One Be Lo is an artist out of the midwest who is making noise from coast to coast. One Be isn't all new to the game, he is also known as onemanarmy, formerly of the group binary star. The group binary star is no more and now One Be Lo is solo doing his own thing. His debut album S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M. drops on Fat Beats records on February 8th.

S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M. has a real 90's feel to it. It instantly reminded me of the Heiroglyphics crew and Souls of Mischief. On Be Lo recognizes the 90's feel his music has, "I ain't trying to sounds mid 90's. If it sounds like mid 90's that's just who were are. To me that is good music." Good music is definetly what it is. The album has been praised by some of hip-hop's toughest critics.

One Be Lo is currently touring. Visit his website to find out if he will be appearing in a town near you.
http://www.subterraneousrecords.com/

You're comfortable repping underground or mainstream
Rep in the sense as corporate or mainstream to make htis art or make this music if I am going to be mainstream as a meaning to get music to people the corporate to control how I do what I do , underground mentality, repping the true the art form in purest form kina like purist.

So what number album is S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M. for you?
Technically, it's my 4th. As a solo artist, it's my first official solo release.

When does the album drop?
The album drops February 8th.

What is the first single?
Decepticons. Pete Rock did the remix.

What are your hopes for the album?
Just for it to reach the people that it needs to reach. In my opinion, it's a strong solid album. Underground or mainstream, I know people feel some of the beats and relate with the album. I know that from going on the road. We rock the hood, we rock the West. We get love at college, it's unversal. I hope the music reaches as many people as possible.

Have you shot a video
Not yet.

How did you end up with Fat Beats?
It wasn't even planned. My man Ethen had worked at several labels. For years we talked about doing a 12 inch. I knew he was at Fat Beats and I was preparing to release S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M. a year ago. So I wanted to know if they were interested in putting out a 12 inch. He was like "I'm down send the music." Instead of me sending 1 or 2 songs I sent the whole album and they were like were like we want to do the whole thing and I was like, "Let's see what you are talking about."

How is life on the road?
It just depends. It's easy on us. We went out there a couple of times. We got fans and we know a lot of people so we are cutting corners on expenses. We have family and fans in every city so home is everywhere. The hardest part about the road is keeping expenses low and sales tight. It's fun. We meet new people and build relationships. I look forward to it.

Where are you from?
Born and raised in Michigan.

Have you worked with any other Michigam artist like Phat Kat or Slum Village?
Elzah from Slum Village was on my first album.

You have a lot of magazine press coming up. Are you excited about that?
Honestly, I'm getting pretty excited. I've never been in that situation and that can push the record.

A lot of hip-hop artists are lending their music or vocals to video games. Is that something that you have considered?
I'm down. I'm down to do whatever I do in whatever format that is available to me. , I'm down to do all types of things. Underground don't understand my opinion. I'm not anti-corporate or anti mainstream, or anti getting a deal, I'm anti getting f*cked. I'll do a McDonalds commercial...in my own kinda way.

Do you have a website?
Yes. It's www.subterraneousrecords.com

Do you go on your site and talk with your fans?
All the time. I don't like to call them fans. I'm real accessible to the people. We are all the same I just rap. They e-mail me. I chiill with cats at the show and converse on the boards about everything from hip-hop to politics or what shoes are you rockin'. I think that helps especially when you dont have a huge deal and videos. That word of mouth spreads.

Last comments
I'm just promoting this album to as many people as possible, Before I used to be humble and ask people to check it out if you get a chance. Now I am demanding that people check out this album. Subterraneous and One Be Lo can make and impact on the culture as a whole. Check out this album.

You can visit One Be Lo at www.subterraneousrecords.com

Interview copyright Dorrie Williams-Wheeler, and Thabiz.com 2005
Dorrie Williams-Wheeler is the author of Be My Sorority Sister Under Pressure and the Unplanned Pregnancy Book for Teens and College Students. She is the founder of Thabiz.com and Imissthe80s.com and writes for the Rap, Teen, and 1980s section at Bellaonline.com. She is an ASCAP member as a writer and a publisher. Please contact Dorrie for advertising inquiries, lyric writing inquiries, reprint rights, paying entertainment jobs, or general comments.
Visit Dorrie on the web at www.sparkledoll.com or e-mail her at webmaster@thabiz.com.