It’s a headliner’s worst nightmare: being upstaged by the opening act. But this is often the case for bands that follow hip-hop artist OneBeLo, as he is notorious for stealing shows, acquiring truckloads of new fans, and making life miserable for acts that attempt to top him. Whether he’s touring big cities with favorites such as Jurassic 5 or performing shows in rural Michigan, OneBeLo gives the audience his all. And for the delight of Eugeneans, OneBeLo will be showcasing his extraordinary craft at WOW Hall on Friday night.
Many knew him as OneManArmy when he was half of Michigan-based duo Binary Star. In the late ’90s, Binary Star took the underground hip-hop scene by storm with its release
“WaterWorld,” later to be re-arranged and re-released under the title
“Masters of the Universe.” Binary Star set the precedent for excellence with its grade-A lyrics that left listeners mesmerized after each verse.
Lyrics such as “a whack emcee/that’s something I could never be/that’s like growing dreadlocks while you takin’ chemotherapy” and “we revolutionize like revolts from red coats/Binary Star got it locked like dead bolts” earned
Binary Star instant fans. The 24-track album was just the beginning for what could have been a complete takeover of the underground. Unfortunately, it was not to be and Binary Star split, leaving OneManArmy, now known as OneBeLo, to pursue a solo career in Michigan while fellow member Senim Silla headed west to do the same.
In January 2000 OneBeLo was able to acquire a handful of Michigan-based producers and emcees and Subterraneous Records was born. When asked how Subterraneous Records was different from other labels, OneBeLo said Subterraneous is a contribution to society and a movement, not just a label.
“We use hip-hop because of its powerful nature to seep beneath the corporate cracks and reach people with the truth in a language that the people can understand,” he said.
After establishing the new label it was time for OneBeLo to bless his listeners with solo material that represented his growth during post-Binary Star days. OneBeLo’s first album project, “F.E.T.U.S” (For Everyone That UnderStands), was never intended for public release. However, it has since proved to be a successful introduction to the solo career of OneBeLo. The album is a collection of songs, one of which is titled “Double Essay/S.S.A.” where every word follows the S.S.A pattern: For example, OneBeLo starts the track by boasting “secret service agent/surely slowly agin’/shooting suckas, amazing super-soaker aimin.’” This song exemplifies OneBeLo’s dominance of word play and his creativity.
In February 2005 OneBeLo’s debut album “s.o.n.o.g.r.a.m.” (Sounds of Nashid Originate Good Rhymes and Music) was released on Fat Beats Records, making him the first-ever artist signed to the juggernaut distribution company out of New York City. OneBeLo was also fortunate enough to have the legendary Pete Rock supply him with a remix to the second single off the album, “Decepticons”. This album not only supplied fans with a true debut, but also represented an evolutionary step in the career of OneBeLo. Staying true to his themed sequence of album titles, “s.o.n.o.g.r.a.m.” leads listeners to a part of OneBeLo many never knew existed, which prepares them for his next release, “L.I.F.E.”
“OneBeLo layers the politically active lyricism of Mos Def and the Last Poets over soulful ’70s beats,” according to a March 2005 Spin magazine review of “s.o.n.o.g.r.a.m.”
OneBeLo said “s.o.n.o.g.r.a.m.” contains more self-reflection than previous albums.
“‘S.o.n.o.g.r.a.m.’ for me is more personal. I spent a few tracks on the album talking about my own experiences and views about certain things because I wanted to make sure that on this project the listeners got a good idea of where I was coming from. In the past I felt like I spent more time just being creative, which is not a bad thing, but after all the creativity, you are left to wonder, ‘What is this guy really about?’”
But fans found out what OneBeLo was about on “s.o.n.o.g.r.a.m.”
OneBeLo’s top-notch lyrics mixed withhis social awareness and crystal cleardelivery are elements few hip-hop artists can compete with.OneBeLo said he prides himself on being true to himself as a person and an artist.
“Sincerity, no matter what style, or how you do it, just be sincere, and be real to yourself.”
Catch OneBeLo performing live at the WOW Hall with Soul Position and Animal Farm Friday at 9 p.m. Tickets are $13 in advance and $15 at the door.