OPE (also known as O*ASIATIC)is a producer/rapper/CEO who has been involved with Hip-Hop culture for a 17 years. When Rap music began to take hold on the minds and hearts of New York City youth, at age 10, this Brooklyn born rug-rat decided to give it a try. By the time he reached age 12, his new passion was break-dancing. Involvement with that aspect of Hip-Hop culture lasted until the age of 14. He then caught "the graffiti bug". This aspect has left the most lasting impression on his life. During His "graf" escapades he had the privilege of meeting artist like the late great , who left such a heart-felt impression on the 14 year old that he still does burners to this day (just not at the psycho public nuisance pace of yesteryear-and not on subways anymore either). His original tag name was OPUS ONE but, most people he surrounded himself with at the time began to call him OPE (pronounced like the word HOPE without the "H"). As time went on he began to like the abbreviated version of his name. His musical background starts with his role as a trumpet player for Walt Whitman Junior High School in the East Flatbush section of Brooklyn. He didn't continue to polish his skills when he graduated but, music would soon have a more prevalent role in his life. The growing credability of Rap music as more than just a fad was too much for "OPE" to stay away from. From age 15 to age 17, he informally began to study music production. His method of informal study was to listen to as much Rap music as he could, paying very close attention to song structures and drum patterns (most of which at the time were very simple). At age 18, OPE began producing demo tapes for friends in his cramped 5 x 8 foot bedroom at his mother's home. In 1994, he became an alumnus of the DOING MUSIC AND NOTHING ELSE (DM&NE) music business seminar taught by Peter C. Knickles. In 1996, he started his own indie label called OPE ENTERTAINMENT.
The first release came in May of the same year. The project was OPE's solo debut titled THEME MUSIC: SOUNDTRACK TO DA STREETS. THEME MUSIC was a 10 song project which paid tribute to the 70's blaxploitation era. In July of 1997, a review in BEAT DOWN magazine's DEMO FILE stated that "OPE is a reflective emcee and talented producer". In 1997, OPE's main focus was creating a serious underground buzz. Two songs he produced in 1997 achieved that goal. The first was a song called SPARRING SESSION from an artist known as SOUTHPAW (later known as BENJAMIN HOOKS). That song was played on one of Brooklyn's local college radio stations for 17 weeks. The other song that he produced in 1997 was a song called I'M ON TA DAT by an artist known as CHRIS DUBBS. That song eventually made it to the mainstream airwaves via HOT 97 in New York City. I'M ON TA DAT was played on the HOT 97 Home Jams Show for an astouding 7 months. Due to such a strong underground buzz, I'M ON TA DAT was released by OPE ENTERTAINMENT in May of 1998. On the B-side was a song titled LIFESTYLES OF THE POOR WIT' A FORTUNE. Both songs capitalized on the buzz that was created in previous months and began to leave the production mark of OPE in the minds of various circles throughout New York city. 1998 began with a strong buzz from another song he produced for an artist named PACK FM. PACK FM's song titled HIT LIST also eventually made it to the airwaves of HOT 97.
In 1999, OPE produced an 8 song EP for Rap Duo BQE (Brooklyn Queens is Enough). He also won the 1st YoMp3Raps HIP HOP QUOTABLE TIGHTEST VERSE competition at MP3.com. His song titled Ready fo'ya Head! gained him the status of FEATURED ARTIST (2 times) and eventually the #1 spot on the East Coast chart at MP3.com. In 2000 OPE began to co-direct videos, starting with the video for PACK FM's "DOC EVIL" and ending the year co-directing a video used to promote the GET SHORTy! CD release. So far for 2001, he currently has an album reviews and feature interviews at RHYMELIFE.com, Hip Hop Hot Spot.com,Impact press, and the song "Ready fo'ya head!" released on the Canadian based Arbitron Records *UNDERGROUND SOUNDS* VOLUME I compilation CD (ONLY AVAILABLE IN CANADA & ON LINE)
Future aspirations include production for film soundtracks (both indie and major studio), and music production for TV shows and commercials. OPE is currently providing beats for PACK FM, and Benjamin Hooks' soon to be released CDs. OPE can be reached by calling (718)636-3161, or e-mailing him at op3nt@aol.com.
Sneak Preview track$ at MP3.com
RHYME LIFE
HIP HOP HOT SPOT
Impact PRESS
