“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.
Deceptacons
One Be Lo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Some things change, some things stay the same
Feelings, desires, beliefs, opinions
Some things change, some things stay the same
Rules, laws, control, position
Some things change, some things stay the same
Fame, fortune, fashion, trends
Some things change, some things stay the same
[One.Be.Lo]
Okay, some things change, some things stay the same
I once knew this kid who was caught up in the game (how?)
His wallet and his chain was the promise in his brain
20 inch speakers, amps got his wattage and his range
Smooth operator, player rockin with the 'caine
Fiends hollerin his name (go Lo) got his product in they veins (go Lo)
He said - "Livin clean only get you simple things"
So he balanced triple beams, now the block is feelin flames
Hot enough to make the Devil cop a lemonade
Cops poppin out a shade, now the spot is gettin +Raid+
Like roaches, night approach us, gotta get away
Quicksand, snitch ran to the cops to give his name
Picture his wife and kids not up in the frames
Stay dry, get wet, the only option's in the rain (drippin)
Impossible to maintain, momma so ashamed
Good Lord, granddaddy probably tossin in his grave
[Chorus] - fades out halfway
[over Chorus]
Yeahhh boy!
What goes up, must come down!
Don't believe the hype, knah'msayin?
{*chuckling*} Here we go again
[One.Be.Lo]
You get caught up in that everyday cycle, you might go psycho
Especially if you don't know what I know
My chords on the vinyl give you more than recital
And every situation we adapt for +survival+
+The fittest+, exercise mind, body, spirit
for the first place category mandatory finish
Cause only the strong get it, my lungs long-winded
in this race we call livin, can't fall victim
to the same old excuses (why not?)
That only mean your brain goin useless
We make a change for improvement
Every plan needs an execution
Every man needs an evolution
Oppressed lands need a revolution
The best solution for the problems in place
Empires fell flat on they face due to the change
You think it strange, my granddaddy would say
"That butterfly was a caterpillar back in the day" (okay)
[Chorus]
[One.Be.Lo]
We used to flock together, birds of the same feather
Shared the same clothes, same hoes, same treasure
When everything was fair, everybody gained pleasure
But everything changed when came the rain weather
Whatever, for unexpected shit like that
I keep an umbrella just in case it get like that
You was the cat, who used to smile up in my face
Come up in my place, in the 'fridgerator stuffin your face
Stuck in your ways, somethin was strange
I shoulda known you was nothin but +snake+
the way you used to +rattle+ on about yourself
It was all about you, what could I do?
I was just like - nah, I was nothin like you
See I was real, you was the cat that used to front
First time you did that shit behind my back, so what?
Second time I had a problem with yourself, hold up
Third time we had to talk, I was like WHAT THE FUCK
is this? It used to be a friendship
Then this Decepticon +Transformed+ into a Benedict
I can't think of no other reason
other than the fact that you was jealous of the life that I was leadin
Tryin to deceive me, you only deceive you
What you thought was invisible was only see-through
I used to love you like you came out my own mother
But the man behind the mask could never be my brother
In One Be Lo's song "Deceptacons," the artist explores the idea that while some things change, others remain the same. The chorus repeats this idea, discussing that while feelings, beliefs, and people remain constant, other things, such as fame and fashion, are fleeting. One Be Lo tells a story in the verses of a former friend who became caught up in drug dealing for material gain. The singer ultimately tries to distance himself from the toxic relationship, but the former friend transforms into a backstabbing "Deceptacon" that the singer can no longer associate with.
The lyrics of "Deceptacons" are a commentary on the cyclical nature of life, as One Be Lo juxtaposes the constant elements with ever-changing ones. The verses discuss themes of personal growth, survival, and change, while also critiquing people who are consumed by wealth and their own selfish motives. The chorus and the overall tone of the song suggest that while some things may be beyond our control, we can always strive to adapt and grow in the face of change.
Line by Line Meaning
Some things change, some things stay the same
Life is full of changes and constants
Feelings, desires, beliefs, opinions
Personal opinions and feelings may change or stay the same
Rules, laws, control, position
Power structures and laws may stay the same or evolve
Fame, fortune, fashion, trends
Pop culture and societal trends may change or remain the same
People, problems, relations, friends
Human relationships and challenges persist
Okay, some things change, some things stay the same
The chorus is true, life has both constants and changes
I once knew this kid who was caught up in the game (how?)
Once there was a person deeply involved with drugs
His wallet and his chain was the promise in his brain
He saw financial gain as his main priority
20 inch speakers, amps got his wattage and his range
He prioritized material possessions and status symbols
Smooth operator, player rockin with the 'caine
He was charming and manipulative, dealing cocaine
Fiends hollerin his name (go Lo) got his product in they veins (go Lo)
His clients became addicted to the drugs he provided
He said - "Livin clean only get you simple things"
He believed that an honest life lacked opportunities and excitement
So he balanced triple beams, now the block is feelin flames
He sold drugs intensively, causing chaos around him
Hot enough to make the Devil cop a lemonade
The situation was extremely dangerous
Cops poppin out a shade, now the spot is gettin +Raid+
The police came and raided the location
Like roaches, night approach us, gotta get away
He had to flee the scene to avoid getting caught
Quicksand, snitch ran to the cops to give his name
Someone betrayed him and gave his identity to law enforcement
Picture his wife and kids not up in the frames
His loved ones disowned him after his arrest
Stay dry, get wet, the only option's in the rain (drippin)
He can either avoid the rain and stay comfortable, or embrace the challenge of getting wet
Impossible to maintain, momma so ashamed
It was impossible for him to keep up with the lifestyle and his mother was disappointed in him
Good Lord, granddaddy probably tossin in his grave
His grandfather would be greatly disappointed in his behavior
You get caught up in that everyday cycle, you might go psycho
Without awareness of one's situation, mental health may suffer
Especially if you don't know what I know
One's perspective and knowledge can greatly affect their ability to cope
My chords on the vinyl give you more than recital
One.Be.Lo's music brings value beyond words
And every situation we adapt for +survival+
We must continually adapt to overcome obstacles
+The fittest+, exercise mind, body, spirit
To survive, one must focus on physical, mental, and spiritual well-being
for the first place category mandatory finish
Top performance is required to achieve success
Cause only the strong get it, my lungs long-winded
Success requires persistence and strength
in this race we call livin, can't fall victim
We must work hard to avoid being overcome by challenges
to the same old excuses (why not?)
Repeating the same excuses is not productive
We make a change for improvement
Change is necessary for personal growth
Every plan needs an execution
Success requires thorough planning and follow-through
Oppressed lands need a revolution
Sometimes radical change is necessary to alleviate oppression
The best solution for the problems in place
The most effective solution must be found for each problem
Empires fell flat on they face due to the change
Powerful systems can collapse if they resist adapting to change
You think it strange, my granddaddy would say
One.Be.Lo's grandfather would find these ideas unconventional
"That butterfly was a caterpillar back in the day" (okay)
Change is natural and necessary for personal growth
We used to flock together, birds of the same feather
Once they were friends with shared interests
Shared the same clothes, same hoes, same treasure
They lived a similar lifestyle
When everything was fair, everybody gained pleasure
Life was enjoyable for everyone
But everything changed when came the rain weather
Their friendship took a turn for the worse when challenges arose
Whatever, for unexpected shit like that
For events like this, anything can happen
I keep an umbrella just in case it get like that
One.Be.Lo is always prepared for unexpected moments
You was the cat, who used to smile up in my face
He was once close friends with the person he's addressing, who pretended to be friendly
Come up in my place, in the 'fridgerator stuffin your face
The friend abused One.Be.Lo's hospitality by frequently raiding his fridge
Stuck in your ways, somethin was strange
The friend had become set in his negative habits
I shoulda known you was nothin but +snake+
He should have realized his friend was disingenuous
the way you used to +rattle+ on about yourself
The friend only talked about their own experiences and achievements
It was all about you, what could I do?
The friend was self-centered and not interested in One.Be.Lo's perspective
I was just like - nah, I was nothin like you
One.Be.Lo and his friend had different values and priorities
See I was real, you was the cat that used to front
One.Be.Lo was truthful and authentic, unlike his friend who acted fake
First time you did that shit behind my back, so what?
The friend betrayed One.Be.Lo, but it didn't seem like a big deal at the time
Second time I had a problem with yourself, hold up
The friend's behavior became more problematic
Third time we had to talk, I was like WHAT THE FUCK
After multiple issues arose, One.Be.Lo was finally fed up
is this? It used to be a friendship
The relationship deteriorated completely
Then this Decepticon +Transformed+ into a Benedict
The friend became a deceitful traitor
I can't think of no other reason
There was no clear cause for the former friend's behavior
other than the fact that you was jealous of the life that I was leadin
One.Be.Lo's success and lifestyle may have made his friend envious
Tryin to deceive me, you only deceive you
The friend's actions only harmed himself in the end
What you thought was invisible was only see-through
The friend's lies and intentions were transparent
I used to love you like you came out my own mother
One.Be.Lo cared deeply for his friend
But the man behind the mask could never be my brother
However, the friend's true character made it impossible for them to be family-like
Contributed by Stella K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.