DESCRIPTION:
From 1994 Album: "Fear Itself".....

Casual's Myspace:
http://www.myspace.com/smashrockwell

Get Casual's Music:
http://www.amazon.com/Casual/e/B000APVDZ6/ref=ntt_mus_gen_pel
&
http://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewArtist?id=5510154


Born in Oakland, California, Joel Owens (Casual) is a member of the influential alternative hip hop collective Hieroglyphics. In addition, he has released five full-length LPs over the span of his twelve year career. Although none of his solo releases have achieved significant commercial success, Owens has garnered a following amongst devoted hip hop fans, partially due to the rise in popularity of Bay Area hip hop.

1994's Fear Itself is of significance to Owens' career. It is his only major label-marketed album and features various members of his crew, Hieroglyphics, on vocals and production. The album also features a prominent cameo from Bay Area rapper Saafir. The album follows a traditional format: its songs adhere to a verse-chorus-verse arrangement, and the up-tempo and slower tracks are contrasted against each other. The popularity of the album's second single, "I Didn't Mean To" exposed Owens to a wider audience. He released three follow-up albums after "Fear Itself", one of which ("He Think He Raw") was distributed by Sony-affiliated distributor Red Urban. Owens is now a community activist. In 2006, he took on a role as Music Production and Media Arts Consultant at Youth Uprising. Jonathan Owens currently holds a seat on the City of Oakland Board of Cultural Affairs. Owens is also CEO of Hiero Jeans.

Extended & updated info here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Casual_(rapper)