Artist Profile: 1neofmani
1neofmani (One of Many) is an unorthodox rap artist who's music and #LessWork Lifestyle movement is set out to control the narratives of how local rap artists are viewed and acknowledged in Madison, Wisconsin. Out of the many things 1ne 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.
1) How do you continue to grow as an artist? Is it more of an organic or intentional process...or both?
I continue to grow as an artist by thinking like one—from a problem solving aspect. As a local recording artist, there's plenty of speed bumps along my path. With experience as my greatest teacher, I've learned to never accept the lows, but I also never dismiss them either. As time goes by, you learn all things will pass for better or worse. But creators must locate ways to remain creative. The intentional growth comes from following the words I wrote in my plan. Which is basically to create ways to replace the areas where art has been infiltrated. The digital revolution both help and hurt local recording artists like myself. It hurt us by offering limitless options available at he tip of potential supporters fingers. Which in turn removes the value of being exclusively available. It helps us to set our own price and to operate as entrepreneurs. The organic growth comes from being consistent and available for opportunities that are presented from being consistent within a space.
2) Do any of the following words accurately reflect past (or present) themes explored in your artwork: 'joy,' 'juxtaposition,' or 'justice'?
Yes, I locate joy in my writings as a way to connect with my experiences that have brought joy to my life and career. When I write about my experiences, I can be intentional in explaining how it all led up to my personal outcome. I would say juxtaposition comes into play with me being 'Black in America. On the contrary, this is the home of the free to become all you can. My realities are a bit restricted based on exposure. I do believe one can be all they can be only if they're exposed to early outlets of information and examples. I explore the topic of justice in my writings as America's mirror to remind people of the where we've come—and how far we must be willing to take it in order to fully exonerate ourselves from America's falsified impressions of Black America. I find it difficult to seek justice from those responsible for the unjust circumstances placed upon US. It's that of a maze, or even a matrix, when you really look at the word justice with intentions to hold everyone accountable to it.
3) What are you most excited about in regard to current works in progress, collaborations or new material?
I am most excited to be raising funds to offer local artists and entrepreneurs of color a 24-hour outlet to express their art without concerns of overhead. I plan to offer monthly subscriptions in recording music, recording videos, interviews, custom apparel, co-working space for creatives and social media hosting to assist with generating awareness locally. All this will be available for artists and entrepreneurs to access anytime without the concerns of paying per use. Instead they'll pay every month like a phone bill. As an artist myself, I am aware that overhead can be the lead reason why great artists are never discovered. We have active partnerships with local businesses within the art sector to maximize artists and entrepreneurs experience as well as their local dollars. This is the way; not the wave.
A local artist himself, 1ne saw this as an avenue to create in Madison and titled his solution based company—LessWork Local Lifestyle— along with his business partner Akiya (A-Key-a) "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. Poetry 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.