About Me
BIOGRAPHYOL MAN FUNK, known to some as O.M.F. or simply FUNK born Harlee M. Ballard is as authentic as they come. A blend of spirituality from his mother, scholastic and street knowledge from his two older brothers and militant teachings from his Vietnam Veteran father has made O.M.F who and what he is a Souljah, and these elements are prevalent in his music and everything else he does.
Raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, N, Y. in a single parent household, the youngest of his mothers three sons, FUNK grew into an OL MAN quickly. The vicarious experiences of his two older brothers coupled with his own daily struggles in school, the streets and at home made FUNK wise beyond his years. Even though as a youngster he liked to draw, play sports, chess and read, FUNK always loved music. The love of music combined with the famous junior high pass time The Dozens and a natural knack for flowing off the top of his head, FUNK began to freestyle songs in class about yo momma and if you had jokes your momma was put in a song next.
As FUNK came of age he began to hang out with the older cats more often, witnessing and participating in his share of street activities. The freestyles were no longer about yo momma, he would just rap off the top of his head about the daily activities around his neighborhood. Not before long, word got around the ave (Utica avenue in Crown Heights Brooklyn) that shorty is nice off the dome people began to ask him whats your name. At that time he went by a different name almost every week because none of the names he thought of could fit him. Not knowing that the name OL MAN FUNK given to him when he was 9 years old by his older brothers partner in crime, for wearing a stink shirt straight out the dirty clothes hamper would stick with him for life. MCs from every where was popping up on the block looking for him because they heard how sick he was off the dome. As he quotes I was sending hood legends back to the lab in disgrace with freestyles that wasnt even recorded with pen and paper, Dudes was coming back for rematches, along with their peoples and I would serve them all with ease, no lie. Still with no official street name FUNK continued his daily routine, until one day somebody asked whats your name shorty, before he could say anything one of the OGs on the block said man, that OL MAN FUNK and O.M.F was officially born. The name he dreaded hearing as a youngster has now become the embodiment of his artistic integrity. With a very gritty voice, energetic delivery accompanied with street conscious lyrics what other name could be better for him.
FUNK had never written an official rhyme until he entered high school. When students were writing noted he was writing rhymes. High school was where he discovered that his ability to put words together on paper or out of thin air was a God given talent. I was serving MCs in school everyday without fail, until it came a point that when I stepped in to a cypher other rappers would just listen.
As the years passed, FUNK got better and began to record demos and perform at open mics and showcases with many other local MCs. Although he was still participating in some illegal activities he stayed true to becoming the best MC he could be. FUNK had gotten so good as a rapper and performer over the years he began to take the talent to granted until a series of eye opening events took place.
On February 22, 2002, ON HIS BLOCK IN Crown Heights Brooklyn, OL MAN FUNK was shot three times, once in the face, back and in the side, where the bullet exited through his throat. Doctors told him due to a paralyzed vocal cord his voice would never return to its full strength and would never be able to project his voice any louder than a whisper. Luckily the doctors were wrong because about six months later O.M.Fs voice returned to normal, allowing him to go back to the booth, minus a vocal chord but this time with a purpose. Funk says When I got shot up, I took my medicine like a soldier, I kept my lips zipped went through like four surgeries, he continues But when the doctor told me Ill never be able to speak at a normal level again, I cried like a baby. Funk felt like his whole purpose fro living had been taken away. When his voice returned he promised himself and God that before he dies the world will hear him speak.
In October of 2003 FUNK released his first project a mix tape entitled, The Worst of O.M.F vol.1 with a subtitle: The Best is yet to come, which generated a very good local buzz and encouraged him to continue grinding. In December of 2004 he released his second independent mix tape entitled, The Worst of O.M.F. aka Jackie Robinson vol. 2, which did even better than the previous volume. This most current mix tape has opened ears upstate New York and in a few southern states such as North Carolina and Virginia. His consistent work ethic has granted O.M.F the opportunity to open shows for Remy Ma of the Terror Squad, Chico DeBarge of the DeBarge family and Ghetto Boys front man Scarface.
Now FUNK has his goals set on reaching even more people across the country with his souljah music through new methods such as the internet, out the trunk distribution and promotion, mom and pop stores, open mics, showcases and promotional road trips. FUNK states, I will stay busy and active as long as I can and I make this promise to the public that the best is still yet to come...
