LMNO

Born James Kelly, rapper LMNO grew up in Long Beach, CA, as part of the surf and skate scene. There was also a thriving underground hip-hop scene in southern California, and soon he was working on making his own demo tapes. His hard work paid off, eventually getting him a verse on "B.F. Sound Check" on Circle of Power's 1993 self-titled album. However, his break came in 1995, when friend Key-Kool and DJ Rhettmatic released Kozmonautz, not only setting the stage for the Visionaries crew, but also giving the young rapper an opportunity to rhyme next to Ras Kass on the song "E=MC5," which put his name out into greater public awareness (it's rumored that when Eminem came to California in 1997 to work with Dr. Dre, he asked what LMNO was about).

In 1998 the Visionaries, comprised of Key-Kool, Rhettmatic, 2Mex, LMNO, Lord Zen, and Dannu, released their debut, Galleries, followed two years later by Sophomore Jinx. LMNO then set about recording the first singles under his own name, and soon "Hit the Fence," "Radiant," and "Grin & Bear It" -- the latter two of which were then included on his 2001 debut, Leave My Name Out (also what his name is an acronym for) -- came out on Battle Axe, and though his rhymes often refer to Jesus and abstaining from meat, LMNO didn't want to label himself either a Christian or vegetarian rapper, preferring to keep himself open to all audiences. In 2004 a new Visionaries album, Pangaea, as well as a second LMNO record, Economic Food Chain Music, were both released on Up Above, followed the next year by P's & Q's and by the Visionaries' We Are the Ones (We've Been Waiting For) in 2006. ~ Marisa Brown, All Music Guide