currently resides in Los Angeles. That being said, he happened to live in Humboldt Park for two years from 2012 to 2014, at a formative time in Chicago hip-hop where he did nothing but help.

As a member of the Grammy Award-winning J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League (hey, Rick Ross), Cam has also seen his name pop up for songs with Vic Mensa, J. Cole, FiendBassy, Rejjie Snow, Saba, Towkio, Eryn Allen Kane, Telana, Rockie Fresh, Mick Jenkins, *breathes*, Lungz, Logic, Young Jeezy, Lili K, Wiz Khalifa, Twista, and more. He's all over Acid Rap. He's produced for Lil' Wayne. He provided the heat for Noname and Chance's lyrical back and forth "Israel (Sparring)". Hell, having produced Vic's “Orange Soda” and Chance's “Cocoa Butter Kisses” is enough to make Cam worthy of this article.

While all of those songs in the past, it remains a nice discography of yesteryear. That being said, Cam has yet to release his proper debut project, one both in the works and anticipated. Hopefully something will surface this year; it's just a matter of time. In the between time, Cam has continued to grow, most recently alongside Odd Future tongue twister Domo Genesis. Cam is found throughout Genesis, Domo's debut solo album, appearing on the tracks “Faded in the Moment” and “Wanderer” with Tay Walker. Listen to Genesis. Like right now.

Obviously Cam's reach has extended since dipping out of the Windy City and settling in L.A., collaborating with a constant stream of talent, but that's not to say that he doesn't still represent Chicago to the fullest. He provided the backdrop for Saba's "GPS", his first single of the year, and just last month, a picture surfaced of Cam in L.A.'s Truth Studios with Chicago talents Monte Booker and LBoogie (of THEMpeople). Lord knows what the three of those guys were cooking up, but if it's anything like the significant rundown I just listed, then know that we are all in for a serious treat. Until we hear more, enjoy our Essential Listens playlist and get more familiar with Cam O'bi.