A singer, songwriter, and arranger deeply rooted in gospel and soul, Loren Oden has been key to Adrian Younge's multitude of studio projects and live performances dating back to the soundtrack for the 2009 film Black Dynamite. Oden seized the spotlight in 2020 with his first solo album, the Younge collaboration My Heart, My Love, a progressive twist on vintage R&B with a hip-hop perspective.

Oden was raised in the church and in a household that fostered an appreciation for gospel music and classic R&B. This foundation consequently shaped his development as a background singer for the likes of Chaka Khan and Stevie Wonder, as well as Kirk Franklin, Erykah Badu, and Ne-Yo. In 2009, Oden was showcased on Adrian Younge's soundtrack for the blaxploitation homage Black Dynamite. In addition to singing lead on several tracks -- including "Shot Me in the Heart," which he co-wrote -- he was in the background throughout and played vibraphones on one cut. Oden became indispensable to Younge's sessions, whether they were for the producer's vanity projects such as Venice Dawn and the Midnight Hour, or supporting work for the Delfonics, Souls of Mischief, Ghostface Killah, and Bilal. Oden also popped up elsewhere, fronting the Decoders' spin on Rotary Connection's "I Am the Black Gold of the Sun" and featuring on Royce da 5'9's "Dope!" and Big Daddy Kane's "Enough!" (also with Chuck D). Oden's assistance with Younge continued throughout 2020 with the Jazz Is Dead series (albums spotlighting the likes of Roy Ayers and Marcos Valle). Oden and Younge also teamed up to make My Heart, My Love, Oden's first solo album. It was issued that September on Younge's Linear Labs label. ~ Andy Kellman, Rovi