At 1,000 years old, AWOL One is still shaking the grounds of hip-hop.
Bursting on the scene from Planet Zero, California, Awolrus’ style has taken him through the murky waters of hip-hop. In 1988, AWOL took off on his b-boy journeys influenced by KDAY and breakdance music. Soon after, vinyl became no stranger and the art of DJing lived in his knuckles. AWOL found himself DJing in underground parties, eventually moved up to night clubs, and then “Lowrider Magazine” American Tour for Thump Records in 1995 opening for Roger and ZAPP. Another aspect of AWOL’s art is graffiti — and even with unjust laws striking him in 1991 — he still paints and does graphic design.
A world that was thought to protect sometimes left AWOL in the cold. But taking control of his melodic rap style patterns have drawn him into the ears of audiences worldwide. Scores of West Coast producers have shown interest in the quiet aura of this emcee. Out of the light he has intertwined with DJ/producers Daddy Kev, Fat Jack, J.D., DJ Choc (Beat Junkies/power 106), Lighter Shade Of Brown, DJ Drez, Hive, OmiD, Jizzm, Mike Nardone (KXLU), Mums The Word, DJ Moves (Len), Truly ODd of Power 106’s Friday Night Flavas, and Evidence of Dilated Peoples just to name a few.
Meanwhile, AWOL One and his distinctive vocal stylings have captivated audiences worldwide. Whether performing solo or rocking stadiums with The Shapeshifters, an AWOL One show is guaranteed to be a life-altering experience.
Along his journey, AWOL has performed alongside the likes of Common, 2 Live Crew, Eminem, De La Soul, Beat Junkies, Funkdoobiest, Jurassic 5, Del The Funky Homosapien, Hieroglyphics, Aceyalone, Tha Liks, Dilated Peoples, Living Legends, Mix Master Mike, Abstract Rude, Kool Keith, Cypress Hill, Afrika Bambaataa, Swollen Members, Visionaries, the Breeders, Atmosphere, Sage Francis, Fishbone, Los Lobos, Lyrics Born and many many more.
AWOL’s music has been featured on MTV Road Rules, The Source Sound Lab, and magazines such as URB, Spin, XLR8R, Slap, Thrasher, Vice, Life Sucks Die, Mean Street, Big Time, Revolver, RapPages, L.A. Weekly, O.C Weekly and was winner of 2002 LA Weekly Music Award and many more!
AWOL is also affiliated with L.A.’s Mass Men (Project Blowed) as well as The Shape Shifters and is currently getting major college, commercial mix show and XM Radio play all around the U.S. and Canada and has charted on CMJ countless times.