Audible Treats Audio Stream: One Be Lo - "Gray"
01.22.2008
First Single from The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.
The Song:
The only track on The R.E.B.I.R.T.H. to feature live instrumentation, "Gray" is a highly conceptual, somberly optimistic anthem for both the struggling youth and the lingering old school heads. From the jazz saxophone to the myriad literary devices to the early '90s hip-hop references, One Be Lo's single speaks- though not exclusively- to a generation often neglected in rap, the adults.
The second verse exemplifies Lo's ability to speak to both the young and the old, as he articulates the struggle of a bi-racial girl: "Family on the light side, don't accept the dark side/ Sorta like Apartheid, pass each other by like The Pharcyde/ 'FatLip' like her daddy, flat butt like her mammy/." While some of the references in "Gray" might go over the head of a younger listener, the message nonetheless resounds with passion and clarity. Says One Be Lo, "We all experience gray in our lives, but it's for a reason, and it's never permanent." Expect to have "Gray" on repeat, and don't be surprised if this jam becomes an uplifting concert closer.
The Background:
One Be Lo first hit the hip-hop scene in the late '90s as OneManArmy, one half of the short-lived yet critically acclaimed duo Binary Star. Binary Star's second LP, Masters of the Universe, is regarded as an underground classic by many-- the album sold over 30,000 units independently and can be found today on eBay for upwards of $350. Skipping ahead to 2005, One Be Lo resurfaced on Fat Beats Records as a bona fide solo artist with S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M. The album moved over 22,000 copies, becoming one of the year's most successful independent hip-hop releases. In 2007, One Be Lo released his sophomore LP as a solo artist, titled R.E.B.I.R.T.H., with a host of big-name producers ranging from Jake One to Vitamin D. One Be Lo has shared the stage with hip-hop giants KRS-One, Rakim, and the Wu-Tang Clan , and has toured the nation with Brother Ali, Soul Position, and Zion I. One Be Lo is also a dedicated activist, often connecting with the youth through speaking engagements and workshops. He is also a member of the World Champion B-boy crew, Massive Monkees.
Streams:
http://www.audibletreats.com/download/OneBeLo/One_Be_Lo-Gray.asx
http://www.audibletreats.com/download/OneBeLo/OneBeLo-Gray.mp3
http://onebelo.imeem.com/music/8u9-Qdzc/one_be_lo_gray
Bio, pictures, and streams available here:
http://www.audibletreats.com/download/OneBeLo/
One Be Lo's MySpace page:
http://www.myspace.com/OneBeLo
One Be Lo's imeem page:
http://OneBeLo.Imeem.com
Please contact Michelle if interested in talking with One Be Lo.