One-i (NEW ALBUM RELEASE DATE 6-24-08)

Born in the early 80s One-i (birth name Joshua Williams) grew accustom to poverty at an early age. Growing up in the south was always rough, although the typical story of being forced to a street life wasnt quite the case with him. Fueled by the gangsta rap music of the early 90s One-i was intrigued by the lifestyle he heard portrayed through the tweeters and 15 woofers of his older brothers cutlass. Over his early teens he became involved with street gangs looking for the same family oriented feelings he was running away from at home. As an escape from life he began writing poetry at the age of 14, and although music was the soundtrack to his struggle he never wrote his first raps until the age of 20.
On vacation visiting his cousin Taylor in Colorado he recorded his first song and never looked back. During his stay in Colorado One-i & Taylor spoke frequently about starting their own company and STS Records was born. After he arrived home he began recording on his own day in and day out. Within less than 2 months of being home One-i completed his first underground release Organized Crime. Upset with the response and his performance he went right back into the studio and recorded his first mixtape Unpolished Diamond (released in Aug. 2002) and hit the streets handing out hundreds of promos. Finally receiving some recognition for what he was doing he knew it wasnt time to stop.
Over the course of the next couple years One-i and Taylor started to build their company signing artists such as Flex, Thug, Diamond, & Hydro. One-i started to work more in the studio learning to engineer while still trying to play his part as an mc on STSs projects. After meeting with several local Louisiana artists STS began performing shows in Baton Rouge opening for acts such as T-Bo, Max Minelli, Lil Witness, Lefty, Sam I Am, Mookie, South Coast Coalition, UNLV, Young Bleed, & MORE.
In August of 2003 One-i & Taylor released their full length LP Till The World Blows, and continued to perform throughout South-east Louisiana. Through all this work One-i was approached by Lil Witness to record and mix his 2nd solo album Real Lifes Not Fake. During this time One-i and Lil Witness started to form a tight bond and after the album was released One-i was given the opportunity to start performing shows with Lil Witness. Over the past two years One-i and Lil Witness have performed all throughout the south opening for regional superstars like Haytsak & Bukshot.
In the summer of 2004 One-i lost one of his closet homeboys in the Iraq war. Finally being reminded that tomorrow isnt promised One-i knew it was his time. Working vigorously over the next few months One-i hooked up with Kentuckys DJ Stitch to release The Machine Vol. 1: A New Day. Quickly following the release of The Machine, One-i & Lil Witness released their highly anticipated release "Give It Up". Although it received great reviews One-i feels this is still one of the most slept on releases from South East Louisiana.
In August of 2005 the gulf coast endured a destructive blow to their economy and way of life, and her name was Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane put a bit of a stall on things for One-i and STS Records. Shortly after things began to get back to some sense of normalcy One-i was approached by local businessman Jeff Booker with a plan to sink some money into STS's super group 50 Shots. With Diamond, Flex, & Thug on board the group has become the main focus of STS Records.
In January 2006 One-i released his second volume of The Machine mixtape series Its Serious which featured . With releases slated back to back for the first quarter of this year One-i finds himself busy as ever. In February STS will release the long overdue 50 Shots mixtape followed quickly by the newest artist on the roster Jayroc. 2006 is gonna be a long year.
In January 2006 One-i released his second volume of The Machine mixtape series Its Serious which featured One-i along side regional superstars T-Bo, Lil Cali, Lil Witness, & B-Rock of South Coast Coalition. Quickly following the release of Vol. 2 One-is group 50 Shots released their highly anticipated debut Ya Better Ask Somebody in February. In July 2006 One-i teamed up with local Baton Rouge artist Zippa to release Plan B: The Hustlin Option.
Right now One-i finds himself as busy as ever. After singing STS Records fifth artist Jayroc in January (Jayroc has already released 2 efforts under STS Records), business at STS Studios picking up, completing his joint mixtape with Lil Cali (set to be released this winter), putting the final touches on the STS Records compilation Who Gon Stop Us, and working on the 50 Shots album his nickname The Machine has taken on a whole new meaning.
One-I has his focus shifted on developing STS records as a whole so his solo carrer often takes a back seat in order to do whats right for STS. Within the next year expect to see 50 Shots & Jayroc rise through the underground ranks to be come forces in the independent game.