Binary Star (band)
| Binary Star | |
|---|---|
| [[File:thumb|description|frameless|alt=|]] | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Pontiac, Michigan, United States |
| Genres | Alternative hip hop |
| Years active | 1998–2000, 2002, 2009-2011 |
| Labels | Subterraneous |
| Past members | |
| One Be Lo Senim Silla |
|
Binary Star is a hip hop group formed in 1998 that was composed of One Be Lo and Senim Silla. One Be Lo met Senim Silla, and the two formed Binary Star during their time in Hiawatha Correctional Facility.[1] One Be Lo took the time to gather extensive knowledge about the music industry, including copyrights, publishing, and how to successfully start a record company. In his own words, he "learned how to hustle legally".[1]
Contents |
[edit] History
Their debut effort, Waterworld was produced on a $500 budget[2] and released in 1999, under the label Terrorist Records. An extensive tour of Michigan followed, as both members of the duo were on parole and were not permitted to leave the state. Binary Star then switched to Subterraneous Records and released Masters of the Universe, named for a track on the album. This album was essentially just a remixed version of Waterworld,[3] but garnered far more attention, as the album sold 20,000 copies.[4] However, the pair were not getting along particularly well,[1] and, citing creative differences,[5] Binary Star was discontinued. They reunited briefly in 2002, doing a concert together at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont,[6] but they did not record any new material. Although there has inevitably been speculation about a reformation of Binary Star, One Be Lo has stated that this is unlikely. "I seriously doubt it", he said, proceeding to claim, "Artists are real, real picky and real, real closed minded. They can be real, real strongly opinionated. If there ain’t no real chemistry, it ain’t going to work.".[5]
Binary Star's legacy, while minor, is still apparent, as Masters of the Universe and its earlier counterpart Waterworld are still highly regarded by many fans of underground hip hop.[7][8]
Despite earlier claims, Binary Star's official myspace page states that, "Recently reuniting after a 10-year hiatus, Binary Star is back in the studio working on its long awaited follow-up to the classic debut album Masters Of The Universe (M.O.T.U.). Tentatively titled "Light Years Apart," the duo's EP serves as a mere prequel to a full-length LP."
[edit] Discography
- Waterworld (1999, Terrorist Records)
- Masters of the Universe (2000, Subterraneous Records)
[edit] One Be Lo
- WaterWorld Too (2001, Subterraneous Records)
- Project: F.E.T.U.S. (2002, Subterraneous Records)
- S.T.I.L.L.B.O.R.N. (2005, Trackezoids/ Subterraneous Records)
- S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M. (2005, Fat Beats/ Subterraneous Records)
- The R.E.B.I.R.T.H. (2007, Subterraneous Records)
- "L.A.B.O.R." (2011, Subterraneous Records)
[edit] Senim Silla
- The Name, The Motto, The Outcome (2007, Infinite Rhythm Network)
[edit] References
- ^ a b c The odd couplet (Metro Times Detroit)
- ^ Subterraneous Is A Movement
- ^ various artists :: Waterworld Too * N.W.W.O. :: Subterraneous Records
- ^ Subterraneous Is A Movement
- ^ a b One.Be.Lo (aka OneManArmy of Binary Star) - “The Birth Of One.Be.Lo” - The Elements
- ^ Prophetix is the Ultimate! Underground Hiphop from the ATL! - Atlanta, GA
- ^ piece of shep | The Best Hip-Hop Albums
- ^ Binary Star :: Waterworld :: Terrorist Records
[edit] External links
- Binary Star at Allmusic
- [1] Binary Star November 20, 2009 San Francisco concert info
