“When I talk about religion, sports, winning, losing, struggle, pain, prison, poverty, crime, women—these are the ingredients of OneBeLo, because those are my personalexperiences,” he explains. “I've been a straight-A student, I've been a knucklehead, I've been a heathen, I've been a Christian, I've been a Muslim, I've been a criminal, I've been in the belly of the beast, I've been to the Mecca, I've been to Europe. I've been to the top, I've been to the bottom. I'm talking about everything.”
Lo was adopted in Pontiac, Michigan, where his mother worked as a beautician and his stepfather worked at a plant. As a result, he developed appreciation for women, fashion, working with a variety of different people, discipline, and forgiveness. He busied himself with over a dozen different activities and attended church several times a week with his family. Life changed once his parents divorced when he was 14 years old. With lower supervision and more exposure to new things, he ran the streets with older kids until he went to prison days after his 18th birthday.
While in prison, OneBeLo read extensively and converted to Islam, after seeing it wasn't what he was told it was as a Christian child. He also formed the rap group Binary Star with his partner-in-crime Senim Silla. Despite domestic violence, murder and other drama out of his control happening back home, Lo handled his sentence without losing himself.
“When I went to prison, Allah gave me two and half years to get away from all that weed, all that pussy, and all those distractions,” Lo remembers. “I wasn't going to be like the cats in prison that come back when they're 35 years old. … I was behind bars, but I realized that the people in the streets were the ones locked up. My mind was free.”
Upon Lo’s release, Binary Star hit the ground running. On their self-released debut Waterworld, they teamed up with future staples like Elzhi, J.U.I.C.E., and Athletic Mic League to exercise creative concepts and deliver substantial messages. Lo formed a production team with Decompoze, who he had recorded with in high school. Binary Star quickly sold out of their initial 1,000 copies as the album was praised as an “instant classic.” Though Lo had intended to rhyme anonymously as a solo act to revert attention to the music, he was often addressed as OneManArmy because of a line he used in a song. He and Senim Silla would later go their separate ways, and Lo compiled his Subterraneous Records crew—which consisted of Malaki The Most High, Decompoze, Kodac, Magestik Legend, DJ Phrikshun and iLLite—in January 2000.
Lo added extra Senim Silla verses and new songs to a Waterworld re-release entitled Masters of the Universe, and continued to focus on touring with Subterraneous and recording several albums’ worth of new music. After showcasing his crew with Waterworld Too, he released Project F.E.T.U.S. as a planned prequel to his debut. The disc sold thousands of copies, and he would later complete his next project, S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.. He approached Fat Beats Records to press a single to help promote the album, and they gave him a different offer.
“They asked me to send them the song I was thinking about using for the single, and I was like, 'If they're doing the 12-inch, I'll let them pick the song.' So I just sent them the whole album,” Lo remembers. “They hit me back like, 'We don't want to do a 12-inch. We want to do the whole album.”
Lo signed with Fat Beats for distribution in 2003, and the label asked him to change his name from OneManArmy to avoid legal troubles with a similarly-named punk band. He changed his name to OneBeLo, since he had used that with F.E.T.U.S. He would later go to Saudi Arabia on Mecca, an Islamic tradition to find one's self. Meanwhile, Fat Beats pushed back S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M. until 2005. The album was critically-acclaimed and sold about 12,000 copies within Lo's first few weeks on tour. Shortly afterward he would prepare S.T.I.L.L.B.O.R.N., a 27-track compilation of Lo's released and unreleased guest appearances over original new beats. With two projects in tow, Lo landed tours and major festivals, rocking 160 shows per year between 2005 and 2007.
Continuing his journey to chase the greater good, Lo moved his family to Egypt to expose them to a non-American perspective. Once he saw personnel changes at Fat Beats when he arrived back years later, he worked his way out of his deal and self-released The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.. Eager to collaborate with producers and use a different sound, Lo collaborated with beatmakers like Lab Techs, Jake One, Memo of the Molemen, and others. The album performed well, but Lo again wanted to change his approach. Rather than use his previous method of recording as many songs as possible and compiling what he thought were the best songs, he decided to sit down and focus on one piece of work.
That piece was entitled B.A.B.Y. (Being A Black Youth). Much of the album, which features the likes of Freeway, Phonte Coleman, Devin the Dude and others, was lost when thieves broke in and stole studio equipment. Additionally, the label he had signed with, MYX Music Label, dissolved before the record could drop. Lo stashed his latest sessions and began to work on his upcoming album, L.A.B.O.R. from scratch. The new project takes metaphorical inspiration from animals and occupations, jumpstarts a new Waterworld movement with the LABORhood, and lays the foundation to a crop of other conceptual records.
“With this project, I’m staying busy and developing my ideas. I’m going through the pains of L.A.B.O.R. before delivering this B.A.B.Y.,” Lo says. “Don’t let anyone stop you from creating your art.”
Despite L.A.B.O.R. being his fifth solo release, Lo is just getting started. With a continuous repertoire of new travels, new experiences and world events, OneBeLo will always have the music to reflect it.
Axis
One Be Lo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
{*"Man it's a trip"*} (turn)
{*"Man it's a trip, trip, trip"*} (turn)
[One.Be.Lo]
Now as the world turns, when will us black people learn? (damn)
Before we had a perm, we came from Adam's sperm
You see with plain vision, we live in the same system
Where's 'the village' when you need it?
A question for the person in the looking glass
Our community's lookin bad like a bucket full of crabs
That's the crooked path
If we don't straighten this out, how long would it last?
Every night you hear the bullets blast
Even if you in the suburbs every night, you see the footage flash
across your screen, I'll tell you my biggest pet peeve
You lookin at it thinkin like, "It don't affect me"
You livin large I'm thinkin like, "It don't impress me"
Rockin them chains, Sojourner Truth is tryin to set free
It don't take a pro-fessor
to see the o-pressor got the whole treasure
Now how many Africans slain for one platinum chain on yo' dresser?
I'm no better just because I think I know better
Tell me who you trust when you're in your new trucks
Some of us dyin over a few bucks, killers old enough to ride a school bus
With brothers like these tell me, who needs the Ku Klux?
Women walkin with titties out cause the truth sucks
It's time to breastfeed, knowledge is the best key
We got us pourin liquor out for all the dead G's
Rest? Please, in the grave you gettin less peace
{*"Man it's a trip"*} {*"Turnin, turnin"*}
{*"The world keeps turnin.."*}
{*"On its axis.."*}
[One.Be.Lo]
See in America they flamed bottle rockets when slaves was not abolished (true)
Slayed a lot of fathers and raped a lot of mommas
Them days cotton products, we blame our modern problems
New ways they got us bondaged, the chains is psychologic
The media be feedin us napalm atomics
While the schools brainwash us, the crayons is toxic (blah!)
Don't believe the hype, they can save all the drama
Cause them apes not evolving, I can't swallow ya vomit
My rights as a human they change laws in congress
Now Shaytan [Satan] in office, we can't call him honest
What part of the game do they play, cops or robbers?
In this land of Pocahontas, natives lost to conquest
Your false gods get framed, buffed and polished
If you ask who the prophet, they say Nostradamas (who?)
No ways of Muhammad, no pray five at Kabbah
Definition of a terrorist, they call Islamic
So many brothers puzzled and can't solve they problems
Smuggle crack, juggle rap, or play ball in college
But Uncle Sam, hustle man, take all your dollars
Break y'all, sink them 8-balls in your pocket
I'm chosen like Moses, here to take y'all to promise
My +Quest+ started when Tip say "Lost my wallet"
We all gotta get it, the mules, acres was promised
But the skeletons came out the closet
Now some of y'all black folks is still patriotic
Dyin in wars, so who you think make the profit?
{*"One day old fool, you gonna get this country
in a war that they not gonna fight for ya,
which means you gon' have to fight it yourself!"*}
{*"What makes you think you can be a black hero?"*}
{*"I'm here, because I can't stand what's happening
and somebody has to make a difference
Now brotha will you help me?"*}
The song "Axis" by One Be Lo talks about the struggles of the black community in America and the issues that they face. The song starts with a rhetorical question about when the black community will learn despite the progress they've made so far. One Be Lo then talks about the history of black people, how they came from Adam's sperm and how they have become victims of the system. He questions the lack of support from "the village" when it's most needed and how the community is like a bucket full of crabs, pulling each other down instead of pushing them up. One Be Lo then highlights the issue of gun violence in American society and how it affects everyone, regardless of where they live.
One Be Lo then talks about the historical oppression of black people, slavery, and how it still affects the community in modern times. He mentions how the media feeds negative images to the masses, and the education system has become a tool for brainwashing. He also raises questions about the government, their policies, and their honesty. One Be Lo finally talks about the struggles that black people go through in trying to make a living in America, the drugs, and the inequality they face. In the end, he calls for more knowledge and unity to bring about change in society.
Line by Line Meaning
Man it's a trip
It's surreal and unbelievable
Man it's a trip, trip, trip
It's even more surreal and unbelievable
Now as the world turns, when will us black people learn? (damn)
As time goes on, why haven't we made progress as a community? It's frustrating.
Before we had a perm, we came from Adam's sperm
Our history and heritage dates back to the beginning of humanity, before any artificial changes.
You see with plain vision, we live in the same system
We are part of the same society and face the same struggles.
Became victims, once was able, can't even raise children
We have been oppressed and now unable to provide for our families.
Where's 'the village' when you need it?
The community is supposed to support each other, but where is that support now?
A question for the person in the looking glass
An introspective question for oneself.
Our community's lookin bad like a bucket full of crabs
Our community has a problem with jealousy and pulling each other down instead of building each other up.
That's the crooked path
That's the wrong way to go, the path of destruction.
If we don't straighten this out, how long would it last?
If we don't fix our problems, they will continue to worsen and affect future generations.
Every night you hear the bullets blast
Gun violence is a common occurrence and a serious problem.
Even if you in the suburbs every night, you see the footage flash
Even if you are not directly affected, news of gun violence is everywhere, affecting everyone.
across your screen, I'll tell you my biggest pet peeve
This is a personal annoyance of mine.
You lookin at it thinkin like, "It don't affect me"
People are desensitized to gun violence and don't realize how it affects everyone indirectly.
You livin large I'm thinkin like, "It don't impress me"
Material possessions don't matter when there are bigger issues at hand.
Rockin them chains, Sojourner Truth is tryin to set free
Wearing expensive jewelry is ironic given the legacy of oppression and the fight for freedom.
It don't take a pro-fessor
It doesn't require an expert to see the issue.
to see the o-pressor got the whole treasure
The oppressor has all the wealth and power.
Now how many Africans slain for one platinum chain on yo' dresser?
The jewelry industry profits from the exploitation of African people through mining and other dangerous work.
I'm no better just because I think I know better
Having knowledge doesn't make him superior to others, but he wants to share what he knows.
Tell me who you trust when you're in your new trucks
Who can you rely on when you have everything?
Some of us dyin over a few bucks, killers old enough to ride a school bus
People are dying over small amounts of money, and even young kids are becoming involved in violence.
With brothers like these tell me, who needs the Ku Klux?
If our own people are hurting us, what's the point of an external hate group like the KKK?
Women walkin with titties out cause the truth sucks
Women are objectified and use their bodies to get attention because they feel hopeless.
It's time to breastfeed, knowledge is the best key
We need to educate and empower ourselves with knowledge to make a change.
We got us pourin liquor out for all the dead G's
We mourn the loss of our brothers and sisters to violence and drugs.
Rest? Please, in the grave you gettin less peace
Even in death, there is no peace or justice for those who suffer from oppression.
See in America they flamed bottle rockets when slaves was not abolished
America celebrates its independence while ignoring its history of slavery.
Slayed a lot of fathers and raped a lot of mommas
The violence and inhumanity of slavery still affects us today.
Them days cotton products, we blame our modern problems
The legacy of slavery and oppression still affects us today.
New ways they got us bondaged, the chains is psychologic
We are still bound by mental and psychological chains of oppression.
The media be feedin us napalm atomics
The media perpetuates fear and violence to control us.
While the schools brainwash us, the crayons is toxic (blah!)
The education system is flawed and sometimes harmful.
Don't believe the hype, they can save all the drama
Don't listen to lies and false promises.
Cause them apes not evolving, I can't swallow ya vomit
People who promote hate and ignorance are not progressing or evolving, and their ideas are sickening.
My rights as a human they change laws in congress
Political powers restrict our rights and freedoms.
Now Shaytan [Satan] in office, we can't call him honest
The current leadership is corrupt and dishonest.
What part of the game do they play, cops or robbers?
Are the people in power serving justice or just playing games with our lives?
In this land of Pocahontas, natives lost to conquest
This country was founded on the conquest and displacement of Native Americans.
Your false gods get framed, buffed and polished
Celebrities and false idols are idolized and glamorized.
If you ask who the prophet, they say Nostradamas (who?)
People follow false prophets and ignore true wisdom.
No ways of Muhammad, no pray five at Kabbah
Islam is misunderstood and misrepresented in the media.
Definition of a terrorist, they call Islamic
Islam and Muslims are unfairly targeted and demonized as terrorists.
So many brothers puzzled and can't solve they problems
We are lost and confused, unable to solve our problems.
Smuggle crack, juggle rap, or play ball in college
Our options for success are limited and often harmful.
But Uncle Sam, hustle man, take all your dollars
The government takes advantage of us and exploits us for our money.
Break y'all, sink them 8-balls in your pocket
We are encouraged to waste our money and resources on vices that harm us.
I'm chosen like Moses, here to take y'all to promise
He feels called to lead his people to a better future and change the status quo.
My +Quest+ started when Tip say "Lost my wallet"
His personal journey to fight injustice started with a conversation about a lost wallet with his friend.
We all gotta get it, the mules, acres was promised
We need to work together to achieve the success and freedom that was promised to us.
But the skeletons came out the closet
But the truth behind our history and present-day problems came to light.
Now some of y'all black folks is still patriotic
Some of us are still blindly loyal to a country that doesn't treat us fairly.
Dyin in wars, so who you think make the profit?
We are dying in wars that are not in our best interest, but in the interest of those who profit from them.
One day old fool, you gonna get this country
in a war that they not gonna fight for ya,
which means you gon' have to fight it yourself!
One day, the people will realize that the system is not working for them, and they will have to fight for themselves.
What makes you think you can be a black hero?
What makes him think he can make a positive change in the world as a black person?
I'm here, because I can't stand what's happening
and somebody has to make a difference
Now brotha will you help me?
He is taking action to create change and asking for others to join him.
Contributed by Eva A. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
disconnected from the interweb
You got to love when the song uplifts you with amazingly deep lyrics too. 2 birds 1 stone
Extreme Retard
I gotta admit, i just got into One Be Lo, and he`s one of the most impressive lyricists i`ve ever heard.
Pseudo Nym
you'll ever hear
BigDaddy Papsmear
Check out the duo, with Senim Silla, as Binary Star. And all the Subterraneous albums. Pretty much equals lyrically, Lo was just the main organizer.
Logan Official
This song deserves so much more love.
Local_Brain_Error // Synaptic_Misfire_Detected
So so so much more love.
Wake Up
Mannnn
DOOMstarks
"It don't take a pro-fessor
to see the o-pressor got the whole treasure." I like how One Be Lo pushes issues and be conscious hip hop but not force it on you.
John Blaze
"Some of us dyin over a few bucks.. Killers old enough to ride a school bus!"
My man One is a modern day prophet and genius, way ahead of his time.
His vocals beautifully display to you an imagery of exactly what's wrong with this country.
esbeekay
One of the best set of lyrics ever put to music