NamOne’s Bio


Lifelong Philadelphian native NamOne (Iman Jones) was raised on ‘Philly soul’, a style of soul music characterized by funk influences, lush instrumental arrangements, sweeping strings and piercing horns. This sound, affectionately called T.S.O.P. (The Sound of Philadelphia) is the music that defined his youth, and is a foundation for his sense of musicality; however it would be Hip-Hop that would ultimately affect the creative direction of his life. 

In the mid 80’s, one of the first Hip Hop albums that attracted his attention was Run DMC’s ‘Raising Hell’. In that album he discovered a distinct sonic direction in which he uncovered something in himself – a sense of rhythmic poetry, a voice bolder and stronger than he had known.  He began to experiment within the boundaries of his bourgeoning rap style through intensely personal writing sessions; collecting his thoughts into clever phrases and witty lines, they had no particular structure or specific goal in mind, but this is where and how the foundation of his unique style began to develop. 

During his high school years, NamOne honed his rapping skills and unorthodox style. He continued to build and develop his lyrical craft through the mid nineties, all the way through college (he graduated from Temple University with a degree in communications), attended and competed in hundreds of basement freestyle sessions and battles, respectively. NamOne united a select crew of his talented peers and created I.O.S. (Image Of Sound), an acronym that has changed its names over the years but still stands strong.  

Today NamOne is an independent rapper who has yet to write the twists,  turns or the final act of his future, but the opening salvo to his rap career, ‘Sleepless Pills For Independence’(publishing information), marks his entry into the world of ‘post-bling’ Hip Hop in a bold manner. His flow and confident delivery are evidence of a seasoned rapper on the verge of a larger market, and he represents the musical legacy of his city, both in Soul and in Hip Hop, proudly.  


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