Binary Star (band)

Infobox musical artist


Name = Binary Star
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Pontiac, Michigan, United States
Genre = Alternative Hip Hop
Years_active = 1998-2000
Label = Subterraneous
Associated_acts =
URL =
Past_members = One Be Lo
Senim Silla

Binary Star were an alternative hip hop group formed in 1998 that comprised of One Be Lo and Senim Silla. While in prison, One Be Lo met Senim Silla, and the two formed Binary Star during their time in Hiawatha Correctional Facility. [http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=5698 The odd couplet (Metro Times Detroit) ] ] One.Be.Lo took the time to gather extensive amounts of knowledge pertaining to the music industry, such as copyrights, publishing, and how to successfully start a record company. In his own words, he "learned how to hustle legally". [http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=5698 The odd couplet (Metro Times Detroit) ] ]

Their debut effort, "Waterworld" was produced on a $500 budget [ [http://www.subterraneousrecords.com/ww.html Subterraneous Is A Movement ] ] 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", [ [http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/2002_01_watertoo.html various artists :: Waterworld Too * N.W.W.O. :: Subterraneous Records ] ] but garnered far more attention, as the album sold 20,000 copies. [ [http://www.subterraneousrecords.com/motu.html Subterraneous Is A Movement ] ] However, the pair were not getting along particularly well, [http://www.metrotimes.com/editorial/story.asp?id=5698 The odd couplet (Metro Times Detroit) ] ] and, citing creative differences, [http://www.hiphop-elements.com/article/read/6/6448/1/ One.Be.Lo (aka OneManArmy of Binary Star) - “The Birth Of One.Be.Lo” - The Elements ] ] Binary Star was discontinued. They reunited briefly in 2002, doing a concert together at Middlebury College in Middlebury, Vermont, [ [http://www.prophetix.net/2002_11_01_archive.html Prophetix is the Ultimate! Underground Hiphop from the ATL! - Atlanta, GA ] ] 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." [http://www.hiphop-elements.com/article/read/6/6448/1/ One.Be.Lo (aka OneManArmy of Binary Star) - “The Birth Of One.Be.Lo” - The Elements ] ]

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. [ [http://www.mikeschepker.com/blog/2006/01/the-best-hip-hop-albums/ piece of shep | The Best Hip-Hop Albums ] ] [ [http://www.rapreviews.com/archive/1999_10_waterworld.html Binary Star :: Waterworld :: Terrorist Records ] ] In a recent interview with Senim Silla cite web|title=.: Platform8470 - HipHopZine :. Interview Senim Silla: |url=http://www.platform8470.com/artists/ai_senimsilla.asp |publisher=Platform8470 |date=May, 2007] , Silla stated that they are "working on [a new Binary Star project] right now". [cite web|title=NMO discussion |url=http://sleepercell.biz/board/index.php?topic=616.msg2568#msg2568 |author=Senim Silla |date=2007-06-06]

Discography

*"Water World" (1999, Terrorist Records)
*"Masters of the Universe" (2000, Subterraneous Records)

One Be Lo

*"WaterWorld Too" (2001, Subterraneous Records)
*"" (2002, 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)

enim Silla

*"The Name, The Motto, The Outcome" (2007, Infinite Rhythm Network)

References

External links

* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=11:hjfpxqqjldfe~T0 Binary Star] at Allmusic