While other groups ride the bandwagon or just try to get paid, O.U.O. has a deep rooted love for the culture and vow to create intelligent and righteous hip-hop. The name O.U.O is an acronym with many positive and confident meanings. For years, they have been rocking shows and releasing singles.

In 2005, O.U.O. finally released their debut album “Of Unknown Origin” on Domination Recordings. Production is handled by Kev Strange, Misterdew, H-Peh, and Cadence of Raw Produce. While most albums are littered with useless celebrity guest appearances, all of the guests on ‘Of Unknown Origin’ are only known in small circles within the underground culture. Even though they could not afford big names, the LP shines bright with the chemistry, soulfulness, and true spirit.

On a cool spring day in 2005, I had an insightful conversation with Dumi Right, ˝ of O.U.O. Dumi Right is the Director of Operations of pH Music and Co-Founder of The Hip-Hop Restoration Council. As a group, O.U.O. is helping to elevate the underground and independent hip-hop scene. Without gimmicks or glitz, they take a cue from the A Tribe Called Quest’s stripped down approach to hip-hop. Their music consists of just beats, rhymes, and life. Even though they are heavily influenced by hip-hop from both the U.K. and the U.S., their music is for today. Underground and original, O.U.O. are officially lovers and contributors of hip-hop.

MVRemix: What goes on?

Dumi: Man, I’m just mad excited to finally drop the O.U.O record. It’s been a long time coming.

MVRemix: The debut O.U.O album, ‘Of Unknown Origin’ was finally released. Tell us about the album.

Dumi: My cousin Pep and I put our heads together to come up with O.U.O but it actually goes back years and years. I recorded my first rhyme in a studio with him many, many moons ago. He had been doing his thing for a while and I had been writing but hadn't performed or recorded much, if at all. Now, understand that I'm taking you back to like 1988. This was all in Zimbabwe. One day, I was at Pep's crib and he throws on a beat tape and says, ‘Let’s write a song’.

MVRemix: Do you have a favorite song on the album?

Dumi: My favorites change but I'm really liking ‘Outstanding’. That hook is pretty crazy. Cadence, from Raw Produce, did the beat and it’s real energetic. It is a good introduction to what the group is about.

MVRemix: How did you hook up with Domination Recordings?

Dumi: Actually, it was through two mutual friends, Peter Agoston from Female Fun Records and Cadence. I told them that I was shopping for a deal and they mentioned DJ Fisher. So, we started building on it. When DJ started up Domination, we struck a deal and got together to put out the record.

MVRemix: When you approach a song, do you have pre-written lyrics and themes or do you listen to the beat and write from the beat?

Dumi: I'd say more often than not, we have a beat. Then, we vibe with it and come up with a concept. From there, we develop the hook and the rhymes. Sometimes though, we'll have some rhymes written and get with someone to cook up a track to match.

MVRemix: How did you get the name O.U.O. and what are the many meanings?

Dumi: Well, we've grown up all over the place N.Y., Zimbabwe, New Jersey, Virginia. Wherever we are, people ask ‘Where are you from?’ Also, our style is not your typical run of the mill that you see or hear everyday. The abbreviation stands for ‘Of Unknown Origin’. It also means ‘Official Underground Original’.

MVRemix: Which emcees or artists would you like to work with in the future?

Dumi: I'm dying to do something with Jean Grae or Masta Ace. Ace is one of my favorites of all time.

MVRemix: Which producers would you like to work with in the future?

Dumi: I have to say DJ Premier, without question. Actually, add Prince Paul to that too. He's got that unorthodox methodology.

MVRemix: How would you describe the music of O.U.O?

Dumi: I think it’s like complex, thought provoking rhymes intertwined with rugged, yet melodic beats and rhythms. The lyrics are critical. To quote The Pharcyde, I ‘Gotta kick something that means something.’ Another important factor is the fact that Pep and I trade rhymes back and forth, like crews from the golden age. EPMD, Run DMC.

MVRemix: What have you been listening to recently?

Dumi: I've been listening to a lot of The Roots. They are my all time favorite. ‘Illadelph Halflife’! Sean Price. Going through the archives, there is Gangstarr, Tribe, Krs-One.

MVRemix: What was the last incident of racism you experienced?

Dumi: Aw man, there are so many things. Much of it is subliminal. It could be when I got fronted on at the mall in a department store because I guess they didn't think I had money. It could be when I was buying a new car, and salespeople would not give me the time of day.

MVRemix: Where were you on the September 11th terrorist attack? How did you deal with it and how do you think it has affected hip-hop?

Dumi: I was at work and they have TVs in the break room. We were watching like, ‘Whoa!’ It was crazy because it affected such a diverse cross section of people. It didn't matter what your beliefs were if you were there. It definitely messed up the current political environment in the U.S because I feel it limited people's ability to dissent on issues. If you felt different, than this whole anti-patriotic backlash was used against you. I don't mean I felt different about September 11th. I was mad as hell at the indiscriminate killing and loss of innocent life. The powers that be expected us all to sing with one voice. At the same time, in hip-hop circles, it seemed to me like heads were cautious about condemning the attack because they didn't want to appear to be in bed with the Bush regime. To me, those are mutually exclusive. I think hip-hop was kind of split because people didn't want to necessarily look like they were flag wavers for hip-hop fans. The truth is, the attack was a terrible thing for humanity, no matter how you slice it. September 11th was wrong but that didn't make George Bush right and that didn't justify measures like the Patriot Act.

MVRemix: What are some other political issues you feel strongly about?”

Dumi: I think it’s so hypocritical how we preach democracy but do not do a damn thing for years when Zimbabwe, South Africa, and all of those countries were fighting for freedom. In fact, it was the opposite. They supported the regimes that were in power. I think it is a travesty at what some of the things they spend money on while they are cutting school budgets and after-school programs at the same time.

MVRemix: Describe growing up in Zimbabwe?

Dumi: Since we were in the city, it was similar in a lot of ways. A big thing is the stuff people here take for granted isn't always readily available over there. The schools are all under the British style, so we had to rock uniforms and ties. I lived there from 1980 to 1990. I left when I came to the U.S to go to college.