Oh No debuted as a producer and MC in his own right with The Disrupt, his 2004 full-length on Stones Throw Records. With recent beat production on the albums of fellow Oxnard, CA-based MC's Wildchild, MED, Roc C, and on Guilty Simpson's upcoming 2007 album Ode to the Ghetto, Oh No has probably logged more beats on Stones Throw releases than anyone else besides Madlib. In recent years, Oh No has carved out a funky style related, but distinct, to that of his famed sibling, as magazines like XXL, The Source and URB have all attested. A landmark collaboration with jazz/funk legend David Matthews (arranger behind many of James Brown’s finest albums) at last year’s Red Bull Music Academy – where Mr. Matthews composed an orchestral piece based on a single Oh No beat – hinted at the scope of things to come from the young underground impresario.
The hip-hop world can now witness Oh No’s musical vision with Exodus Into Unheard Rhythms, a unique concept album made of beats derived solely from Galt MacDermot samples. Known primarily as the composer of the late-’60s smash musical HAIR, Galt MacDermot distilled the essence of R&B rhythms and Broadway melodies into a unique and potent groove for the Age of Aquarius. After his breakthrough hits from HAIR, MacDermot perfected his sound throughout the following decades on his own imprint, Kilmarnock Records, backed by longtime collaborators, jazz/funk drumming legends Bernard Purdie and Idris Muhammad. MacDermot offered Oh No access to his huge (and still growing) catalog of music for his work on Exodus.
Once he put his own sonic stamp on the composer’s inimitable material, Oh No pitched the 70-plus beats he made to the MC's in his network. A formidable cast heeded his call to lyrically bless – from veterans like De La Soul’s Posdnuos and DITC legend A.G. to current indie powerhouses like Murs and Vast Aire. Longtime Oh No comrades like LMNO, M.E.D., Aloe Blacc, Wildchild and Dudley Perkins do their parts, while appearances from Buckshot of Black Moon and Wise Intelligent of Poor Righteous Teachers lend additional weight to the all-star cast. While he only touches the mic on three tracks here, Oh No’s production efforts alone prove that he is one of those musical mavericks who – like Galt – hear the unheard rhythms first, and lead the way for the rest.
In 2007, Oh No followed up his Exodus Into Unheard Rhythms with Dr. No's Oxperiment, followed by 2009's Dr. No's Ethiopium, and most recently, 2012's OhNoMite, which is scheduled to be released June 5, 2012.
Oh Zone
Oh No Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
See, way back in the days befo' I was 21
You would find me at Potomac, tryin to get the funds
See the days have not changed, I have not won the lottery
And still make beats, with quality and quantity
Pops did the singin, mom did the writin
Mad does production, Stace did the fightin
I was watchin everybody tryin to get enlightenment
Uncle John, Aunt Dizzy, chillin on the couch
'Bout to head out to 'Frisco, in the Jazz Lounge
I would see older cats, smokin and laughin
Groovin to the music and the ladies out dancin
Gettin in late, I never was punctual
I'm still on my way, I'm just tryin to get comfortable
Tribe for the vibes, GangStarr for the raw
And Pete for the horns, I'd like to thank y'all
I'm so Zone man, I'm so Zone
I'm so Zone man, I'm so.. y'all
I'm so... I'm so Zone Y'all
I'm so Zone man, I'm so Zone y'all
I'm so... I'm so... y'all
I'm so Zone man, I'm so Zone y'all
I'm so... I'm so...
I'm so...
Now here we go again, back for another one
The kid never stops, should walk but really runs
And chasin the future, chasin the dream
Bring the past with the new stuff, y'all know what I mean
See this jazz and this hip-hop, mix that together
Original, creative and clever
See what we do now, is just in our cycle
They just tweak it around and claim the shit's pyro
Word to wise we in line though, grindin like Perce
Cause I feel it's my time though, I deal with the worst
And receive blessings after, my man KRS
Said who's next for the chapters
It must have been missin the form of disruption
Fall back into late 70's... somethin
Right from the gate, peace to D.I.T.C., and the whole Hiero
And I'd like to take this time to give shouts to my bro
Madlib... so Zone man
So Zone dog, so Zonin man
I'm so... I'm so Zonin man
I'm so Zone y'all, so Zone man
I'm so... I'm so Zone HEH~!
I'm so... I'm so Zone y'all
I'm so... yeah yeah...
NIGGA!
[scratches:]
"Put your ear to the floor, you can hear that's fresh"
"It goes a little somethin like this" "Yeah, without a doubt"
"To let us into your skin" ... "Hey y'all reminisce, yeah I hips to the hop"
"That's fresh"
The song "Oh Zone" by Oh No is a track filled with reflections of the artist's past and his journey as a musician. Oh No reminisces about his early days trying to make money at Potomac and his constant pursuit for quality and quantity in his music production. He acknowledges the influence of his parents and uncle John and aunt Dizzy who he used to visit in Oakland and who played a significant role in his life. Oh No also shows respect for other music legends who inspired him, such as Tribe, Gang Starr, and Pete Rock.
As the song progresses, Oh No shifts his focus to his present and his never-ceasing chase for his dreams, as he faces numerous challenges along the way. He expresses his creativity and originality in his style by mixing jazz with hip-hop, and he views his music as a way of life. Oh No also pays homage to other legendary groups such as D.I.T.C. and Hiero, who he considers his inspiration and motivation.
Overall, "Oh Zone" is a song that reflects on the uncertainties and challenges of an artist's journey, while also acknowledging the influences that have helped shape his life and craft.
Line by Line Meaning
See, way back in the days befo' I was 21
In my early days before turning 21, I used to spend time in Potomac trying to make some money
You would find me at Potomac, tryin to get the funds
In Potomac, I would try to acquire some funds for myself
See the days have not changed, I have not won the lottery
Despite the passage of time, I still haven't won the lottery to change my fortunes
And still make beats, with quality and quantity
I continue to produce plentiful and quality beats despite my circumstances
Pops did the singin, mom did the writin
My father sang, while my mother wrote
Mad does production, Stace did the fightin
Mad was responsible for production, while Stace was someone who engaged in violent altercations
I was watchin everybody tryin to get enlightenment
I observed everyone seeking spiritual or intellectual growth
Up to Oakland see my grandparents excited
I visited my grandparents in Oakland and they were happy to see me
Uncle John, Aunt Dizzy, chillin on the couch
My uncle John and Aunt Dizzy relaxed on the sofa
'Bout to head out to 'Frisco, in the Jazz Lounge
They were about to go to Frisco to enjoy jazz music
I would see older cats, smokin and laughin
I saw older people smoking and enjoying themselves
Groovin to the music and the ladies out dancin
They were enjoying the music and watching ladies dance
Gettin in late, I never was punctual
I usually arrived late and wasn't known for being punctual
Tribe for the vibes, GangStarr for the raw
I listen to Tribe for the positive vibes and GangStarr for the raw sound
And Pete for the horns, I'd like to thank y'all
I appreciate Pete for his use of horns in his music
I'm so Zone man, I'm so Zone
I am completely in a state of mind to create and make music
Now here we go again, back for another one
Here we are starting again, ready to create another track
The kid never stops, should walk but really runs
I never stop creating and pushing forward
And chasin the future, chasin the dream
I am pursuing my dreams and reaching for the future
Bring the past with the new stuff, y'all know what I mean
Combining the past with new ideas, my listeners can relate and experience my growth
See this jazz and this hip-hop, mix that together
I fuse jazz with hip-hop to create something cohesive and original
Original, creative and clever
My music is innovative, imaginative, and intelligent
See what we do now, is just in our cycle
We create music that is consistent with our style and sound
They just tweak it around and claim the shit's pyro
Others may use our style and claim that it's new and revolutionary
Word to wise we in line though, grindin like Perce
We know what we're doing and are consistently working hard, just like Perce
Cause I feel it's my time though, I deal with the worst
I believe it's my moment to shine and I am not afraid of any challenges that come my way
And receive blessings after, my man KRS
After all the hardship, I will be rewarded with blessings like KRS-One has in his life
Said who's next for the chapters
KRS-One wondered who would be next to achieve success and represent the genre
It must have been missin the form of disruption
There must not have been a catalyst for change or innovation
Fall back into late 70's... somethin
Looking back to the late 70s, music was changing and evolving
Right from the gate, peace to D.I.T.C., and the whole Hiero
I want to give a shout out to the D.I.T.C. and Hieroglyphics crews from the beginning
And I'd like to take this time to give shouts to my bro
I want to show my appreciation to my friend and collaborator
Madlib... so Zone man
I'm so in the zone, just like Madlib
So Zone dog, so Zonin man
I am completely in the zone
NIGGA!
Expression of excitement or affirmation
Scratches: 'Put your ear to the floor, you can hear that's fresh'
The scratches on this line can be considered fresh music
'It goes a little somethin like this' 'Yeah, without a doubt'
The music goes something like this and it's certainly good
'To let us into your skin' ... 'Hey y'all reminisce, yeah I hips to the hop'
The music is meant to seep into your soul and make you reminisce, with nods to hip hop culture
'That's fresh'
The music is positively fresh
Contributed by Sophia C. Suggest a correction in the comments below.