“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.
Oggie
One Be Lo Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
This is dedicated to the third George, aiyyo I miss him in the worst way
The bullet killed him on his nineteenth birthday
Now what a sad way to lose your life
At that time he had a newborn daughter and a future wife
I never got a chance to say goodbye
I heard the news from a county jail cell facin twenty-five
Can't explain how I feel inside
Did I cry? Man I probably ran a river dry
Thinkin to myself, tryin to figure why
They say it's always the good ones that have to die
(What they say?) It's always the good ones that have to die
They say real niggaz don't die, they multiply
At least a million cats demand low supply
That's a million man army, march and open fire
When MC's grab the mics and spark with no desire
Know they sire won't shine, control the tide (tide)
True Zodiac when most don't know the signs
Rap Christ, miraicle mic, don't be surprised
Who else you know talk to the deaf and lead the blind?
Once dumb now I got a lot to say
Once blind now I focus on the world today
Don't think you got +wisdom+, life'll pull your teeth
I got peeps in the dirt from some bullshit beef
Walkin a straight path these last days is even steeper
Action inflated, talk is even cheaper
You dig it? We livin in homes that's gettin deeper
The more niggaz grim the more the Grim Reaper.
The above lyrics are from One Be Lo's song "Oggie," which is a tribute to his friend, George, who was killed by a bullet on his 19th birthday. One Be Lo expresses his deep sadness about the loss, as George left behind a newborn daughter and a future wife. One Be Lo never had the chance to say goodbye to his friend, as he heard the news while he was in a county jail cell facing 25 years. He cannot explain how he feels inside and cannot understand why good people have to die. He cries, and the fact that it's always the good ones that have to die is especially hard for him to grasp.
One Be Lo then goes on to mention the power of rap and how real rappers don't die but multiply, creating an army that can march and open fire. He believes that true rappers, like himself, are like the true Zodiac and can control the tide, even when others don't know the signs. He sees himself as a rap Christ, having a lot to say and leading the blind and deaf. One Be Lo warns that life can pull your teeth if you think that you have wisdom, and he has seen friends die from bullshit beef. He admits that walking a straight path is even steeper these days and that actions speak louder than words. He ends by saying that the more grim the niggaz, the more the Grim Reaper.
Overall, One Be Lo's "Oggie" is a powerful testament to the pain and sorrow that comes with losing a loved one to senseless violence. He also uses the song to highlight the power of rap and its ability to unite people and create change.
Line by Line Meaning
This is dedicated to the third George, aiyyo I miss him in the worst way
The singer is dedicating this song to a person named George who has passed away and he misses him dearly.
The bullet killed him on his nineteenth birthday
George died on his nineteenth birthday from a gunshot wound.
Now what a sad way to lose your life
The singer reflects on the tragedy of George losing his life so young and in such a violent way.
At that time he had a newborn daughter and a future wife
When George died, he left behind a wife and newborn daughter, making his death even more heartbreaking.
I never got a chance to say goodbye
The artist was not able to say goodbye to George before he passed away.
I heard the news from a county jail cell facin twenty-five
The singer learned of George's death while he was in jail facing a twenty-five-year sentence.
Can't explain how I feel inside
The singer struggles to articulate the emotions he feels about George's death.
Can't explain the actions of the trigger guy, but still I try
Although the artist cannot understand why someone would kill George, he still tries to make sense of it.
Did I cry? Man I probably ran a river dry
The artist was likely very emotional and cried a lot after hearing about George's death.
Thinkin to myself, tryin to figure why
The artist spends a lot of time thinking and pondering over why George had to die.
They say it's always the good ones that have to die
There is a common saying that suggests that the best people often die young or in tragic circumstances.
(What they say?) It's always the good ones that have to die
The artist repeats the saying to emphasize the tragic nature of George's death and how unfair it is.
They say real niggaz don't die, they multiply
There is another saying that suggests that true and genuine people do not die but instead leave a lasting impact on the world.
At least a million cats demand low supply
There are many people who are authentic and true, but they are still in short supply.
That's a million man army, march and open fire
The singer compares the multitude of genuine and impactful people to an army that has the power to bring about change.
When MC's grab the mics and spark with no desire
When rappers take the stage and perform without passion, they are not living up to their full potential.
Know they sire won't shine, control the tide (tide)
If a rapper does not bring their full energy and passion to their performances, they will not be able to make a significant impact or influence others.
True Zodiac when most don't know the signs
The singer is comparing himself to the Zodiac, a figure associated with astrological signs, and suggests that he is authentic and genuine even when others are not.
Rap Christ, miraicle mic, don't be surprised
The singer views himself as a skilled and impactful rapper, and wants others to recognize this talent as well.
Who else you know talk to the deaf and lead the blind?
The artist is suggesting that he is unique in his ability to communicate with and lead those who are struggling or marginalized.
Once dumb now I got a lot to say
The artist has progressed from a place of ignorance or silence to one where he is empowered and vocal.
Once blind now I focus on the world today
The artist has gained a greater understanding and awareness of the world around him, and is now more knowledgeable and insightful.
Don't think you got +wisdom+, life'll pull your teeth
The singer warns listeners not to become too confident or arrogant, as life has a way of humbling people.
I got peeps in the dirt from some bullshit beef
The artist has lost friends or acquaintances due to petty conflicts, and this has motivated him to prioritize more important things.
Walkin a straight path these last days is even steeper
It is difficult to maintain a principled and ethical lifestyle, especially in the current political and social climate.
Action inflated, talk is even cheaper
Many people talk a lot but do not follow through on their words or promises.
You dig it? We livin in homes that's gettin deeper
The world is becoming more complex and difficult to navigate.
The more niggaz grim the more the Grim Reaper.
The greater the number of people who are struggling or suffering, the more likely it is that death and tragedy will strike.
Contributed by Ryan V. Suggest a correction in the comments below.