Search - One Be Lo :: S O N O G R a M

Sounds Of Nashid Originate Good Rhymes And Music

Alan Pounds | Minneapolis, MN | 04/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I purchased this album on pure recommendation from Los Angeles based rapper Murs. I read an interview with him on the web, and he was just raving about how good One.Be.Lo was. I figured that a well respected rapper such as Murs would have great taste in hip-hop music, which he obviously does, because this album is excellent. One.Be.Lo brings a lot to the table with his solo debut, keeping it truly underground. The album is a very clear representation of what One.Be.Lo is all about; which wasn't so clear in his past collaborative efforts. His music is empowering, and introspective. But he really steps forward in his lyrical delivery, which is very passionate. There isn't really a record quite like it. I could slightly compare it to early Black Eyed Peas or The Roots when considering it's soulful jazzy rhythms, but he just does it so much better in comparison (it also helps that he's underground). He actually has a lot of influences from the likes of Brand Nubian, Nas, Ice Cube, KRS-One and also Poor Righteous Teachers.



From the album's introduction, the music will keep your head nodding for the entirety of it's 70 minutes in length. It will keep you thinking, "Yeah, this is where it's at." One.Be.Lo signed a three record deal with the Fatbeats label; but when examining this devastatingly long record, it would seem that this is the last chance he'll ever have to prove himself in the rap game. Even though it's so long, their doesn't seem to be any filler. It's an album of epic proportions that will keep you coming back for more time and time again. As with most quality underground artists, it will take a few spins to fully digest all of his complex wordplay. If you listen to underground hip-hop, you will understand that that is a good thing. One.Be.Lo never sounds overbearing. It's almost as if he is talking directly to you in an intimate setting, letting "you" know what's going down. Although the music production is very jazzy and soulful, it's also one-of-a-kind. The looping sounds and samples sound very different from most hip-hop albums I've heard, giving it a unique perspective and feel. Some of my favorite tracks are "The UNDERground," "enecS eht no kcaB," "The Ghetto," "True Love," "Deceptacons," "Sleepwalking," and "Rocketship".



Overall, this is everything I've grown to love in a hip-hop album since I've started listening to rap. His flow is engrossing, he boasts effective social and political commentary, he raps about what's happening in his life as opposed to throwing a bunch of words together that don't make sense, and the production flawlessly matches his style. This album is nearly perfect, and I would recommend it with the highest of praise."

Response to the 'antisemetic comment'

Scott | 05/07/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Not trying to turn this into a message board or anything, but i have to clear up the misunderstanding regarding one.be.lo's lyrics. Below someone mistook insight with antisemeticism. they gave the album 1 star because the lyrics read.



"And everything I mentioned get controlled by the Jews, right?"



The authors below only took this statement for face value, but totally missed its sarcastic undertones. From earlier in the song, it has a line with the same flow and chorous-like approach, with 'right?' unifying this and many of the other second-guessing types of lyrics.



"You used to be the person gettin caught in the hype

Like if I read it in the paper then it gotta be news, right?"



If anything, Lo's commenting on the fact that people are lead to believe the media is controlled by the jews, just like we're lead to believe that everything in the paper is completely truthful and important to the current state of the world. (if you don't believe me, check out the recipe section, or anything W has said in the past 6 years.)



And by the way, who ever gave this album 1 star just because they misunderstood one lyric shouldn't be listening to hip hop, or muic in general for that matter. If you're that caught up in political correctness, one.be.lo is beyond your realm. His commentary on the state of the country comes with crystal clear vision and NO RACIAL PREJUDISM. His beats, not to mention everything subterraneous, are an excellent source of protein and dope. Lo's proven that he can impeccably 'pen-a-written that can fit-the-rhythm.' This album is one the greatest CD you'll ever buy.



Context before criticism"

The only hip hop you need stranded on a deserted island

RobD in Indiana | Bloomington, IN, USA | 03/23/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"There aren't words. Those in the know flew off the handle excited every time Lo even hinted that this might finally be dropping.



Of Binary Star underground notoriety, Lo is by far the most intelligent MC you've ever heard. If he has any flaw, it's that every line is so chock full of thought: deep hip hop references, wordplay, and .... just INCREDIBLE lyricism that people will miss some of it. I've played this thing easily over 1000 times and I catch something new EVERY SINGLE TIME THROUGH.



If you're looking for an heir to lyricists following - and, honestly, eclipsing A Tribe Called Quest, Common, Mos Def, Talib Kweli -- (which is TRUE hip hop, after all), you simply MUST pick this up. This man is the greatest MC - ever. Period. I don't say that lightly, given the above company."