An Interview with Peoria-Bred, Madison-Based Rapper 1neofmani

1neofmani (One of Many) — an unorthodox rap artist whose music and #LessWorkLifestyle movement is set on controlling the narratives on how local rappers are viewed and acknowledged. Out of the many things 1neofmani does, it all aligns with his music. Whether it’s LessWork Literature (blogs), LessWork Lens (photography), or LessWork Lyrix (music), they’re all necessities of which local artists need to remain relevant and for their views to reign as influential. A local artist himself, 1neofmani saw this as an avenue to create in Madison, WI and titled his subscription-based company — LessWork Local Lifestyle — along with his business partner Akiya (Ah-Ke-ya) “K.I.L.O” (Keep It Lesbian Only) Alexander, musical leader of the LGBTQ+ music/photography movement in the Madison area. 1neofmani creates the soundtracks to the “lifestyles” of local artists while K.I.L.O captures it all through her LessWork Lens. Remove the instruments from 1neofmani’s music to enjoy poetry, in addition, to a king’s speech, a template for radicals. Music is the perfect engagement for those who are aware plus new to 1neofmani’s “Local Is The New Global” message. As 1neofmani would put it: “Easy Wins.”

With his single and music video, “WittUs,” out now, we took some time to hear more from 1neofmani. Read below to learn more about 1neofmani, the story behind his single, and what’s to come.

Hi 1neofmani! Let’s start with how did you get your artist name?

What’s up bro and thanks for having me. That’s a great place to start. My name is pronounced, “One of Many,” and to put it simply, I do a lot. I am a Hip-Hop artist, apparel GOD, content cultivator, all-around writer, self-published blogger with LessWork Literature, co-songwriter for local artists, and more importantly, a community front-liner on behalf of local artists that rap. There are “Many” people that do what I do musically, as far as rap over beats. To know me is to know that 1 of the many things I do well is create music worth playing again. It is known for rap to be a territorial space, and I would sometimes use my name as to say, “out of the many artists operating in this space, I AM The 1ne. One of Many.” It all comes down to letting the music speak. Press play on me.

What city are you from and where are you based now?

309 is my city! Excuse me I got a little excited. I’m from the Home of Richard Pryor, Mark Clark (black panthers), Shaun Livingston, and the Manual “Winning” Rams. If you are not familiar with those references then I must say that I’m from Peoria, Illinois. I currently reside in the musical landmine of Madison, Wisconsin. This city has had music talent and companies specializing in music sticking around and popping up at random as of late. It’s a great time to be from or in Madison, Wisconsin right now. Yeah, you heard that right and you heard it from 1ne, 1st.

If we were to visit Madison, Wisconsin what are our musical must-sees?

Most importantly, our office to plant your thought process in our world and to meet our team. Radio22, a local radio company pushing the needle forward on offering more than music opportunities for creatives inspired to work around music. AFGM, to meet Chaos and to see why it’s important for artists to convert their talent into services. Broadjam.com, to meet Roy Elkins and uncover sync licenses opportunities for artists. L.U.M., to meet the owners of the competitive streaming service. Eleven Music Career Center, to introduce you to Matt and his team as they’re doing great things such as coaching artists on how to navigate their careers while holding them accountable. Lastly, this isn’t music related, but we gotta get something to eat, so we’ll definitely stop by Kingdom Restaurant to get you all together.

At what point in your life did you decide to pursue a career in music? How did you get started?

Music chose me at the age of 9. That is also when I wrote my 1st rap called “Check Me Out Boy.” Yeah, and I still remember my short-lived verse too. Maybe another time. I remember music playing everywhere. From home, to school, sports competitions, video games, parties of course, and just being raised in a household of 10 boys. Music chose me like a family tradition. We all either engaged or performed original songs. Back home in Peoria, I am a member of BloodLine Music Group. All brothers and cousins sharing the same bloodline and known around the city for having that work on records. Influenced by radio records and movie soundtracks, we found ourselves recording on a pink tape recorder and beating the streets with our most recent work blasting! Looking back, it really wasn’t that loud, but you had to be there to fully appreciate it. Don’t let the color fool you. We had that music game on lock in Peoria. There was this local competition called Shut It Down Sundays (SIDS). If you are from Peoria, Illinois you know about BloodLine at SIDS. We won the competition so much that we damn near had to retire as performers. For the sake of clarity: B.L.O.O.D.L.I.N.E. means Building Loyalty On Our Destination Limits Improper Novelty Effectively. Speaking of Shut It Down Sundays, shoutout to H2G from Peoria. They used to smash the stage as well. Love.

Has your upbringing played a role in shaping who you are and defining your sound today? If so, how?

Without question. I believe people’s interest grow towards their early exposures in life. My interests are best expressed musically. To be honest there is no better platform for expressing a thought like a stage built for a rapper. We are the ultimate influencers. We influence the world to be just like us, say what we say, do what we do, wear what we wear, and shop where we do. Of course, there is a word for this, it’s called a role model. Some artists will argue this, but to no avail due to what I mentioned previously about being an influencer. As a rapper, I am aware of the affect that I have on the people listening. My sound is curated around being the soundtrack to not only my reality, but to the many people that I encounter who tell me my music helped shape their life. That’s deeper than music and when they listen to my songs, it’s jewels and a bunch of free game. I rap (speak) to power, risk-takers, and the strategists. My musical exercise is to be so impactful that my core believers will stop everything they’re doing to be a part of whatever I’m involved in. If I am not that yet, then that is what I aspire to create with my sound.

How would you describe your sound to readers who may not be familiar with you?

“Local Is The New Global.” I am the artist you press play on when you begin to believe your organic approach won’t work, when you feel the world is not listening, when you complete your goals in the face of doubt; I would describe my sound as a soundtrack to navigate through life stages from the womb to the tomb. My music is me looking back on my life to highlight the experiences that led me to writing the records. I foresee my sound planting a mindset in creators to create and control their ideas from thought to consumption. Records like “WittUS” and “Love Is Love” are my attempts to elevate my sound without separating from my foundation.

Do you have any hobbies outside of music? What do you do to stay creative?

I create content for local businesses on social media. I enjoy reading books on morals and life advice. Some of my favorites are: all of R.R. Moore Presents (series), Pecking Order (Omar Tyree, The 80/20 Principle (Richard K), Message To The Blackman In America (Elijah M), FREE (Chris A.), and The 17 Indisputable Laws of Teamwork (John C. M.). I am the owner of LessWork Local Lifestyle with my business partner and label mate, K.I.L.O aka SkitL’z (LGBTQ+ recording artists/photographer). As a brand, our niche is highlighting local artists as community partners to create year around collaborations. I get to create the logos and branded content. I enjoy drawing all LessWork designs by freehand. Then, they are shared with our graphic designer Matt Nemetz with FocalFuse to bring my drafts to life. I enjoy attending my daughter’s gymnastics sessions. I find myself busy with life, period, so this is exclusively our time every week. As for remaining creative, creativity sparks in a room full of creatives. In 2018, we purchased our 1st office space and recruited Oddly Arranged Media to house their music and engineering talents inside with us. Today, I remain creative by being blessed with in-house producers, engineers, PR, bloggers, graphic designers, videographers, the internet, and all my local partners. We Say, Easy Wins. #WittUS

What do you find imperative as a creative?

Definitely not sleep. I say TIME. Recently, I took some advice from an author that I know and fired my boss after a book he wrote titled, “I Fired My Boss.” S/O Martinez White. After I fired my boss, I found myself with more time than money. With time, I can generate anything within reason. Even with all the money, I still could never purchase time. Time allowed me to think, focus, and act on my thoughts. Time is imperative for creatives. Find a way to never rush what will last forever.

Who are some of your main musical influences?

That’s a great question because somewhere along the lines it became less Hip-Hop to openly express who we, as aspiring artists are influenced by. I can easily recall 2Pac having an instant impact on my life before my music interests. His ability to come off relatable while still being 2Pac even when in character as “Birdie” from “Above The Rim.” Musically, I wanted to be like 2Pac because his courage to be vulnerable and vulgar came off effortlessly. After 2Pac, I leaned towards a more southern sound of influencers like Devin The Dude (To tha X-Treme) with records like “Anythang” introducing me to the vibes of conversations on wax without rush. Devin The Dude is a true inspiration to my music. Go get that “Soulful Distance” album (2021). Fast-forward to the last 12 years, and you’ll see the influence Nipsey Hussle played in my career and my life. From vertically integrating his Marathon brand to uncovering a new world of artists interested in owning the route our music travels to reach our consumers. Just in life, I am influenced by people who believed enough for others to believe in themselves. That is what all my musical influences did for me and what I plan to pass down. Thanks to them all.

What are some of your future music career goals?

To create a scalable subscription-based production house. Mainly, to introduce local music industries around the world to new business models. I no longer believe in upfront money when money spenders continue to subscribe to monthly solutions. I’m currently hosting a GoFundMe titled: LessWork Lifestyle 1-Stop Solution with this future music career goal. Think of Planet Fitness hours and Netflix price system married the music industry and gave birth to a newborn? Local would become the new global right? Okay, imagine being able to

· record your song

· do your photo shoot

· record the music video

· be interviewed

· satisfy your graphic design needs

· create custom merchandise

· receive social media assistance

· all under 1-roof?

The best part is the ability to subscribe. Don’t ask how, ask yourself if you find value anywhere inside this solution? Of course, I would benefit from this as well, but the unselfish approach is what I would want people to adopt and trace.

Now onto your release, “WittUs.” What inspired the song?

“WittUS” is the added value of having a soundtrack to remind me of my life stages. I never know what I am going to write about before I hear a beat. I believe in energy traveling through the things we touch as humans. My producer and hometown homeboy, 9 Got Hitz, will create a group of like 30 beats and send them to me like “do yo sh*t.” My process is unforced no matter the circumstances. I sit in the studio, drive around the city, go hours with earbuds in, and just mumbling the words I hear as I listen to the beat. With the song, “WittUS,” it was no different. I played the beat religiously until the words began to sit perfectly inside the instruments. I’m no longer searching for who I am as an artist. It’s predictable where I may take my records in dialogue, but the truth and inspiration is always present. No pressure.

What is “WittUs” about in your own words?

“WittUS” (With US) is the line drawn in the sand. Saying you’re either With Us or against US. There is no middle or in between. Verbally, I am speaking to my area of artists and affiliates in the Madison, Wisconsin area. I’ve accepted my role as a leader of my team and in my city. As a leader, I must know who is with me and who has taken a firm stance to oppose me. Don’t get me wrong, my solutions are for everyone, but not everyone will accept my views and that’s their coin to toss. Where I am now in my career, I am focusing on the people who are “WittUS” (with us). These are the people who have my best interest and who I make sacrifices for/with. “WittUS” is the final presentation of executing a plan successfully. Confirmation that Local Is The New Global and We The Way, Not The Wave. #LessWork

How did the music video for “WittUs” come about? What was your vision for the video?

I write all my songs from the perspective of shooting a video to everything. The vision for the record was different than what was presented to the world. I’ll email you the original video treatment. I mainly wanted to highlight my office space, my musical views, my in-house team, and local partners whose business that I’ve earned over the years. As I rap: “if you ain’t against us/you gone get richer (rich-a).” When you go back, watch the video with all this insight. Watch how we incorporate our LessWork (LWL) brand, books from local authors, local activists, and banners with local businesses that I’ve help bring awareness to or have completed community collaborations with. We hosted the video release for “WittUS” inside a local shop in Madison called the “Peanut Butter and Jelly Deli.” The owner, Mike, even added a sandwich to his menu called the “WittUS” sandwich. That’s real love. Get real love for what I do, and I don’t take it for granted.

What message do you hope fans take away from your music and from “WittUs?”

That my mission is to build with and for my people. For us to take control of our influence even when the music is turned off. I hope “WittUS” will act as a course to study my path in aspiration of applying my templated steps to reaching one’s greatness. I am forever a student of the game; that of which I’ve learned is all of what I will give in return. That’s law.

What’s one of your proudest moments of your music career so far?

Doing it for real. Putting music out for new ears to experience what I’ve shared with local lovers for years. I rarely use the word proud because I’ve come to the conclusion that to be proud is to express prior doubt in completing the accomplishment or tasks. I am aware of what I plan to achieve in music, and once I write it down, I’ve already obtained it mentally. The physical is always more appealing to the people looking at it rather than the people who actually have it.

What would you say are the greatest lessons you’ve learned so far?

I don’t have to do everything alone. In fact, to go alone is to go fast, but to go “with” is to go further — #WittUS. I’ve learned to keep at it with intentions of earning the experience to know what works and what won’t. I’ve learn that there are right ways and wrong ways. Still, both will grant me the experience to know the difference. I’ve learned to partner in every area that I lack ownership in. This positioned me as an influencer to co-sign my collaborative opportunities. Again, I’m forever a student of the game, so I’m always learning. I’ve learned a lot about myself even during this interview. I’m grateful for this platform allowing more people to earn an opinion about me and my music. Thank you, for real.

What’s next for you? Are you working on any upcoming projects that we should be on the lookout for?

All the music for my debut solo project titled, “We The Way,” is complete and set for an early release this year. I’ll follow up with the indefinites surrounding dates and deadlines by February 1. My next single is titled, “Tug-A-War,” and, I’m working the video treatment for that now. Overall, my plan is to engage with serious artists, authors, journalists, bloggers, radio hosts, DJs, influencers, athletes, and entrepreneurs to continue building on what I call, The Way. In-House Everything.

Where can we follow you on social media?

Facebook: www.facebook.com/1neofmaniOnline

IG: www.instagram.com/1neofmani

Twitter: www.twitter.com/1neofmani

Music: https://tinyurl.com/1neSound

Thank you for the great interview!

Love is always Love. Thank you for the look, and I plan on following up with more information surrounding my music moves. Respect.