The-O is the professional name of emerging independent rapper, singer, songwriter, and producer, William Rucker. A native of Nashville, Tennessee, the veteran hip-hop artist has been on the mic for 20 years. Formerly of the group ODM, he went solo in 2021 with the single “Cigarette Light”.
The genre-bending creator mixes elements of soul, r&b and pop into his eclectic sound. The-O cites a diverse list of legendary artists as his inspiration, from Kanye to Mos Def David Bowie. He spins these seemingly disparate influences into his own brand of downbeat lyrical hip-hop and neo-soul. Since his debut, the prolific producer has released an impressive volume of work including seven singles and two full-length albums.
“I’m Up There” is the brand new single from The-O, scheduled to be released worldwide via all major streaming services on March 31, 2023. The track is built on elements of trap, soul and jazz. A classic r&b sample rides a downtempo hip-hop groove. On the mic, The-O drops a verbose lyrical freestyle that explores the themes of success and ambition. Featured vocalists Quai and Poetic Justis offer smooth soulful verses to create a powerful and emotive experience.Â
Check out The-O’s music below. You can also hear his track “Fame” on the Deep Indie Beat playlist. Follow the links at the end of this article to connect with the artist. Get on his socials and get ready for “I’m Up There”, single and video dropping everywhere on March 31, 2022.