It's true there hasn't been a heavy hip-hop buzz coming from Detroit in a long time. Remember that in the 1950s Detroit was the center of Black music because of the Motown legacy. But its popularity slowly died down throughout the years as Detroit fell into the hands of the streets becoming one of the most well known ghettos in America, now in 2006 being the 2nd most violent city in the nation. Now with the rebirth of a new music genre, Hip-Hop comes also the resurgence of rap in the Motor City. And whos leading the way to bring Detroit and hip-hop back to where it once was? Detroit's own, A-One :

Thus, A-One is introduced to the world. As the oldest out of 14 brothers and sisters, A grew up on the westside of Detroit, but moved around frequently...sometimes even had to live in a shelter and later on adopted into a family of 14. His experiences clearly show in his music; His song concepts are original and depict the world just as it is. In fact, his entire style is raw, no gimmicks but offers an appeal that has your ears glued to the speakers. With songs that are conscious, catchy, and lyrically appealing, A-One has emerged as one of the music industry's newest hopes to give rap music real substance. Thus, he has adopted the alias, The Renaissance Man, because of his various life styles and skills. His music is soulful, inspiring, informative, and still contains a raw street appeal for the urban listener and always a few tracks for the club-dance savvy listeners.

In addition to honestly representing a man's view on his life and the world around him, A-One is excited about representing for his hometown, Detroit. As quoted, "Right now, everythings all about the whole Southern movement, so me coming in from the Midwest, well mideast really, I want to represent because I don't think my region has gotten the respect it deserves, because we're full of talent.. It's like a breath of fresh air. Theres no other city in America like Detroit. Its just fly and I love it. Our swagger, the way we dress; everything is so different, which is how I am. You walk up the street and everybody has a different colored mink, the flyest gear, Cartier glasses; everything. We like to floss and be seen, so we dont have to say much, but at the same time we are very outspoken."

Ask A-One what was the rap record that changed his life and he laughs, "All of them. Ive been into music for a long time. Its a part of me. I was raised with hip-hop but at the same time I like almost all genres of music, even country. I love classic rock. The only thing you might not catch me listening to is heavy metal. So you see I love what I do and I have a ear for talent and good music, not to mention my will to satisfy my fans. This is my destiny."

When questioned what he wants people to walk away with after checking him out--- he replies, "A better feel of me. Not to feel me like Im an artist but that Im a regular person, you know, on some real shit. On mix-tapes my moniker was just a young guy like everyone else out here trying to rap. You know how the young guys in there are; all metaphors and punch lines and catch ass hooks and dances and shit. Thats not me no more. Its time to grow up and put some substance in the music, like real issues going on in the world, but still have it sounding great to where you could bang that shit in any situation. I want people to know that Im more than that. I've matured to a new level on consciousness; I'm grinding now and also very serious about what I do. This is the music Ive wanted to make all my life."

Feel good songs and club bangers are certainly part of his arsenal but theres more to The Renaissance Man. A lot of artists keep their art and personal lives separate. I make songs that the whole world is going to love...not just one race or people or something...thats why I rap my life and what Ive seen and at the same time I'm making it relevant to whoever, wherever they are. Rap is therapeutic for me. Whatever Im going through or feeling I put that into a song. It might not be as personal as you'd like it to be, but I dont want to be so dumb down that its just so easy to get it, my music is plain to see but art at the same time. Such is the case with moody cuts like Whats Real or Cold as Ice, which document the changes A-One has undergone since making the move from the crime to grind and to the legal recording industry. "I want to be multi- faceted," A-One says. "I got club songs, I got girl songs. But a lot of my songs are so raw you got to feel them no matter what they're about."

A-One's destiny is now your reality with the coming release of one of the most amped up cds since the death of the late Tupac Shakur. The cd titled, A1pocalypse Now is no frills, hip-hop that doesnt rely on gimmicks and formula to get the job done: just a wicked beat and ingenious flow, and a genius marketing plan.

On his image, A-One comments, I consider my-self to be thugacated. I know thats Papooses thing but hes so on point about it and thats basically my life. I came from nothing and was adopted, disowned at 18 and tried to go to college. I ended up gettin arrested a lot. After that I woke up to the real world and got my shit together. I had to get back in school. At one point in time I was kinda most wanted in the city so it was a hard process. Ive always been a smart kid you know. I used to study so much when I was younger. I wanted to be the smartest man in the world. I wanted to be a genius. When I got disowned by my adopted mom I went back to my thug ways in the streets. So when I got to college I was all about bitches, selling drugs, stealing, and just not on task for school. Now that Ive matured, I study more now than when I was in school. I study and read everyday. My friends laugh when they call or something and i tell them i'm reading or studying. i tell them you dont have to be in school to read or study. That mindset is so ignorant to me. I feel its required for a black man to be as smart as possible cause its not easy for us and the system isnt designed for us to succeed naturally, based on the environments we come from. Thats why Im starting my own movement. My own group who is my family, called, The Immortalz. I feel like Im going to live forever, like Jesus. Im never going to die because I show too much love and Im dedicated on leaving a legacy where others will follow and do the same.

"Its hard when people are depending on you to have an album thats not just good, but inspired," continues A-One. "I mean, my music isnt just music, its medicine. I want my songs to touch people, to give them what they need. Every time I make an album, Im trying to make a cure for cancer, musically. That stresses me out! But at the same time I can go on without the satisfaction of sacrificing something of myself for others using something I feel passionate about."

The worlds getting ready to know A-One...