YOUNG ARTIST OVERCOMES MULTIPLE DISABILITIES, RELEASES OUTSTANDING DEBUT LP
Hip-Hop music's newest rising star Antonio Rosario, better known as Orikal Uno, will release his debut
album "Uno" on November 1st 2011 This talented artist has a unique and compelling story, one which
would almost defy logic in his chosen form of expression, yet inspire many to chase their own dream.
For most of his life since age 3, this young talent has struggled with a debilitating stutter that affected his
daily life, in school, socially, academically, and professionally. To this day there is rarely a conversation
that this encumbrance is not somewhat prevalent, however to his delight Orikal Uno has found that when
the music begins, words can flow freely out of him with ease, often times at a rapid fire pace without
missing a beat. Overcoming this impediment through hip-hop has brought a dream to reality. At only 22
years old, Orikal Uno is still a fresh face in the thriving Minnesota music scene. He has established a
following based on more than 6 years of mix tapes, side projects and collaborations with artists like Mac
Lethal, Prof, Sab the Artist a.k.a Musab, Abstract Rude, Dispute One and many others. Born in and
raised on the west side of Saint Paul, MN, Orikal Uno calls on his working class upbringing, his Puerto
Rican heritage, his complicated relationships both with music and women, and his penchant for a good
time to bring together a debut album rich with solid songwriting and enthusiastic delivery.
While in the midst of pursuing his lifelong dream, another devastating blow was handed to this dedicated
performer. In April of 2008, just a few months before beginning production and writing on his debut LP
Orikal Uno was rushed to the hospital with severe symptoms of dry mouth, and other physical ailments.
The diagnosis was an acute case of Type I diabetes, requiring a major shift in his day to day life. Now
between juggling a regular job and following his dream of music, Orikal Uno has to count carbs of every
meal and inject himself with the appropriate amount of insulin for each meal and take one more injection
every night. The daily struggle of managing a life with diabetes became a major theme in the writing
process for the album that would bear his signature simply titled "Uno"
The album's tracks were produced and composed entirely by the production skills of veteran songwriter
and music producer Anonimust, formerly known as Jayechs, of the groundbreaking hip-hop group
S.U.S.P.E.C.T.S. Anonimust describes Orikal Uno as "a sincerely gifted song-writer with a voice ready
for the next generation of hip hop fans - full of soul, passion and angst" Working to create an instant
classic, Orikal Uno and Anonimust called on collaborators Golden (also formerly of S.U.S.P.E.C.T.S) at
Goodlook Studios and veteran engineer Joe Mabbot at The Hideaway Studios to take their creation to
the next level. Thanks to a team effort that spanned 3 years of writing, recording, mixing and mastering
Orikal Uno was able to see through his vision of creating songs are truly timely and also timeless classics
of lyric and melody. The album features a few guest appearances from fellow Puerto Rican hip-hop artist
longtime friend and associate Maria Isa, as well as tracks with JL Magee and Anonimust on vocals. The
album ranges from the synth-pop influenced lead single, "2012 (Party like it's)" which, to the blues-
infused heartbreaker "You're Sure Not Ready" all the way to the salsa-driven "Bacardi Island" with
Maria Isa. Orikal Uno re-defines the creative limits of what was once known as underground hip-hop.
Orikal Uno has been steadily servicing the online community and Twin Cities with a slew of mixtapes
and material over the last years in preparation for his first studio album including "Organized Grind
Vol. 1" "Sota Rico (Maria Isa & Orikal Uno) - Then and Now vol. 1 " and his most recent "+1 (with
Mac Lethal, Musab, and Prof)" His self-directed single and video "Lonesome Road' (produced by C.
Goody) also got him some well-deserved buzz on YouTube. With each effort churning out street anthems
and testimonials of his show-stopping sets making their rounds increased his status and demand for
bookings in cities across the Metro. Meanwhile Orikal Uno is building a multimedia company, Graff Roots
Media, taking a hip-hop inspired flavor to graphic design, fashion, video, and art. He is also preparing to
tour in support of his friend and fellow artist Sinycal's debut "The Severance Package" while showing the
rest of the country what the Twin Cities has come to know and love about this hardworking upstart.
For more information, please contact:
ANTONIO ROSARIO/ GRAFF ROOTS MEDIA
Orikal@Gmail.com
