Shadowy figures emerge from the subterranean depths of the hip-hop underground. No glitz, no glamor, no gimmicks - strictly catchy beats, rhymes and hooks. You can't escape the infectious tracks, and you can't front on the lyrical skills of this dynamic clique, delivered over a crisp and bottom heavy soundscape. These cats have honed their skills through relentless practice, performance and flawless execution.

Dumi Right (of Zimbabwe Legit) and Pep are O.U.O. (Of Unknown Origin), a pair of emcees who trace their lineage all the way back to Zimbabwe, where the two cousins first began breaking and popping, before developing the rhyming skills that would carry them across oceans. Growing up, they drew on influences from the US and the UK, learning lessons from tapes of radio shows by the likes of Mr. Magic, Red Alert, Chuck Chillout and the UK's Tim Westwood; always dreaming of the day when they would play a role in the development of the music they loved. Now their music resonates from their current base in the DC Metro area through Virginia, Maryland, Philly and out to the rest of the world, where O.U.O is developing a reputation for kicking dope rhymes over hot tracks, and ripping down stages wherever they perform.

The long journey of O.U.O has culminated with the release of their album Of Unknown Origin in 2005 on Dumi's own pH Music label. The multi-faceted album is carefully woven together with a constant thread of ill lyrics and solid beats which permeate the entire record. Listeners are taken on a voyage through the highs of uptempo grooves like "For the Love" and "Pushin' Pens," and then the captivating grind of tracks like "Trapped" and "Came Too Far," which speak to the mind and soul, and paint poignant pictures of struggle and perseverance. Of Unknown Origin is an essay on life, love and the essence of hip-hop, with a variety of soundscapes and subjects that are sure to grab the ears of discerning listeners.

User-contributed text is available under the Creative Commons By-SA License and may also be available under the GNU FDL.