I.O.U.

I.O.U is a music group comprised of two artists, Isaiah “Izee” Mcneill and Andrew “buck” buckners. These musical artists hail from New Jersey and are very well known at Rutger’s University. They’ve made a couple songs that have now become Rutgber’s anthem’s but they have come a very long way from Rutger’s. They recently opened up for Far East Movement and released two mixtapes, “Breaking Our Mind Barriers” aka B.O.M.B.S. and “Love. Great. Humans.” They are currently busy on tour but TRUE Mag was able to chat with them about their movement.

How did you meet and become a group?

We all met at a young age through other friends and doing sports. We didn’t actually start doing music until senior year of high school and really started taking music seriously freshman year of college in 2009-2010

What do you prefer more, performing or being in the studio?

Thats an excellent question, the studio is where we pour our hearts out and put in the most work, but performing is a result of that work. So really its a combination of love from both.

Why did you change your name from Deuce 1's to I.O.U.?

We changed our name from Deuce 1's to I.O.U. based on style. We felt Deuce 1's didn’t represent us growing as artists anymore it gave off a harder more rugged feel when our music is not like that. People also messed it up way too much and we felt that I.O.U. left a better impression, it was more of a universal name.

Who does your beats?

Izee makes the beats but sometimes Buck will add his style and have Izee find a unique way to incorporate it with Izee has already created. We are in the process of collaborating with some big producers (find out who on our up and coming fralbum Patience coming first week of may)

How do you come to an agreement on a beat and does your preferences differ in your choices?

Izee usually makes the beats from there he sends them over and we listen and Buck usually makes his corrections or additions then Chuck sometimes will recommend some stuff. Or sometimes Buck or V will recommend samples that would work with our style and from there Izee usually just locks in and makes these magical creations. Then we start the writing process. Its amazing how well we work together everyone’s opinion counts and we are all on the same page 97% of the time. If not we just talk and listen and figure it out until it sounds the best that it can.



Where do you come up with the concepts for your songs?

The concepts of our songs come from our every day life experiences. The struggles of being a student / musician, The passion we have for music, How bad we want to be successful in the music business, what we do on an daily basis, being positive, what we want to live for, or just conversations that we have together that get expressed through our music.

When did you know that you wanted to rap?

We knew music was becoming more than just a hobby while we were recording our very first mixtape The Beginning of Everything right before Buck went off to West Virginia University. During all of his breaks thats all we did was record and push and even when he was in school thats when Rutgers State of Mind was released and created that first buzz. We just kept moving forward from there.

What were you going to college for? Did you graduate?

Izee is in college for Communications with hopes to graduate in 2014. Buck was a history major but decided to dedicate all of his time to music in mid 2011.

How do you think you became so big on Rutgers Campus? Do you still have a relationship with them musically?

Rutgers started to embrace us musically when we made the song Rutgers State of Mind a cover to Empire State of Mind by Jay-Z & Alicia Keys. Then when we did a cover to Wiz Khalifa’s Black & Yellow called Black & Scarlet that really put us on the map more as hip hop artists. We have a great relationship with the Rutgers community. We perform all over campus and have some big shows planned for the future - Rebecca Cruz

When I first got the email, I couldn’t quite figure out why this New Jersey hip-hop duo was emailing me. They said they met me and I got confused. Then, Anil told me that they met up with him and Greg. I decided to give it a listen and it reminded me why I listen to hip-hop. I.O.U. has found the essence of hip-hop and turned it into the perfect beats and amazing lyrics. I’d compare the style to a less cocky version of Chiddy Bang but that is not an equal comparison for I.O.U. I’d say that they are like Mac Miller, but that doesn’t fit either. So, in the end, they kick it so well and with production from Bad Boy producer Harry Fraud, it won’t be long before they find fame. For a surprise in my inbox, this could not have been a better surprise. Thanks to I.O.U. for rolling with us, and thanks for a mixtape that’s perfect for my summer playlist. Download it here and watch the video for “Free Falling” here as a preview to the bliss. - Ian Soco Vibe

I.O.U. asked for your patience, and you no longer have to wait! The dynamic duo alas releases their best work yet, “Patience,” done completely at Rutgers University. Not to mention, this is just the beginning of what this duo has in store. Make sure to check out the rest of their greatness over at www.InsideOurUniverse.com. Enjoy and remember, you caught it here first! - Kymmi Cee Live

Here we have a brand new talent to the scene and a first-timer on GMAD. Inside Our Universe or I.O.U. is comprised of two 19 year old MC’s from Rutger’s University in New Jersey. After listening to their new project Patience (which is definitely worth the download) “Free Falling” was the track that stuck with me the longest and had me replaying over and over. Right from the beginning with sampling from Sufjan Steven’s amazing “The Man Of Metropolis Steals Our Hearts” to the sampling of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’” I knew these two had amazing musical taste and I was open to hear whatever they brought to the table. Honestly, this track is just a feel good track that’ll have you groovin’ from the first second. Turn it up, realize that it’s summer time, and enjoy… - John Schramm

I.O.U. is an up and coming duo from New Jersey who is currently working with Bad Boy producer Harry Fraud on an EP, and being mentored by Sugar Ray’s Manager, Chip Quigley. The boys have a sound of their own, providing refreshing music, and something different for all to enjoy. Hailing all the way from Rutgers University this new project entitled, Patience, truly is their next step to their guaranteed success.



- Eric Kidd