Blackstreet

Blackstreet‘s “No Diggity” is a 90’s R&B hit that has received much attention in recent years in the form of modern-day remixes and covers; the smooth ballad has influenced projects by Bondax, Gramatik, and Chet Faker, to name a few. With the most recent rendition, Australian-born Jordan Trickey (aka odessa.) puts his spin on Wafia‘s accapella version of this timeless track.

Wafia’s cover—inspired by Chet Faker—utilizes an array of vocal runs, creating a quasi-instrumental on its own. This backdrop is fused with jazzy prose and seamless transitions, providing a novel spin on “No Diggity” while maintaining the original’s integrity. Yet, something felt incomplete.

Enter odessa. to spruce up the already poignant cover and turn it into a masterpiece. Trickey’s addition of striking keys and echoing percussion transitions an unpolished expression into an expansive, developed track. From inspiration to cover to remix, this all-Aussie affair is one of the best Blackstreet reworks to date.