How you doing?

Doing real well. Despite all the madness in the world, life in itself is a blessing.

Can you break it down for us, who is O.U.O. and why does this group exist?

The acronym O.U.O stands for a couple things - of unknown origin, official underground original and a lot more. Basically, O.U.O is made up of myself, Dumi Right and my cousin Pep. My brother Akim the Funk Buddha is a founding member and remains a part of the fam forever (literally and figuratively -ha ha). For our latest effort tho, schedules meant that me and Pep primarily held it down. The reason we're here is to create pure and progressive hip-hop music, as someone once said, "from the soul, for the soul."

What happened to Hollywood Basic? Was this another case of money not being paid?

The Hollywood Basic saga is really quite an intricate story but in short it was a case of a corporate entity, the Walt Disney company, getting a person with a vision for hip-hop music, Dave Funkenklein (RIP), to start a record 
label, but then not following up with the resources to enable things to happen. We were label mates with Organized Konfusion and they experienced a lot of the same frustrations of lousy promotion, distribution snags, etc. 
And for us we basically didn't have any kind of marketing and promotion, especially considering the fact that our project was real unique and experimental. I mean we were pushing the envelope and the execs at Disney 
were saying they were looking to put out material that was more similar to Kriss Kross (since that was the group popular in the mainstream around that time). Dave signed us to Hollywood Basic because we were doing some real 
revolutionary and different stuff and he believed in our talent but the label never really followed through in letting the masses know that we were out there. I mean we had to fight just to get a $1000 video made because they just we're NOT trying to put any funds behind our project. Maybe I sound bitter, but its just knowing the potential of the project and seeing how it was mismanaged. I mean they even fronted on releasing the record IN ZIMBABWE and in Africa in general if that makes any kind of sense at all.

So what have you all been doing between then and now?

We've basically never stopped making music and performing along with everything else that goes along with life in the rat race. For sure we've been flying beneath the radar but we've been establishing a foundation where we can be successful making the type of music we want to make. If that means having a solid good paying day job so that we don't have to beg and end up with a crappy or shady record deal so be it. I went on to get my bachelors degree and and MBA so I can parlay that into any entrepreneurial ventures that I opt to pursue. I've also been working on music with a number of associates that I've been running with and working on sharpening my production skills. My brother Akim the Funk Buddha is a full time performer and note I didn't say emcee. He has a full blown band that he performs with and he's into theatre, he's put on several musical productions that he's has taken across the U.S. and overseas. He's been written up in the New York Times more than once and has received grants from the likes of the Rockerfeller Foundation and others. Basically we've just been keeping it moving. Collectively we've recorded songs and performed in New York City and other places including some shows in France not too long ago.

You getting set to release your album, what's it all gonna be about and who's featuring, who does production?

Our album is going to encompass all the facets of hip-hop that we are a part of and are into. By that I mean, there's serious songs on there, there's some political or social commentary, then there is some battle rhyme type stuff, there are fun story type raps and then there are a couple club bangers. That's a lot of dimensions but we weave it together to make it a journey for the listener so you go through the different stages of the record. The constant though will be an emphasis on rugged as hell beats and ill rhymes, flows and hooks.

As far as production, my boy Kev Strange outta Maryland hit us with a lot of heat for the album. He did 2 songs that are on the single (Eye 2 Eye and Crunchtime) as well as a number of other tunes. Cadence from Raw Produce 
produced 4 tracks and he spits a verse on another track that I produced. I did the rest of the album including the song Look Good that's on the 12" single. We also got this cat Storm the Unpredictable to lay down a verse on 
this piece we got called "Rock N Roll." He killed it, he's a real nice lyricist.

We are planning to drop the record in June on the heels of the 12" single.

Are you signed or will you be doing this independently?

Right now we're going the independent route so the 12" and the full length album will be put out through our own label, pH Music. We're setting it up so that we'll have national (and international) distribution though so that it can reach a wider audience. We're also going to rely heavily on online retail sales so people can order it from wherever they are in the world.

How do you view the internet in terms of marketing?

All I can say is the Internet is a beautiful thing. I mean, here I am doing an online interview with a publication 1000's of miles away and we've never met face to face. It's a great way, especially for independent artists to reach a critical mass of fans at a very low cost. We're going to be launching our official website ouofam.com shortly and that will be a great way for people to find out what we're up to, what's happening with O.U.O and our affiliates and even listen to samples of our music. I've also used the Internet to make maaaaad connects all over the globe.

As Zimbabwe Legit, how far did ya'll travel in terms of touring and what was a good place to be in those days?

As Zimbabwe Legit we did a lot of shows across the U.S but primarily in NY and the out in places like LA and Atlanta, etc. We went to Tokyo, Japan with Organized Konfusion and the Hollywood Basic staff and that was an incredible experience. I mean seeing b-boys and girls from another continent, some who didn't even speak English rocking and throwing their hands in the air, and seeing the DJs they have in clubs out there rip it up and throw on old skool hip hop tracks and have the place go wild, it was defintely some thing to remember. Separately, my brother rocked shows in Switzerland and even ventured as far as Bali and Thailand (yep I said Thailand). I didn't get to go on those trips with him but he's still talking about it to this day.

What countries would you like to hit if you were given the opportunity to do a world tour?

I really have to get back to Africa for a hip-hop show. I've been back to Zimbabwe since the heyday of Zimbabwe Legit but that was just to visit family although I did do the rounds with radio and TV. Its just so exciting to see how big the culture has gotten worldwide in just the last few years. Also seeing emcees spring up from all over the continent is real cool. I'd like to make it out to Australia because I hear they have a serious hip-hop scene out there. Got to get back to Japan and maybe some other places in Asia. Ideally the tour would end in Hawaii so we can vacation after its all said and done.

What would you say has been the best memory of hip hop to you all?

For me it has to be the New Music Seminar where Mad Skillz and Supernatural faced off in the finals in the emcee battle for world supremacy ( I think that's what they called it). Seeing those cats and the other heads that battled in the earlier rounds go toe to toe in front of a tough NYC audience was real inspirational. Sent me back to the lab to write for sure. They flipped written rhymes, then went on to freestlyes and just went blow for blow. Supernatural won the day but heads were debating for mad long about who deserved the crown. These days a lot of battles are just insult sessions where no REAL lyrical skill gets displayed. But yeah, that battle was a long, long time ago, but definitely has its place when they relate the history of hip-hop. That was to me like all the legendary battles I had 
heard about.

And the worse?

I thing anytime I've been at a hip-hop event and violence has broken out ranks up there with the worst moments. Can't think of a specific example off top but there's been quite a number.

What is the philosphy of O.U.O.?

Hopefully through all my ramblings to the other questions heads can peep where we're coming from. But to sum it up though our philosophy is pH Music, pure Hip-hop, progressive Hip-Hop, that's what we're all about.

What foods would you NOT touch?

don't eat snakes and frogs legs. Oh and snails. none of that weird stuff on my plate.

Ever been involved with battles?

When I used to stay in NYC with my brother we used to freestyle in Washington Square Park every day. A lot of heads on the scene now practised their craft there. Battle rhymes used to be a big part of my repertoire but now I am more focused on making songs with concepts than just saying how dope I am. don't get it twisted though, I still spit battle material, I just have a lot more other stuff.

What advice would you give for those out there on the come up?

This dude once said, there are trend setters and there are trend followers. Heads should stick to their guns and do what they do and forget trying to come out like the next man. Also people should remember that a lot of people 
inside the industry don't know what the hell they are doing so watch out and take everything you get from folks with a grain of salt. Listen to Tribe Called Quest's "The Business" b/c it ain't all fun and games out here.

What would you have done differently if you knew about things back in the day?

Back in the day we basically walked off the plane and signed a record deal. I mean we presented demos and cut tracks in the studio before getting a deal but you get my point. We had no clue how the music biz operated and didn't know what things we should or shouldn't be doing. We didn't really have a circle of people who could advise us around and we didn't even have management at that point. That meant we had to do it all on our own and as an artist, that's real difficult. Also not knowing the ins and outs of the game means that you miss out on critical things like publishing, etc. We also got a lot of really bad advice from so called insiders so knowing who to trust is key. But like Nas said "F... it black, no time for looking back its done", or in the words of Masta Ace "No regrets!"

What's the strangest stuff you seen in this music industry?

to me I think its the groupie factor. Let me explain that comment before I get myself in trouble. I don't mean this from any personal experiences, but I've seen women at shows even throw themselves at the hype man if they can't 
get to the artist just b/c he's on stage. Its a bizarre phenomenon. Besides that seeing wack emcees sell millions of records, that's pretty strange to me. but I understand, a lot of fans are sleep walking.

What made you want to get involved with music and what drives you to release an album?

Just being involved with hip-hop culture, rhyming was a natural progression. It provides a great means for us to express our thoughts and ideas.

Releasing an album is important b/c its a snapshot in time, basically a record of the things the artist is or was living through. If you do it right it should be timeless. Heads can hear you spit at a show or in the park, but if they cop the record, they have something they can keep going back to. Its like when I pull out an old Run DMC record or LL's Bigger and Deffer, it takes you back to the time in your life when you first peeped that and brings back all the memories. Music almost seems like a window into an era and into the mind of the artist that created it.

If violence is all some rappers know, while growing up, then do you think it's acceptable for them to reflect that in their lyrics?

Without writing a dissertation on the subject, I think that rappers can rhyme about whatever they so desire. Having said that, i think the media only chooses to expose the more negative shit. In this instance shit is a technical term. There's always been gun talk in rap, but now more than ever, that seems to be all that gets airtime, at least on the mainstream or major media airwaves. But besides that, I feel that a lot of these rappers know a lot more than violence growing up. I think there's a lot of rappers from middle class families that are spitting murder, death, kill lyrics. Like I said, noone can say, don't rhyme about this or that but what we need is balance. Besides a lot of these so called violent gun and lyrics are so played and I think heads are really ready for something new. At least add a twist to the same old story of how you came up slanging and busting shots, I'm saying.

Where do you guys live?

I reside out in Virginia, Pep is out in Philly. Akim the Funk Buddha is out in New York City.

Where can people get in touch with you if they want to just chat?

Heads that really wanna build can hit up the site www.ouofam.com (launching at the end of May)and get at us through the contacts page. Messages from there come straight to me or Pep so we will definitely get back.

Thanks for talking with us, do you have any last words or shout outs?

Big up to y'all for keeping it moving. Gotta shout out my folks Pep and Akim. And a big shout to Cadence of Raw Produce beat provider extraordinaire. What's up to Peter A over at culturama. Big Tings a G'wan in 2003.

ONE LOVE

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