Damian Lillard was rapping long before he became a professional basketball star, but his profession is an automatic credibility killer for some rap fans. For those who are comparatively open-minded, they'll hear an understated, competent, and sincere MC throughout
The Letter O.
Lillard relates only what he knows, frequently charting his life's course from humble childhood ("Thermals for PJs, the bills was delayed") to humbly confident stardom ("I won't let that money define me/I let my struggles refine me"), and does so without profane terms. He receives support from fellow Bay Area dwellers (
Brookfield Duece,
Danny from Sobrante) and higher-profile artists (
Lil Wayne,
Marsha Ambrosius) alike, but the best pairing is made with Oakland's finest,
Raphael Saadiq, on the inspiring "Hero."