One Be Lo

Artist Information

Biography

There are many poets, and far too many rappers, but the mastery of One Be Lo's wordplay, metaphors, story telling skills, and socially concious lyrics place him in a league above the rest. His ability to translate life experience into music, passion into performance, allows One Be Lo to command attention both on record and stage.

Born just North of Detroit Michigan, Raland Scruggs aka One Man Army would grow up in Pontiac where the once almighty General Motors Corporation would begin to shut down factories that employed thousands, leaving many jobless, and the city wounded. These blue collar origins, would teach him the meaning of hard work, and the impact of Motown in his home would unknowingly plant the seeds for a future artist.

He would end his brief career in jazz band, and he began writing rhymes for fun in 7th grade. By age 16 this aspiring producer was digging in his step-fathers record collection for samples, and recording with highschool friends, during what many would consider to be the golden years of Hip Hop.

The summer after highschool graduation, life would take a drastic turn when One Be Lo's extra-curricular activities would land him in prison for 2 and a half years. While inside Lo embraces the teachings of Islam(changes his name to Nahshid Sulaiman), and along with fellow inmate Senim Silla they would study the music business and form a Hip Hop group called Binary Star.

Upon release Binary Star went straight to work, announcing to friends how they would produced and release their own music. They recorded a 4 song EP("New Hip Hop"/1998), and next an album titled "Waterworld" (1999), while still on parole. Once Waterworld hit the internet, online hip hop magazines and message boards would dub it a " classic". Without touring, publicity, marketing, or management, popular demand would soon prompt Distribution company TRC (San Francisco) to sign a distribution deal that would further push Binary Star (Motu 2000) into playlists across the globe. There are good things that come to an end, and within a 2 year period Binary Star would break up, citing creative differences.

In early 2000, he organized a production team(Trackezoids) and started a new movement/record label called Subterraneous. As an activist, One Man Army would speak to youth in schools, organize workshops, sit on a variety of panels, and work as an ally with student and community organizations across the U.S. As an artist he would produce and rap on Subterraneous Records projects(WaterWorld Too, 2001), that would also help to jumpstart the careers of other recruited Michigan artists such as Decompoze, Octane, Illite, and others. Under Lo's guidance, The Subterraneous collective would build a reputation for destroying stages through out the midwest.

Since his days of little league baseball, Lo has always been a team player, but even then his voice and technique have always stood out amongst the crowd. Subterraneous would release his solo project, "F.e.t.u.s."(2002). Without a manager, a booking agent, or industry connections, he would take his music/ movement to cities all over the US in true road warrior fashion, sharing the stage with the likes of Wu Tang Clan, De La Soul, Mos Def, MF Doom, Rakim, Dead Prez, Ludacris, Lupe Fiasco KRS One, and many more.

From constant Networking and relentless touring, the rising star caught the ears of FatBeats records(New York) and he would become the first artist signed to their label division. He would change his name from One Man Army to One Be Lo to avoid further confusion or potential legal tussles with a Punk Band who shared the same name. FatBeats released "S.o.n.o.g.r.a.m."(2005), URB magazine cites One Be Lo in its "Next 100", and after rave reviews One Be Lo would again earn critical acclaim, this time as a solo artist.

With a reputation as one of the hardest working artist in HipHop, National student organizations such as Hip Hop congress, and Community Organizations such as Iman(Chicago) recruit One Be Lo as an artist/activist/spokesman. Lo becomes a member of the World Champion Massive Monkees BBoy collective(Seattle), and is embraced by BBoy culture performing at international events such as Battle of the Year(Germany) and Freestyle Session(Europe, Asia, U.S.). The Vans Warped Tour(U.S.) booked One Be Lo as one of the few Hip Hop artists on its 60 city rock tour for 3 years. Again in road warrior fashion, Canada and Europe are added to his tour schedule, as well as a hosts of Music Festivals such as SXSW, Bumbershoot, D.E.M.F., CMJ's, Scribble Jam just to name a few. Lo eventually outgrows FatBeats, and convinces them to release him from his contractual obligations.

Frequent travelling to Europe and the Middle East not only broadens exposure, but also his world view of culture and struggle. In 2007 he relocates from Michigan to Cairo. From a Pontiac prince to a King in Egypt, Lo now commutes to Europe and the U.S. To record and tour.

By this time, Lo has worked with Producers like the legendary Pete Rock, as well as Jake One, Vitamin D and Black Milk to name a few. With no label to call home and a new sound, Subterraneous partners with Integral music to release One Be Lo's "R.e.b.i.r.t.h."(2007)album. He spends the summer of 2008 in Seattle working on new movement called "B.a.b.y." (Being a Black Youth). This multi-media project includes not only a documentary, a book, clothing, but toys as well. Being a black youth is not only a Bio of One Be Lo as a youth in Pontiac Michigan, but focuses on the many experiences of youth in school, amongst peers, family, the army, crime and much more all across America. The B.a.b.y. album features artist from all over the U.S. such as Zion I(Oakland), Devin the Dude (Houston), Royce da 5'9(Detroit), Freeway (Philadelphia), Jean Grae (New York), Phonte (N. Carolina) and many others. These artists help not only cosign One Be Lo to be a respectable lyricist, they also tell the story.

With the level of respect among peers, the adoration of fans all over the world, the support of various activists, grassroots organizations and schools throughtout... One Be Lo's universal appeal and unforgetable voice will continue to be heard for a long time.

248*210*3364

Instrumentation

One Be Lo
Use of DJ

Discography

Releases

1998

Binary Star - New Hip Hop b/w Slang Blade, Glen Close, Dat Fast Food Joint (Terrorist / Federation - 1998)
(12 Inch Single)

Side A
01. New Hip Hop
02. New Hip Hop (Instrumental)
03. Slang Blade
04. Slang Blade (Instrumental)
Side B
01. Glen Close
02. Glen Close (Instrumental)
03. Dat Fast Food Joint
04. Dat Fast Food Joint (Instrumental)



Binary Star - New Hip Hop b/w Slang Blade, Glen Close, Dat Fast Food Joint (Terrorist / Federation - 1998)
(Cassette Tape)

Side A
01. New Hip Hop
02. New Hip Hop (Instrumental)
03. Slang Blade
04. Slang Blade (Instrumental)
Side B
01. Glen Close
02. Glen Close (Instrumental)
03. Dat Fast Food Joint
04. Dat Fast Food Joint (Instrumental)


1999

Binary Star - WaterWorld (Terrorist - 1999)

01. Intro
02. New Hip Hop
03. Reality Check
04. Freakin Flowz (featuring Decompoze)
05. Binary Shuffle
06. Dat Fast Food Joint
07. Conquistadors
08. Fellowship (featuring Athletic Mic League & Decompoze)
09. Slang Blade
10. Indy 500 (Decompoze cut)
11. The Evolution of Man
12. What It's All About (featuring Decompoze)
13. Glen Close
14. Honest Expression
15. Wolf Man Jack
16. OneManArmy
17. K.G.B. (featuring Malaki The Most Hi, Texture, Elzhi, O-Type Star, Lacks & J.U.I.C.E.)


2000

Binary Star - Masters Of The Universe (Subterraneous - 2000)

01. Reality Check
02. Conquistadors
03. Solar Powered Intro
04. Solar Powered
05. Slang Blade Intro
06. Slang Blade
07. Binary Shuffle Intro
08. Binary Shuffle
09. Fellowship (featuring Athletic Mic League & Decompoze)
10. New Hip Hop
11. Masters of the Universe
12. Indy 500 (Decompoze cut)
13. Evolution of Man
14. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (part 1)
15. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings (part 2)
16. Honest Expression
17. Honest Expression Outro
18. Glen Close
19. Wolf Man Jack Intro
20. Wolf Man Jack
21. One Man Army
22. K.G.B. Intro
23. K.G.B. (featuring Malaki The Most Hi, Texture, Elzhi, O-Type Star, Lacks & J.U.I.C.E.)
24. Outro


Binary Star - Reality Check b/w Conquistadors, K.G.B. (Subterraneous - 2000)
(12 Inch Single)


Side A

01. Reality Check
02. Reality Check (Instrumental)
03. Conquistadors
Side B
01. Conquistadors (Instrumental)
02. K.G.B. (featuring Malaki The Most Hi, Texture, Elzhi, O-Type Star, Lacks & Juice)
03. K.G.B. (Instrumental)


Binary Star - Solar Powered b/w Masters of the Universe, OneManArmy (Subterraneous - 2000)
(12 Inch Single)


Side A
01. Solar Powered
02. Solar Powered (Instrumental)
03. Masters of the Universe
Side B
01. Masters of the Universe (Instrumental)
02. OneManArmy
03. OneManArmy (Instrumental)



2001

Subterraneous - WaterWorld Too (Subterraneous - 2001)

01. Emerge-In-Sea-Intro
02. SUBstance
03. SUBTERRANEOUS
04. the SAGA CONTINUES
05. Splash
06. Rivers Run Wild
07. Monsters
08. MAG(nificent)7
09. WATERLUDE
10. Player Haters
11. WORD'em UP
12. LIFE in the FAST LANE
13. Pistons
14. JOKES ON YOU
15. MENTAL Planes
16. S.S.A. (double essay's)
17. MILLIPEDE
18. Beat Break
19. WaterWorldWide





2002

Subterraneous - Rivers Run Wild b/w Word'em Up (Subterraneous - 2002)
(12 Inch Single)


Side A
01. Rivers Run Wild (Dirty) - OneManArmy, Kodac, Illite, Magestik Legend
02. Rivers Run Wild (Radio) - OneManArmy, Kodac, Illite, Magestik Legend
03. Rivers Run Wild (Instrumental)
Side B:
01. Word'em Up (Dirty) - BoyOneDa, Magestik Legend, Illite, Kodac
02. Word'em Up (Instrumental)
03. Rivers Run Wild (Acapella) - OneManArmy, Kodac, Illite, Magestik Legend





One Be Lo - Project: F.E.T.U.S. (Subterraneous - 2002)
For Everybody That UnderStands


01. Intro
02. Anybody
03. Lesson #1
04. Mic Check (featuring Buff 1)
05. Dro (featuring Magestik Legend)
06. Fast Food Remix (featuring Magestik Legend, Decompoze & Illite)
07. Take It 2 Da Stage (featuring Decompoze)
08. What Time is it
09. Here and Now
10. Alphabet Soup
11. One Man's Mission
12. WaterWorld
13. The Grinch that Stole Christmas
14. Sportz Illa (featuring Decompoze)
15. Candlestick
16. What it's all about (Remix) (featuring Decompoze)
17. Double Essay (S.S.A.) (Remix)
18. Freakin' Flowz (Remix) (featuring Decompoze)
19. One Man Army (Remix)
Note: This was later picked up by LA Underground and re-released in 2003.







2004

One Be Lo - Rocketship b/w E.T. (Subterraneous / Fat Beats - 2004)
(12 Inch Single)

Side A: "Rocketship"
01. Clean
02. Instrumental
03. Acapella
Side B: "E.T."
01. Dirty
02. Clean
03. Instrumental





2005

One Be Lo - Decepticons (Pete Rock Remix) (Subterraneous / Fat Beats - 2005)
(12 Inch Single)

Side A: "Decepticons (Pete Rock Remix)"
01. Dirty
02. Clean
03. Instrumental
Side B: "Decepticons (Album Version)"
01. Dirty
02. Clean
03. Instrumental





One Be Lo - S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M. (Subterraneous / Fat Beats - 2005)
Sounds Of Nahshid Originate Good Rhymes And Music


01. Intro (1)
02. the UNDERground
03. enecS eht no kcaB
04. Questions (featuring Abdus Salaam & Charmaine Gibson)
05. Oggie
06. Propaganda
07. The Ghetto (featuring Zo-Zer)
08. Axis
09. Sleepwalking (featuring Ka Di)
10. True Love (featuring Decompoze)
11. Interlude
12. Used 2 Be Fly
13. Deceptacons
14. Can't Get Enough (featuring Magestik Legend)
15. Assassinations
16. Evil of Self (featuring Abdus Salaam)
17. The Future
18. E.T.
19. the capital IST
20. Rocketship
21. Unparalleled (featuring Magestik Legend)
22. Follow My Lead







One Be Lo / DJ Scene - S.T.I.L.L.B.O.R.N. (Subterraneous - 2005)
Something To Interest Lo Listeners Beyond Original Recorded Networkings
Subterraneous/Trackezoids Invest Lost Lyrics Bringing Old Rhymes New

01. Dick Head Tracy (featuring Boom Bap Project)
02. What You Know
03. Ben Frank
04. Lyrictricity
05. Timelines (featuring Illtone, Asylum 7, Finale, Magestik Legend, Octane, Illite & 3rd Degree)
06. The Genesis
07. Make Beleive (featuring Musab)
08. The Host
09. The Hood
10. Whatupdoe
11. Pressure's On (featuring Magestik Legend)
12. You Can Tell
13. Deceptacons (Pete Rock Remix)
14. Unparralleled (Original) (featuring Decompoze)
15. Set It Off
16. War Report (Interlude) (featuring Magestik Legend)
17. Ya Never Know
18. Lost In The Shuffle
19. Behind The Music (featuring Magestik Legend)
20. The Bomb
21. The Fever
22. World Wide (Remix) (featuring Magestik Legend, Illite, Kodac, Decompoze & Octane)
23. Get Some
24. Rhetorical
25. Rocketship (Zo! Remix)
26. Cold War
27. Wake Up (Original) (featuring Ka Di) aka Sleepwalking (Original)





One Be Lo - Sleepwalking b/w Unparalleled (Subterraneous / Fat Beats - 2005)
(12 Inch Single)

Side A: "Sleepwalking" (featuring Ka Di)
01. Dirty
02. Clean
03. Instrumental
Side B: "Unparalelled" (featuring Magestik Legend)
01. Dirty
02. Instrumental
03. Unparalleled (Original) (featuring Decompoze)





2007

OneManArmy - Project: F.E.T.U.S. (Re-Issue) (Subterraneous / LA Underground - 2007)
For Everybody That UnderStands

CD 1
01. Intro
02. Anybody
03. Lesson #1
04. Mic Check (featuring Buff 1)
05. Dro (featuring Magestik Legend)
06. Fast Food Remix (featuring Magestik Legend, Decompoze & Illite)
07. Take It 2 Da Stage (featuring Decompoze)
08. What Time is it
09. Here and Now
10. Alphabet Soup
11. One Man's Mission
12. WaterWorld
13. The Grinch that Stole Christmas
14. Sportz Illa (featuring Decompoze)
15. Candlestick
16. What it's all about (Remix) (featuring Decompoze)
17. Double Essay (S.S.A.) (Remix)
18. Freakin' Flowz (Remix) (featuring Decompoze)
19. One Man Army (Remix)
CD 2
01. Intro
02. Here And Now (Remix)
03. What Time Is It (Remix)
04. One Man's Mission (Remix)
05. Sports Illa (Remix)
06. Lesson #1 (Remix)
07. Anybody (Remix)
08. One Man's Mission (Remix) (Instrumental)
09. One Man's Mission (Instrumental)
10. Anywhere (Instrumental)
11. Anybody (Remix) (Instrumental)
12. Here And Now (Instrumental)
13. Here And Now (Remix)*
14. Waterworld (Instrumental)
15. What Time Is It (Instrumental)
16. Waterworldwide (Instrumental)
17. Sports Illa (Remix) (Instrumental)
Note: This tracklist was composed by me, it is NOT the offical tracklist, because there was no tracklist for this bonus cd.
* This track (2-13) is exactly the same as track 2-02.





One Be Lo - The R.E.B.I.R.T.H. (Subterraneous - 2007)
Real Emcee's Bring Intelligent Rhymes To Hip-Hop

01. Rebirth
02. Born & Raised
03. Keep it Rollin' (featuring Marvin Scruggs)
04. Smash
05. Headlines
06. War
07. Don't Sleep
08. House Rules
09. Snap Shot
10. The G Gap
11. Gray
12. Hip Hop Heaven
--. Massive Monkees (Hidden Track)




Guest Appearances





2000

S.U.N. - School Of Thought (Black Soul On Vinyl / Silent Riot - 2000)
15. Writings (featuring One Man Army)






2001




Athletic Mic League - The Thrill is Gone (Lab Techs - 2001)
11. Lyrictricity (featuring One Be Lo)






Athletic Mic League - Lyrictricity (Lab Techs - 2001)
(12 Inch Single)



01. Lyrictricity (featuring One Man Army) (dirty)
02. Lyrictricity (instrumental)
03. Lyrictricity (featuring One Man Army) (Remix)
04. Lyrictricity (acapella)
05. My Time [Stonehedge Theory] (Remix)
06. My Time (Remix) (instrumental)
07. Non-Stop (Remix)
08. Non-Stop [The 8 Sideways] (Remix) (instrumental)





Ron Dada - LowLands (Lowlands - 2001)

Weapons (featuring Apokalypse, Proof, OneManArmy & Miz Korona)
Tracklist unknown at this time...





Frontline - Overlooked (Frontline - 2001)

08. Watch Your Back (featuring One Man Army)






2002

Athletic Mic League - Sweats & Kicks (Lab Techs - 2002)

07. F.E.V.E.R. (featuring One Man Army)






Funktelligence - Earthtones (Funktell - 2002)

06. The Movement (featuring One Be Lo)






The Planets - The Opening (Red Sea - 2002)

09. The Medicine (featuring One Be Lo)





Frontline - Sine Language (Frontline - 2002)

12. Chauncie Gardner, One Be Lo





Musab - Respect the Life (RhymeSayers - 2002)

16. Make Believe (featuring One Be Lo)






DJ Graffiti - Bling Free Volume 2 "Wake Up" (Bling Free - 2002)

04. One Man Army - Exclusive






2003

S.U.N. - The Art Of S.U.N. (Black Soul On Vinyl / Silent Riot - 2003)

10. Blaze A Path (One Man Army)





Verbal Kent - Alien Rock b/w Combat, The Remix (Gravel - 2003)
(12 Inch Single)



Side A
02. Combat (featuring One Be Lo) (Clean)





PhilaFlava Presents: A League Of Our Own (Phila Flava - 2003)
s
11. Boom Bap Project & One Man Army - Dickhead Tracy






2004

Scribble Jam Compilation Volume 2 (Scribble Magazine - 2004)

03. One Man Army - Behind The Music






Verbal Kent - What Box (Gravel - 2004)

12. Combat (featuring One Man Army)






2005

Zo! - Re:Definition (Verse 5ive - 2005)

05. One Be Lo - Rocketship (Remix)






Boom Bap Project - Welcome To Seattle (Mixed By DJ Scene) (Rhymesayers - 2005)

10. Dickhead Tracy (featuring One Be Lo & DJ Scene)






2006

The GMC and ERC - Dedicated (Fusion Deal - 2006)

09. All In (featuring El da Sensei & One Be Lo)






Octane & Illite - The Forgotten...Chosen (Subterraneous - 2006)

07. Bassline (featuring One Be Lo & Kodac)

11. Clap (featuring One Be Lo & Elzhi)






Deep Rooted - The Second Coming (Open Myndz Entertainment - 2006)

04. Break Of Dawn (featuring One Be Lo)






2007

EV Records Presents - Everything (EV Productions - 2007)

14. One Be Lo & Longshot - Learn





Decompoze - Decomposition (Subterraneous / LA Underground - 2007)

02. Lap 2 (featuring One Be Lo)

05. All Out (featuring J.U.I.C.E., Invincible, One Be Lo & Elzhi)

13. We Over Here (featuring Octane, Illite & One Be Lo)
14. Freakin Flo's (featuring One Be Lo)






Black Milk - Popular Demand (Fat Beats - 2007)

16. Take It There (featuring One Be Lo)





Buff1 - Pure (Lab Techs / A-Side Worldwide - 2007)

09. Much Better (featuring One Be Lo)






cap D - Return Of The Renegade (All Natural Inc. - 2007)

05. The Answer (featuring One Be Lo)






cap D - Return Of The Renegade (12" Vinyl) (All Natural Inc. - 2007)

05. The Answer (featuring One Be Lo)






Boom Bap Project - The Shakedown (Rhymesayers - 2007)

03. Get With This (featuring One Be Lo)






Dante & Deck - The FixTape (Havoc - 2007)

15. Squawk And Roll Redux (featuring One Be Lo)






The Aztext - The Sacred Document (AZT - 2007)

03. Lettin' You Know (featuring One Be Lo)






Octane & Illite - Bassline (On The Warthpath - 2007)
(7 Inch Single)



01. Bassline (featuring Kodac & One Be Lo)






2008

DJ Cadik - Basic (All Soundz - 2008)

04. One For You (featuring One Be Lo)






Dyme Def - 3 Bad Brothaaas Mixtape (800 LB. - 2008)

10. Bring It Back (featuring One Be Lo)

Buck)





Longshot - Addicted (EV Productions - 2008)

17. Care Enuf (featuring One Be Lo, Ang13 & Ka Di)






Unknown

Misc. / Unknown
Cymarshall Law - Family (featuring One Be Lo)






DJ Flip & Freezemaster Slick - Crossroads (All City - Upcoming)
(12 Inch Single)



--. Grip Grand, Zumbi & One Be Lo - Crossroads
--. Grip Grand, Zumbi & One Be Lo - Crossroads (End of the Rainbow Remix)





DVDs

2003 - Brainstorm Battle 2 - Brainstorm Battle
2004 - Brainstorm Battle 3 - Brainstorm Battle
2004 - 2 Oh Six Step - Massive Monkees
2004 - SUB TV Vol. 1 - Subterraneous
2004 - Battle of the Year '03 - Battle Of The Year



BoyOneDa, OneManArmy, Lofat, The Anonymous = One Be Lo

Official Website

http://www.myspace.com/onebelo

Links

• Myspace

Audio

• Headlines
  Listen   Download
• Gray
  Listen   Download
• War
  Listen   Download
• House Rules
  Listen   Download
• Rebirth
  Listen   Download
• Born and Raised
  Listen   Download
• Dont Sleep
  Listen   Download

Lyrics

• Beef
• Sunshine
• Sugar
• Find A Way
• HisStory
• Family Feud
• Sleepwalking
• Slingshot

Video

Reality Check

Photo Gallery

Press

• One Be Lo - The R.E.B.I.R.T.H. [+ Show ]
  

  /Artist: One Be Lo Album: The R.E.B.I.R.T.H. Promotion: Print Publicity and Online Marketing D.../Artist: One Be Lo
  Album: The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.
  Promotion: Print Publicity and Online Marketing
  Duration: 12/6-19. Break. 1/7-3/17/08 (12 weeks)
  Report No: 6 of 6. FINAL. Weeks 11-12 (March 3rd - 17th, 2008)
  
  Summary:
  The press campaign for One Be Lo had a remarkably successful fun in just three short months. We were able to land 11 reviews and 2 feature articles in a variety of print publications, including local alternative weeklies, glossy magazines, and newspapers. . These publications include some of the most influential and widely read of their kind.
  
  We secured 29 reviews, 19 feature articles, and dozens of multimedia and press release postings on a slew of websites and blogs from all over the world, including AllMusic.com, AllHipHop.com, Okayplayer.com, and RapReviews.com. Highlights include:
  
  • Feature of the week on RapReviews.com early in the campaign
  • Featured artist on Music.Download.com
  • Featured artist on Mp3.com on day of release with Email Blast inclusion
  • Inclusion of track on XLR8R’s weekly Podcast
  
  
  Most, if not all, of the reviews and feedback was incredibly positive. There was some debate, however, as to whether this was Lo’s best effort yet or if SONOGRAM was better.
  
  We created and disseminated four press releases announcing the upcoming album and various audio stream blasts. These audio blasts were posted on influential blogs and helped set the stage for the forthcoming album.
  
  We also raised awareness on Lo on social networking sites. We set up his account on Imeem.com and secured a featured artist profile on MySpace for March 24th.
  
  In lieu of a music video, we created a montage video of the singles on all the major video sharing sites: YouTube, MySpace, MetaCafe, Google, Revver, DailyMotion, Blip, Veoh, and Crackle.
  
  We used One Be Lo’s image in a media buy campaign for the American Civil Liberties Union campaign on raising awareness of the Guantanamo Bay prisons, which had thousands of impressions on three of the most well-read music websites, PopMatters.com, HipHopDx.com, and OkayPlayer.com. We also set up a handful of contests for simple autographed giveaways to help stimulate interest.
  
  Working with Lo and Integral Music was a pleasure and we look forward to working with you again soon!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  CONFIRMED COVERAGE:
  PRINT PUBLICATIONS:
  ? BackSpin Magazine (Germany) - review
  ? Boston Herald - review
  ? Emory Wheel (Emory University) - review
  ? Hip Hop Connection (UK) - review (March)
  ? Livingston Weekly - review
  ? Metro Times Detroit - feature
  ? OC Weekly - review
  ? Remix - review (March)
  ? SKUNK Magazine - review (Issue 4.3)
  ? Thick Magazine (Canada) - review
  ? Touch Magazine - review (late Feb)
  ? Vapors Magazine - Hello My Name Is feature
  ? Wide Eyed Magazine - review (April)
  ? XLR8R Magazine - review (April)
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  WEBSITES:
  Confirmed: (strikethrough indicates that the article has been published, while no strikethrough means that the article has been confirmed)
  ? AllHipHop.com - review, feature
  ? AllMusic.com - review
  ? AntiMusic.com - PR, review
  ? ArtOfRhyme.co-feature
  ? Ballerstatus.net - PR "Gray", review, feature
  ? BasementFlavor.com - "War"
  ? BlackMenInAmerica.com - review
  ? CanineMind (blog) - review
  ? CBMag.co.uk - review, feature
  ? CyberKrib.com - audio
  ? DirtyFutureMedia (blog) - PR
  ? DoneWaiting.com - review and interview
  ? DropMagazine.com - interview
  ? FineSoulBlogspot (blog) - Review
  ? Grind-Mode.com - review
  ? HipHopCosign.com - PR
  ? HipHopDx.com - review ACLU feature
  ? HoodGrownOnline.com - PR, feature
  ? HypeMagazine (blog) - "Born & Raised" audio
  ? IndieFeed Podcast - included "Headlines in podcast
  
  
  
  ? IndustryCosign.com - PR, feature
  ? ItsHipHop.com - review
  ? KevinNottingham (blog) "Born & Raised" audio
  ? LeisureLab.com "Born & Raised" audio
  ? Mp3.com artist feature for week of release, email blast
  ? Music.Download.com - Pick of the Day feature
  ? MusicEmissions.com - PR
  ? MVRemix.com - PR
  ? MySpace.com - Featured artist on 3/24
  ? Neufutur.com (blog) - PR, review
  ? OhDangMag.com - review
  ? OkayPlayer.com - news feature, review
  ? OneTwoOneTwo.com - PR, review
  ? Platform8470.com - feature, another feature
  ? PopMatters.com - review
  ? PrefixMag.com - review
  ? RapLounge.de - review
  ? RapReviews.com - feature, review
  ? RubyHornet.com - feature
  ? SixShot.com - review, feature
  ? SoundSlam.com - PR, "Gray", review, feature
  
  
  
  ? StreetHop.com - PR
  ? Synthesis.net - "Born" mp3
  ? ThaHipHop.com - review
  ? TheOwlMag.com -review
  ? TheHypeMagazine.Blogpost.com - PR
  ? ThickOnline.com - review
  ? UGHH.com - feature
  ? UGRap.de - review
  ? UrbanConnectionz.com - review
  ? WakeYourDaughterUp (blog )- review, feature
  ? XLR8R.com - PR, download for INCITE section
  ? YoRaps.com - PR
  
  
  Audio Streams:
  
  ? 1400 Audible Treats audio streams
  ? 35,898 from 2 Iconocastic Podcasts
  ? 85 from imeem.com
  ? 4009 YouTube montages
  ? 41,392 TOTAL Downloads and Streams
  
  
  
  Quotes (excerpts from album reviews):
  o "Lo busts observant rhymes with tremendous panache" - Boston Herald (1/18/08)
  o "One Be Lo came correct with “The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.” – an album that just flows from track to track and can play over and over again. You’d be crazy not to pick up a copy. Actually, pick up a couple. Give them to your friends for the holiday season – this album will make a great gift." - FineSoul.Blogspot.com
  o "Combining a sharp delivery and complex rhyme schemes with lyrics that are intellectual while still universally comprehensible, Lo kicks verses that demand repeated listens—both to admire his technical skills and to process his messages." - ItsHipHop.com
  o "The album is one of the best that captures the essence of hip-hop; thoughtful lyrics and classic production." - ThaHipHop.com
  o "Will definitely be mentioned at year's end as a top Hip Hop release for 2008." - Soundslam.com
  o "One Be Lo`s one of the best Underground Mcs in the game right now,with dope Flows,top notch lyrics and production to match" - CBMag.co.uk
  o "With production that’s just as full-bodied as One Be Lo’s notebook, The R.E.B.I.R.T.H. is full of songs that are great all around, not just because it’s Lo rapping on it." - HipHopDx.com
  o "will definitely be mentioned at year's end as a top Hip Hop release for 2008." - SoundSlam.com
  o "With his LP, One Be Lo proves that he's got the underground hip-hop realm on lock." - Urban-Connectionz.com
  o Rating: 4/5 stars: "The R.E.B.I.R.T.H. is a continuation of quality indie hip hop in a genre largely saturated with non-talent." - OkayPlayer.com
  o "One Be Lo has always been considered one of the most talented lyricists in the game, his verses dense with wordplay, rhymes, and spirituality." - RapReviews.com
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Audible Treats
  Online Marketing Screenshots
  
  
  
  
  
  
  From www.emorywheel.com 10
  From Hip Hop Magazine 12
  From www.mp3.com 13
  From www.mp3.com 14
  From www.mp3.com newsletter: 15
  From www.music.download.com: 16
  From Remix Magazine: 17
  From www.soundslam.com: 19
  From www.xlr8r.com: 20
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  From www.emorywheel.com
  
  
  
  From Hip Hop Magazine
  
  
  
  From www.mp3.com
  
  
  
  From www.mp3.com
  
  
  
  From www.mp3.com newsletter:
  
  
  
  From www.music.download.com:
  
  
  
  From Remix Magazine:
  
  
  
  From www.soundslam.com:
  
  
  
  From www.xlr8r.com:
  
  
  
  

• One Be Lo - The R.E.B.I.R.T.H. [+ Show ]
  

  One Be Lo “The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.” Album Review I’m a hip-hop giver, man. What can I say? I carry aroun...One Be Lo “The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.” Album Review
  I’m a hip-hop giver, man. What can I say? I carry around this flash drive with my favorite underground hip-hop albums on it. I give them to my friends and family who are hip-hop heads also. I guess I just think it’s a nice thing to do. From my standpoint, there’s no better gift than some dope hip-hop – some shit you don’t know exists, but couldn’t imagine never hearing.
  Because of this, the holidays are some of my favorite times. Every year I pick out my official holiday hip-hop album of the year – usually right around a week before Christmas. I get a copy for both of my brothers, my homies who don’t have access to much of the underground, and a couple to some beloved haters who only listen to the radio and then complain that hip-hop just ain’t what it used to be. I like to give it to them for Christmas, or Hanukkah, or Kwanzaa, or New Years.
  
  This year’s holiday pick is One Be Lo’s “The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.” If you’re looking for something to get your fam, or just some late stocking stuffers for the kids, I highly recommend this album. It is yet another brilliant creation by one of hip-hop’s best lyricists, as well as a very comprehensive album that has something to offer for every type of hip-hop fan on your gift list.
  
  Production
  The production on “The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.” shows quite an evolution from Lo’s last album “s.o.n.o.g.r.a.m.” – which contained all different beatsmakers, including tracks done by One Be Lo himself. For this album, Lo apparently decided to go elsewhere for production – and it made for an nice change.
  
  For the most part, Lo stuck with jazzier laid back beats that seem to best accentuate his lighter approach on the mic – stretched out baselines, symbol crashes, and soulful samples. Texture’s Rebirth and House Rules, Eric G’s Snap Shot, and D.L. Jones’ Gray should hit for those of you who enjoy that soul hip-hop.
  
  However, the middle of the album takes a little heavier approach, allowing One Be Lo to demonstrate faster-paced battleish vocals with crisper base, blaring horns, and electronic key or string riffs. Jake One’s Smash, Texture’s Headlines, Bean One’s War, and Vitamin’s D’s Don’t Sleep are the tracks that seem best fit to give you that head-nod-induced neck ache.
  
  Lyrics
  Lyrically, there are few emcees that are above One Be Lo – and “The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.” does little to change that. I continue to find myself rewinding track after track as creative verses catch my ear. The majority of the verses in this album are quotable, but some of my favorites are below.
  
  Smash is a song about how mainstream recognition means very little, and proclaims that One Be Lo doesn’t need his album to blow to be considered successful. The following verse gives a great depiction of the mind state of an underground emcee more concerned with art than fame.
  
  A starving artist recited, feel the hunger inside it/
  So vivid when I spit it you picture – I didn’t write it/
  I lived it/
  Dollar signs don’t inspire these lyrics/
  Gold diggers for the mic – so enticing I’m Givens/
  Partaking the game survival of fittest/
  Of course Tiger Woods with the club banging Titelist, get it?/
  Got it? Good. Record it with Bonnie and mix it/
  Oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen – the mind of a chemist/
  No green, pot of gold, isle of midgets/
  I’m lucky just to see the rainbow – keep my eyes on the prism/
  Intoxicated with colors, high and the sky is the limit/
  I’m not flattered you biters, you can hire a dentist/
  
  Headlines is a track about the things people do, and the events we read about in the paper. In that song, One Be Lo spits a creative verse from the point of view of a caveman thawed after thousands of years frozen in ice:
  
  There was a caveman frozen in the ice/
  But the greenhouse effects thawed his ass back to life/
  He woke up in New York City to his surprise/
  He couldn’t believe his nose, his ears, or his eyes/
  Looking at the people he could tell something was wrong/
  Watched the television and radio all night long/
  Newspapers and magazines – something is wrong/
  He said ‘They got technology/
  And they got democracy/
  But all I can see is chaos, monopoly/
  Robbery, mockery, hypocrisy, debauchery’/
  
  My favorite track on “The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.” is Don’t Sleep, a song based on The Art of War and the teachings of Sun Tzu. The following verse gives a little advice on street philosophy:
  
  These wild cats take more shots than Villanova/
  That fiend will kill you over little rocks lil’ soldier/
  Marching up the street – and he ain’t even focused/
  Over the ocean/
  He focused on the war up on the corner/
  Swollen with a shogun assassin any moment/
  That shit could pop soda/
  This is like Coca-Cola/
  The caffeine could keep you awake/
  A cat nap could be a mistake/
  Any cat could be the jake/
  And anybody up in your face/
  Could be a tortoise or a snake/
  But remember the hare lost the race/
  
  There’s really not a disappointment on this album in terms of lyrics, beats or flow. One Be Lo came correct with “The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.” – an album that just flows from track to track and can play over and over again. You’d be crazy not to pick up a copy. Actually, pick up a couple. Give them to your friends for the holiday season – this album will make a great gift. Peace.
  

• One Be Lo: S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M. [+ Show ]
  

  One Be Lo: S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M. Subterraneous/Fat Beats, 2005 It’s been a while since I’ve been com...One Be Lo: S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.
  Subterraneous/Fat Beats, 2005
  
  It’s been a while since I’ve been completely blown away by an album, but this one’s amazing. Not only is One Be Lo (formerly OneManArmy of Binary Star) an incredible MC, but the production here is exceptional. With jazzy, sometimes experimental breaks and socially conscious, thoughtful lyrics, there are literally no weak tracks. Plus you’ve got to respect a rapper who name-checks Alice Coltrane.
  
  I’ve got eight favorite tracks! “enecS eht no kcaB” sounds like a Premier production, with laid-back keyboards and atmospheric scratching. One Be Lo’s rap is pure literature. He assures, “Even when I’m dissing you I’m being sincere.” “Questions” featuring Abdus Salaam and Charmaine Gibson has an even jazzier break, sounding like some ’60s-movie beatnick party. But the lyrics are serious: “Billions of dollars being wasted to drop bombs on Bedouin families/’cause they tamper with Bush’s poppy seeds… welfare recipients turn to warfare participants….” Over a lone horn, the track breaks down and flows into “Oggie” where One Be Lo raps about death and hope. “Axis” has a wicked bassline, but One Be Lo’s social commentary is even more striking. He talks drugs, violence, and religion, lamenting, “Some of us dying over a few bucks;/killer’s old enough to ride a school bus.” On a less serious note, “True Love” featuring Decompoze (who produced many of these tracks) is a love song over a sweet jazz loop.
  
  Three cuts have already appeared on singles. “Deceptacons” got the Pete Rock remix treatment. Here it’s short and funky, about a friend who transformed into an enemy. “Rocketship” has a beat last used by Anticon. It’s a battle track that’s critical of the rap industry. Its B-side “E.T.” is an amusing, pop-culture-filled love song. Don’t let these titles mislead you—One Be Lo isn’t a sci-fi rapper. He’s bigger than that. The last couple of years have seen a renaissance of underground hip-hop, and One Be Lo’s album is among the best of the bunch.
  

• One.Be.Lo (aka OneManArmy of Binary Star) - ?The Birth Of One.Be.Lo? [+ Show ]
  

  One.Be.Lo (aka OneManArmy of Binary Star) - ?The Birth Of One.Be.Lo? Contributed by: Todd E Jones ...One.Be.Lo (aka OneManArmy of Binary Star) - ?The Birth Of One.Be.Lo?
  Contributed by: Todd E Jones aka New Jeru Poet
  Source: The Elements
  Posted on: March 10, 2005 11:00 PST
  Filed under: Rap
  
  
  
  
  Lyrics can make or break an emcee. For One.Be.Lo, lyrics and concepts are priority in hip-hop. Also known as OneManArmy from the group Binary Star, One.Be.Lo is becoming one of the most respected lyrical emcees in the underground. Raised in Michigan, One.Be.Lo?s involvement in Binary Star earned him critical acclaim. The ?Waterworld? LP by Binary Star was an album where all the verses were dropped in one take. After being picked up by a distributor, the name of the LP was changed to ?Masters Of The Universe?. Eventually, Binary Star disbanded due to creative differences. OneManArmy changed his name to One.Be.Lo and focused on his solo career. Unfortunately, One.Be.Lo became involved in illegal activity, which resulted in him having to do a bid in prison. While incarcerated, he did the time and did not let the time do him. After converting to the Muslim religion, One.Be.Lo grew to be more focused and determined than ever before. Once released, he helped Subterraneous Records grow. Along with Trackezoids, One.Be.Lo released his unofficial solo project ?F.E.T.U.S.?, which was to prepare fans for his release ?L.I.F.E.?. Before we could experience ?L.I.F.E.?, One.Be.Lo released his official solo album ?S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.? (an acronym for ?Sounds Of Nashid Originate Good Rhymes And Music?). Released by Subterraneous Records and Fat Beats, ?S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.? is rich in themes, concepts, and lyrics. One.Be.Lo rides the beats from Trackezoids and rocks mics with Abdus Salaam, KaDi, Decompoze and Magestik Legend. From the opening track ?Underground?, there is an instant emotional and rhythmical takeover of the listener?s body and mind. ?Propaganda? discusses hype and the machine behind the hype as One.Be.Lo mentions the Internet, magazines, and many more. A truly heartfelt performance is evident on ?Oggie?, a song about a lost person. On a cold, winter evening in 2005, I had an insightful conversation with the emcee. As ?S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.? represents a stage during pregnancy, One.Be.Lo has finally been born. The birth of One.Be.Lo is a soulful and intelligent gift to hip-hop. The next generation of lyrical emcees has been born.
  
  T.JONES: ?What goes on??
  ONE.BE.LO: ?Man, I?m just trying to get the word out there. I want to let cats know what?s going on and what we are bringing to the table.?
  
  T.JONES: ?Your debut solo album is called ?S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.? Tell us about it.?
  ONE.BE.LO: ?Yeah, ?S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.? is basically a formal introduction of One.Be.Lo to the listener. I was apart of other projects in the past, but I didn?t feel that I truly introduced myself as an artist with those projects. On those projects, I don?t think the listener walked away knowing who I truly was. ?S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.? shows the listener who I am, what I bring to the table, and what I am like as an artist. Now, they can hear my style and delivery. The album is a good representation of me.?
  
  T.JONES: ?What was the transition like from being OneManArmy in Binary Star to going solo and becoming One.Be.Lo??
  ONE.BE.LO: ?I think the transition was freedom. It?s funny because many people do not know that the same people who put that other album together are still here. Other than the other emcee spitting the verses, I?m still making music the way I make music. The only difference is the label on the CD. It just has a different name on it.?
  
  T.JONES: ?Will there be another Binary Star album??
  ONE.BE.LO: ?We tried to link up and do it, but I seriously doubt it. I think we just got to that fork in the road 4 years ago and I felt that it would not work. A couple of years past, I was like ?Let?s see if we can make this work because people love this sh*t?.? At that point, we were just way past that fork in the road. He was on that side and I was on this side. We were just on different sh*t. Whatever that means. You can listen to his music and enjoy it. You can listen to my music and enjoy it. That doesn?t mean we can work together. Artists are real, real picky and real, real closed minded. They can be real, real strongly opinionated. If there ain?t no real chemistry, it ain?t going to work.?
  
  T.JONES: ?Do you have a favorite song on ?S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.???
  ONE.BE.LO: ?I don?t really make songs. I make albums. You know? When I start recording, I record a whole project. It varies from time to time and what mood I?m in. I only listen to a certain number of albums. I?m not the kind of person who goes straight to track 13. I put the sh*t in, start at track one, and I listen to it. If I can?t make a record like that, I won?t do it. Obviously, the tracks have to stand on their own. I don?t really have a favorite. It kind of depends on what mood I?m in and where I am at. If I had to choose, the track that best represents me is ?Rocketship.? That is just some emcee sh*t. The beat is tight. I?m just doing some One.Be.Lo sh*t on there. That?s one of the best representation of some emcee sh*t.?
  
  T.JONES: ?Can you explain the title ?S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.???
  ONE.BE.LO: ??S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.? is an acronym. It is kind of secondary to what it means. The acronym stands for ?Sounds Of Nashid Originate Good Rhymes And Music?. It is basically saying what you will get from me. Dope rhymes and dope beats. Good music. It is not good in the sense that you think ?He?s talented?. It is more like ?That was refreshing?. They walk away with something that can stir some thoughts and bob their head to. I want cats to see who I truly am as I person and as an artist. It?s like an actual sonogram.?
  
  T.JONES: ?Can you explain the ?F.E.T.U.S.? project??
  ONE.BE.LO: ?I?m all about concepts. It all kind of happened accidentally. I wanted to make that music that was for everybody. There was a time when you listened to ?Children?s Story? by Slick Rick and anybody who listened to hip-hop, loved that sh*t. There wasn?t a West Coast thing or a down South thing. It was hip-hop. Lo is for everybody. That is the kind of music I make. I was working on this project called ?L.I.F.E.? and I had these tracks laying around. ?L.I.F.E.? was so dope to me. I wanted to show people my development. I pressed up 1,000 copies just for the cats in my website. I called it ?F.E.T.U.S.? because it showed my developmental stages leading up to ?L.I.F.E.? It was all an accident. I pressed it up, didn?t promote it, and didn?t tell anybody it was coming. I sold the first 1,000 in a week. It wasn?t supposed to be an album. I just put it out for the people asking me to put something out. It was just for those cats. The acronym stands for ?For Everybody To UnderStand?. So, if you ain?t feeling it, it ain?t for you. Basically, I?m saying that it is only getting bigger. All of this is preparing everybody for ?L.I.F.E.?. I would like believe that some time down the road, someone would want to get the whole collection. That?s the kind of hip-hop I grew up with.?
  
  T.JONES: ?What is this mix-tape you are coming out with?
  ONE.BE.LO: ?I have a mix-tape coming out called ?S.T.I.L.L.B.O.R.N.?. That sh*t is crazy.?
  
  T.JONES: ?What CDs or LPs have you been listening to recently??
  ONE.BE.LO: ?I?m on tour right now. The only thing that I would play in its entirety is something like Ice Cube?s ?Amerikkka?s Most Wanted?. Ice Cube?s ?Death Certificate?. Tribe Called Quest?s ?Midnight Marauders?. Wu-Tang Clan?s ?36 Chambers?. ?Mecca And The Soul Brother? by Pete Rock & CL Smooth. There are also some things that I consider classics that some may not. Organized Konfusion?s ?Stress? is like my favorite album of all time. Common?s ?Resurrection?. I like the kind of sh*t that provokes me to be creative and do something different. Those cats make me come up with new concepts. Those cats would make me think. Nowadays, everything is on the table. What you hear is what you get. I?m trying to make a record that after 75 listens, you still get something new.?
  
  T.JONES: ?How did you hook up with Fat Beats??
  ONE.BE.LO: ?If I wasn?t a Muslim, I would say it was all luck. For years, they were talking about doing a 12-inch with me. When ?S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.? was being made, I got a call from them about them wanting to put out a 12-inch. I sent them another package. Instead of just a 12-inch, I sent them the whole album, which I just mixed. They called me back and told me that they wanted to do the whole album. The president of the company and whole staff was excited about it. It wasn?t my intention. We started building and here we are.?
  
  T.JONES: ?You did a couple of years in prison. What was that all about? What were you charged with??
  ONE.BE.LO: ?That?s my personal life, man. I can?t get into that. The only reason that I would share it would be to kick it with someone who has to excel after prison. I have to let cats know that I got in trouble and used that time to better myself. I got into things that I should not have gotten into. I became a Muslin. I learned a lot about myself and the people around me. I came home focused. Ever since then, I have been elevating.?
  
  T.JONES: ?What was the transition like from being in prison to finally being free??
  ONE.BE.LO: ?I spent my whole time looking at dates on a calendar. I was reading, planning, and plotting. It is scary because I was approaching this date, which was the moment of truth. It was the date I was waiting for. By then, there is this mindframe where it is easy to sit behind bars and make excuses. Now, it is time to put plans into action. I put a lot of pressure on myself. It was all me. The one thing that helped me out was becoming a Muslim and believing in God. If I have God on my side and supporting me, that?s all I need. I didn?t come home with the mentality that I needed a record label and I needed a manager. I had to do this because I have a talent that God gave me and I don?t want to miss out. Nobody can stop me. If God can?t stop me, nobody can.?
  
  T.JONES: ?Has being a Muslim changed your approach to music??
  ONE.BE.LO: ?Definitely, man. I went through different stages. I recently took a trip to Mecca. It was 5 weeks. I used to just be a creative, lyrical emcee. I just wanted to say the illest thing I could think of. I was all about metaphors and punch lines. Now, I love the Binary Star album. Even though there was some substance, people focused on the punch lines. To me, ?S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.? has dope punch lines but there are intense themes and true soulfulness to it. There is more substance to it. I?m trying to inspire people. Hip-hop was the big brother I never had or the father that didn?t teach me. I learned about Malcolm X through being positive in hip-hop. I learned about being an entrepreneur and being independent through hip-hop. I didn?t take classes.?
  
  T.JONES: ?What producers would you like to work with in the future??
  ONE.BE.LO: ?The only people I could think of are Pete Rock and DJ Premier. Large Professor here and Diamond D there. I would go crazy if I could do tracks with Ali Shaheed Mohammed of Tribe Called Quest.?
  
  T.JONES: ?Which is the better album by A Tribe Called Quest? ?The Low End Theory? or ?Midnight Marauders???
  ONE.BE.LO: ?That?s hard, man. I have to say ?The Low End Theory?. On every song, Q-Tip had a different rhyme style. As much of a classic that ?Low End Theory? was, we didn?t think that they could do better and they achieved that with ?Midnight Marauders?. That?s why ?Midnight Marauders? is a classic too. They did what the average group could not do. They made another classic album after they made a classic album.?
  
  T.JONES: ?What artists would you like to work with in the future??
  ONE.BE.LO: ?I would love to do something with Krs-One. I don?t really want to work with anybody. If I work with someone, I want to work with the best. I would like to do work with Nas. I would like to do a joint with Pharoahe Monch or CL Smooth.?
  
  T.JONES: ?What do you think of Nas?s new album ?Street Disciple???
  ONE.BE.LO: ?I think it?s alright. I?m an emcee. I appreciate those lyrics over wack ass beats. I?m not saying his beats are wack. I?m just more into lyrics than into production. That?s why I can?t f*ck with somebody like Group Home. They have classic production by Premier but the lyrics aren?t there. Personally, I had issues with Nas, as a fan with ?Nastradamus? but I like the direction he?s going in now. I still like what?s good. Michael Jordan is still Michael Jordan. He?s not slamming anymore but he?s still one of the greatest basketball players that ever lived. That?s how I look at Cube, Q-Tip, Nas, and others.?
  
  T.JONES: ?What was the last incident of racism you experienced??
  ONE.BE.LO: ?I was in a restaurant. I was talking on my cell phone and they ignored me the whole time. Their excuse was that I was on the phone but they didn?t bring me water or even a napkin. When I approached them, they said I was being rude because I was on my cell phone. There is another time too. I was on a road trip this one time and we stopped at a gas station. When I was standing in line to pay for the gas, I see somebody getting out of their car, get inside our car, and start driving our car and pulling it out. I go outside and there was this old white dude in our car. He couldn?t wait so he got in our car and pulled it off to the side. This was flat out reverse racism. If I opened up somebody?s car door and got inside, they would call the police and the police would either arrest us or beat us. The only thing saving this dude was that he was like 70 years old. To me, it was more of an incident of indirect racism. I was so pissed off that I told my friend to handle it because I knew that I would say the wrong thing. If I did that sh*t, nobody would have laughed.?
  
  T.JONES: ?Word association time. I?m going to say a name of a group/emcee and you say the first word that pops in your head. So, if I say ?Chuck D?, you may say ?Revolution?. Okay??
  ONE.BE.LO: ?Okay.?
  
  T.JONES: ?Nas.?
  ONE.BE.LO: ?Chipped tooth.?
  
  T.JONES: ?Xzibit.?
  ONE.BE.LO: ?Corn rows.?
  
  T.JONES: ?The Roots.?
  ONE.BE.LO: ?Malik B.?
  
  T.JONES: ?Pete Rock.?
  ONE.BE.LO: ?Top spot.?
  
  T.JONES: ?Slum Village.?
  ONE.BE.LO: ?Jay Dee.?
  
  T.JONES: ?George Bush.?
  ONE.BE.LO: ?The devil?s advocate.?
  
  T.JONES: ?Why did you choose the producers you used on ?S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.???
  ONE.BE.LO: ?It?s just me and my crew. They are just the cats that I used with all of my sh*t. I worked with Decompoze because we have a history and chemistry together. We?re not the best producers in the world or the best emcees in the world, but when that sh*t comes together, it comes together the way I like it. I want people to know that Trackazoid have beats. I was feeling the beats. Some people don?t know this but some of the beats on the album are older than the beats on the Binary Star album. I?m putting out 1999 sh*t that is being put out with 2005 sh*t.?
  
  T.JONES: ?Do you go into the studio with pre-written lyrics and themes, or do you hear the beat first and write the lyrics, then and there??
  ONE.BE.LO: ?There ain?t no one way to do it. Sometimes, I write a rhyme to the beat and sometimes, I write the rhyme first. I prefer to write the rhyme to the beat and match it to the beat. Most importantly, I have to ride the beat like ain?t nobody else riding the beat. You can change the fluctuation of pre-written lyrics, but I have to do it when the inspiration comes. I may listen to the radio and write to a Lil Jon track because that is what I?m feeling at the moment. I know that I won?t rhyme to that beat though.?
  
  T.JONES: ?What is in the future for One.Be.Lo??
  ONE.BE.LO: ?Good music. I may be solo or with a crew. I?m just trying to make good music and get my spot in this world called hip-hop. I?m trying to make an impact. However big or small, I?ll make an impact.?
  
  T.JONES: ?Any final words for the people who are reading this??
  ONE.BE.LO: ?Check out subterraneousrecords.com and get with the movement! I?m trying to do something that is bigger than me. I could be king but I want to bring a dynasty to the table. If you have a chance to see us live, that?s a whole other story. Try to see us live and you can find out what we rock about. Peace.?
  
  THANK YOU ONE.BE.LO !!!
  

• Binary Star :: Masters of the Universe :: Subterraneous Records [+ Show ]
  

  Binary Star :: Masters of the Universe :: Subterraneous Records as reviewed by Steve 'Flash' Juon ...Binary Star :: Masters of the Universe :: Subterraneous Records
  as reviewed by Steve 'Flash' Juon
  Are Binary Star on some next shit? Even the bio on their label's website warns you that "to fully appreciate Binary you can't just listen, you have to study." Damn. Is this album going to blow up if people have to approach it like taking a chemistry exam?
  
  It would be unfortunate if it doesn't - this album represents everything that's right about underground hip-hop. Binary Star is comprised mainly of two MC's - Senim Silla and the constantly morphing madman loosely known as "The Anonymous" who goes by various names such as Mr. Hide, OneBeLo, and more. Like their dope tracks, the next move is completely unpredictable but almost inevitably dope.
  
  For those people who heard Binary Star's last underground album "Waterworld" most of these tracks will already be familiar. The "Binary Shuffle" is amusing both in it's introduction, it's chorus ("Do we talk about the money we got? OHH NO! Talk about the people we shot? OHH NO!") and Silla's playfully braggadocious raps.
  
  "Silla is a dog at this - the rap Cujo
  Half of the star-spanglin dynamic duo
  You may not know me now but, you will later
  My crew bout to blow up - like inflators [..]
  Gettin in the mix, don't even know the recipe
  You know my aptitude - ain't no need for testin me"
  
  There's lots of good material to salivate over here. The all-star "Fellowship" with D-Compoze and underground Michigan rap crew Athletic Mic League is definitely alladat, as are the also previous released but welcome reinclusions of "New Hip Hop" and the hip-hop stalking anthem "Glen Close." Yup - it's about a gwal who just can't leave Binary Star alone, but you won't be able to leave this track's dope piano loop and slamming beat out of your disc changer either. The title track "Masters of the Universe" though is one of those songs you might have to 'study' - it's dope but moves at such a quick tempo you'll probably have to check it three or four times to get all the rhymes.
  
  My personal favorite track is another re-inclusion from their original "Waterworld" release - the dope duet with D-Compoze called "Indy 500." A scratchy, popping record break recurs throughout with a superb piano loop that makes this track one of the most simultaneously dirty and clean songs since Wu-Tang Clan introduced us to 36 Chambers almost a decade ago.
  
  "All we need is beats and rhymes to go and spark it
  As long as we got the underground yo, we got a market
  I don't need a major to tell me how to run it
  cause my goal's to win the Indy 500"
  
  Superb. When listening to this album, don't forget to check for the linguistic styles of "Slang Blade", the thunderous boom bap of the opening track "Reality Check" and the spooky Halloween-esque themes of "Wolfman Jack." Actually there's not much to NOT check for here, both old and new. The changing beats of the melodic "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings" perfectly suits the different verses about the ills of the prison system, the stark and stripped down sound of "Honest Expression" equally appropriate to it's title. Very few albums that come out are as well conceived or prepared as "Masters of the Universe" - which proves exactly why the title of Binary Star's national debut is truly apt.
  
  

Setlist

Varies on show length and time permitted.



Axis S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.
Born & Raised The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.

Deceptacons S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.
Don't Sleep The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.

E.T. S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.
enecS eht no kcaB S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.

Gray The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.
Headlines The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.

Hip Hop Heaven The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.
House Rules The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.

Propaganda S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.

Rebirth The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.
Rocketship S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.
Sleepwalking S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.
Smash The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.

The G Gap The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.
The Ghetto S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.

True Love S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.
Unparalleled S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.
Used 2 Be Fly S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.


Reality Check MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE
KGB MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE
Honest Expression MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE
Glen Close MASTERS OF THE UNIVERSE


Born Ready UNRELEASED
HisStory UNRELEASED
Slingshot UNRELEASED

Basic Requirements

Calendar