- Obie One B.A.
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For B.A., see Born again (Christianity).
Obie One B.A. Birth name Obafemii J.O. Hawk Also known as Obie Origin United States Genres Christian hip hop Years active 2006-present Labels One Compass International Website www.obieoneba.com Members Obie One Born Again Obafemii J.O. Hawk (born March 21) is an International Recording Artist, Songwriter, Producer, Actor, Speaker, and Mentor. He is better known by his stage name, Obie One B.A.
Contents
Biography
Obie One B.A. (meaning Born Again) was born in Miami, Florida but raised as a military child across the world. At the age of 12 Obie found himself spending his formative years in Norfolk, VA. It was at Booker T. Washington High School where he won “Most Talented” in his class and the BTW Talent Show with his best friend Markiss. He would later attend Norfolk State University before transferring to Morehouse College, then to Atlanta Metropolitan College, where he completed his degree in Business. It was not until he moved to Atlanta that he found a stronger love for music. Traveling a road that led him through many of life’s challenges, he began to use his music in a spiritual and inspirational way - opening up to share how his life and music have been changed to glorify his Lord and Savior.
With a resume that stretches back years before his Born Again days, Obie has always been an artist with the unique ability to string words together. After receiving his start in secular music as one half of FreekieTwinnz Ent, Obie One B.A., knew there was more for him to do in music. Even though as a FreekieTwinn he sold thousands of independent CDs, won competitions, received radio play, and obtained recognition from major recording label representatives, he realized it was time for a change. After taking a long break and months after releasing an independent album entitled “These Tracks Lead to a Change,” Obie answered the call on his life by rededicating his life and the messages in his music to Jesus Christ in 2006. That same year, Obie released a CD with longtime friend and former FreekieTwinnz member Markiss titled “God is Doing Something, Get With It.” The CD, under the new name Obie & Markiss, gained them recognition in the Christian arena, which led to a TBN taping in Panama City, Florida. Creating a name for himself as a solo artist since 2007, Obie One B.A. uses his musical influence to spark change in the minds of those that have been through struggles, whether a Christian or not.
With a calendar of about 200 events a year, Obie One B.A. performs at a number of venues in the Atlanta, Georgia area, showcasing his talent at places such as Sweet Auburn Spring Fest, Bronner Brothers International Hair Show, T.I.’s Club Crucial, MARTA, Griffin Regional Youth Detention Center, North Point Ministries, and his home church The Love Center, just to name a few. Obie One B.A has been to numerous events internationally and nationally such as performing at Dr. Myles Munroe’s Bahamas Faith Ministries “Youth Alive Empowerment Conference” in Nassau, Bahamas, and TBN/JCTV’s Summer Jam Concert. In July 2011, Obie One B.A. was blessed by HeartforAfrica.org and his brother Chinua Hawk to be on a ten day mission trip to Swaziland, South Africa. While in Africa, Obie had the opportunity to share the love of God, give food & clothes, plant gardens, and performed at “Litsemba” meaning hope concert for the natives.
Obie One B.A. has shared the stage with well-known groups and performers such as Travis Porter, Rich Kids, Jason Champion, Canton Jones, Dorothy Norwood, Damita Haddon, Leon Timbo, and many others. Motivated by his need to make an impact in the music industry, Obie One B.A.’s music breathes messages of hope, love, happiness, peace, and entertainment. Not only is his music positive, but he shares problems, issues, and delves into worldwide struggles. Taking the church to the streets and God to the beats, Obie has a soulful, street, underground, influential, and inspirational vibe throughout his music. In other words, it is real life situations, really meaningful music, and the truth of his testimony through song. Obie One B.A. released his free mixtape CD titled “Barack Obafemii” which received over 95k downloads online and pressed copies. Having his Album Release Party called the “Black & White Affair” at one of the hottest night clubs in Atlanta, The Luckie Lounge, made Obie One B.A. an artist to watch. The highly anticipated album "Real Life, Real Music, It’s My Testimony,” made it to shelves and it is already making an impact. As a recent winner of the Resa Mitchell Gospel Report Awards for Artist of the Year, Obie has also received a number of top nominations, such as Best in Holy Hip Hop at Gospel Choice Awards 2009 & 2010 (top 3 finalist), Best Male Artist at YGEA (Youth Gospel Entertainment & Arts) Awards 2009, and Best Male Rap Artist at Resa Mitchell Report Awards 2009 catapulting Obie One B.A. into the light as one of Atlanta’s premier Artist!
With plans to change the image and message of what the world portrays music to be, Obie One B.A. believes that through staying in and standing on the Lord’s promises, he will be allowed to compete and go just as far – if not farther than – any other hip-hop artist that projects negative images. Sharing a message that is God-given, Obie One B.A. looks forward to being an award-winning, album selling, spiritually motivating, soul saving, and life changing artist.
Awards and achievements
- Nominated for Best Holy Hip Hop Artist for 2010 Gospel Choice Awards (Top 3)
- Won Season Artist of the Year at 2010 Freedom Legacy Awards
- Won Artist of the Year at 2009 Resa Mitchell Gospel Report Awards
- Nominated for Best Holy Hip Hop Artist for 2009 Gospel Choice Awards (Top 3)
- Nominated for Best Male Artist for 2009 Resa Mitchell Gospel Report Awards
- Nominated for Best Best Male Artist for 2009 YGEA Youth Gospel Entertainment & Arts Awards
Discography
Albums
Year Album 2007 God Is Doing Something, Get Wit It - First Christian Studio Album
- Artist Name: Obie & Markiss
2009 Barack Obafemii Mixtape CD - First Christian Mixtape Album
- Released: October 2009
2010 The Showcase 100 Mixtape CD - Starring Obie One B.A./Mixed by DJ Smoke
- Released By: Coast2Coast DJs March 2010
2011 Real Life, Real Music, It's My Testimony - First Solo Studio Album
- Released: July 9, 2011
References
External links
Categories:- Performers of Christian hip hop music
- American gospel singers
- Musicians from Atlanta, Georgia
- 1980 births
- Living people
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