Today we’d like to introduce you to Obie One B.A.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I am Obie Hawk aka Obie One B.A. I was born in Miami, Florida but raised as a military child across the world. My family is from the Bahamas, but at the age of 12, I found myself spending my formative years in Norfolk, VA. It was at Booker T. Washington High School where I won “Most Talented” with Superstar Nicole Wray. The same year I was also winning in the talent shows.
After graduating, I attended Norfolk State University before transferring to Morehouse College. After two years, I transferred to Atlanta Metropolitan College, where I completed a degree in Business. Yes. I wasn’t all the way focused, but moving to Atlanta is where I found a stronger love for music. Traveling a road that led me through many of life’s challenges, I began to use my music in a spiritual/inspirational way. I try to open up to share how my life and music has been changed to talk about my life and glorify my Savior.
I was about 19 years old when I found Love, friendships, and the gift of music. I don’t a have a sad story. My story consist of having a loving family, no record, no drinking/smoking, but a lot of struggles trying to be successful. I’m the midst of that struggle, I sure did struggle with loving on multiple women. During the time where I was living a promiscuous lifestyle, I found a true love in God and developed a better relationship with Him. He moved in me to become something I said I would never be -a Christian Rapper. For the past 15 years, I have enjoyed inspiring, motivating, and influencing people through music. Through my actions, I try to be an example of love & change to inspire our society to show more love and change.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting a business is never a smooth road. Neither is living life right. The road taken to be an independent artist is just as rough as starting a clothing line. When marketing/promoting with your own capital can be a bit challenging when you still have life to live with bills and children. It’s an everyday struggle to figure out ways to get yourself out there outside of word of mouth. I just continue to grind and pray until those floodgates open. I won’t stop until they do because I believe in myself and the gifts that God gave me. Through the years, I have also found out that true success is being blessed with another day to make something amazing happen. My advice to the world is always live your truth. Walk your own path, pursue your goals, never give up and pray.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I am Award-Winning American/Bahamian Christian International Recording Artist and Owner of Clothing line Pray Brand. I have performed at a number of venues in the Atlanta, Georgia area, showcasing at places such as Sweet Auburn Spring Fest, Bronner Brothers International Hair Show, T.I.’s Club Crucial, MARTA, Griffin Regional Youth Detention Center, North Point Ministries, and my home church The Love Center, just to name a few. I have been to numerous events internationally and nationally, such as performing at Dr. Myles Munroe’s Bahamas Faith Ministries “Youth Alive Empowerment Conference” in Nassau, Bahamas, and TBN/JCTV’s Summer Jam Concert. In July 2011, I have traveled with Heart For Africa to Swaziland, South Africa. While in Africa, I had the opportunity to share the love of God, give food, clothes, plant gardens, and performed for the natives. In 2014, The Roman Catholic Diocese of Taichung invited me to the country of Taiwan for a two-week tour, were I performed in 8 concerts in 10 different cities. In 2017, I traveled with Serv International to Kenya, East Africa, to serve people. Which was another amazing place. To further my humanitarian efforts, in 2019, I spearheaded a relief efforts along with my family to the Grand Bahama Islands after Hurricane Dorian.
Traveling the world and inspiring through music over the years led me to understand that the world needs to Pray and be prayed for. Last year during the pandemic I created a clothing line called Pray Brand to be a constant reminder to people that we need to pray. Without even saying a word, I feel the world can change if we all can get this message. No matter who or what your are. I am Obie One B.A. and I am Pray Brand!
I am most proud of being used by God all over the world to inspire people to be B.A. -Born Again and to Pray. The Lord gave everyone a mission and a passion, but what sets me apart is, it will be hard to find someone to compare me too.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Immediate Family, friends, coworkers, and church family are my biggest supporters, cheerleaders, advocates, and fans. Without them believing in me and supporting my endeavors only would make the road that much harder. My son Princeton plays are big role in my life because he is my biggest fan when it comes to my music and clothes. I want to leave a powerful legacy for him and make my parents proud. I have been blessed along this journey with people that motivate, uplift, pray and inspire me to never give up. I am always reminded that this world is big and I have many more people to touch.
Contact Info:
- Email: obieoneba@gmail.com
- Website: www.obieoneba.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/obieoneba
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/obieoneba
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/obieoneba
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/obieoneba
- SoundCloud: www.soundcloud.com/obieoneba
- Other: www.praybrand.com
Image Credits
Photos by VS1ATL & GlobalFlo Photography
