O-SOLO

Having made a name for himself as top-notch battle emcee in the competitive rap music trenches of Newark, New Jersey, 23 year-old O-Solo is no newcomer to the industry. The artist has performed on MTV's Direct EFX and BET's 106th and Park. His rich but raspy baritone, irresistible charm and irrepressible wit has producers such as Eddie F & Darren Lighty (Madonna, Jodeci), Grammy Award winner Rockwilder and Cool and Dre (Fat Joe, Ja Rule) lining up to put him in the booth. The results are intoxicating for rap fans. He easily pairs East Coast lyricism with southern-fried flow on "What About the Car," a bounce-driven club banger and sly send-up of sex and materialism. One of his strongest songs, "I Believe in GOD," draws upon his two major influences: the church, where he first embraced the soulfulness of gospel, and the streets, where he learned to struggle.