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© ukhip-hop.com 1999 - 2002
article 0057 added 28.12.02 words
Diane Thomas
English rappers have major competition. Not only are a huge majority of hip hop fans in the UK loyal supporters of big boys such as Nas and Jay Z, but they also enjoy listening to the glamorous tales of model chicks, cars and ice. Now in saying that, MOBO unsung finalists One may also listen to these artists, but they refuse to rap about topics foreign to their own personal lives.
"The whole essence of hip hop is about translating your experiences and rapping about who you are and where you're from." Dent summarises as we discuss the notion of British rappers imitating US artists. "When American artists are talking about jumping in their 44's and buying Crystal from a bar in New York, you believe them 'cause you know they live in New York, and not in Southampton or London somewhere."
One consists of eleven rappers who hail proudly form the north side of town. The group members are Sway, Dent, Michael Meredith, DJ Exzile, Edge, AC, DJ Sahux, Pyrelli, Mr TI2BS, Artcha and Guv'nor. The group are lounging in the familiar surroundings of their north London studio, eating fried chicken and chips. The vibe intensifies as we discuss their defeat at the MOBO's. "The MOBO's was like, 'who can be the best out there?'" Sway describes carefully, interrupted by Dent. "Or who can sell automatically, off the back with no effort."
Let's rewind back to the finals in the MOBO unsung heat, which took place in September 2002. Five bands came together to battle for the chance of winning an internationally recognized award. Disappointingly, One didn't win, but what factors did they accredit that to? Sway puts across his point of view. "We had the most original song there and the most original performance, and I thought that this time around because everything has gone so urban in the UK, they would give (the award) to rappers this time, but I think they tried to but we were too unorthodox for them and we were something that had never seen before or couldn't relate to."
He may be right. One are more than a manufactured pop band, they are a group of artists formed out of a love for Hip Hop. The fact that they have mutual talent expressed in their unique rhyming abilities is just a bonus. The group as a whole possess lyrical skill beyond the average mainstream rap group and confidently showcase their potential thoroughly on their debut E.P
'Onederfulworld.'
Not being from a major label gave One the necessary creative control on their E.P. The downside however is that they have to compete with artists who have huge advertising and marketing budgets, as Edge explains. "I've played the EP to man and they'd rather buy the Ja Rule album over it, and I know this EP is better than the Ja Rule album and I'm saying the reason for that is because Ja Rule is getting promoted and flung at them in such a way that you can't side step him… At the end of the day, people buy what is the lick and if you make an English man the lick, he's gonna sell."
One have already sold 7,000 copies of their E.P. and so are fast becoming the 'lick' themselves. They may not have gained the MOBO award, but so what, One possess the business acumen and lyrical genius that in the long term mean more than any handcrafted trophy. They have the one thing that many artists lack and wannabe rap stars dream of having, talent - that alone is their trophy.
For further information visit www.theofficialone.com
Written by Diane Thomas
