Representing the infamous Long Beach , CA , LMNO, which letters stand for Leave My Name Out, has grown to distinguish himself from all other emcees. Starting with rising star Ras Kass with the Key-Kool and Rhettmatic's single “E=MC5” gained LMNO the world's attention. LMNO is also 1/6 of the Visionaries crew which includes 2Mex (OMD), Writer's Block (Zen and Dannu), Key-Kool, and DJ Rhettmatic (Beat Junkies). LMNO is currently recording his 3rd official studio album P's & Q's to be released on Up Above Records in June of 2005.

Tell me about your upcoming album “P's and Q's” slated for a summer 2005 release?

P's and Q's is the fourth Lp with beautiful production by KeyKool , DJ Khalil of Self Scientific, OHNO, J Thrill and LD of Technicali Sound. It is proudly being released on Up Above Records (upabove.com) with distribution through Caroline.

How did the Visionaries come together?

The Visionaries first recorded together on KeyKool and Rhettmatic's, Kozmonauts Lp on Up Above Records, the song is called Visionaries(don't act scary)... Rhett, Key and I were in a bomb shelter session where Rhett would play beats off the SP or off the turntables. Key and I would be in there rhyming without writing much and I said Visionaries in a rhyme on the spot and it was as if Rhett stop the beat and that was that.

What motivates you to emphasize your political views in your music?

Injustice motivates me to want to inspire that one child to not side with... lets call it Poligious Relitics for the lack of better terms. I feel it is important for us to be aware of the use of religion in politics and visa versa. Let us correct mistakes not create them. GOD is the Supreme Justice, Head of State and Defense Secretary, to type the lest. Give a pencil to an artist he draws with it, give the same pencil to a murderer he kills with it...

How is working with a team like the Visionaries different from working on a solo album if at all?

The main difference is the involvement factor. Being a six member group, each individual has to put in their portion to make it complete. Where as with our individual projects it's up to the persons involved to pull the album together.

Do you feel a more pressure working as a solo artist?

With all the help I get from musical production to label production I am far from a solo artist... all I have to do is write and rap the words given to me, Blessed LOVE.

Most meaningful song to you that you've written? Why?

Honestly I look at it as if it's all one song. At that moment those words were the most meaningful.

Do lyrics inspire you to write or do beats inspire you to write?

The Beat! It all starts with the Beat!

Who was your favorite to collab with to date?

Bless Up : Blak 4est, WildChild, OHNO, Ras Kass, Mean Green, KeyKool and Rhettmatic, Writer's Block, 2MEX, Self Scientific, Rahbu, Mr. Brady, Madlib, Playdough, Tunnel Rats, Beat Junkie Sound, Moka Only, J Thrill, Discreet Merchants, Community Service, LD and Ariano... once I start name dropping I know I'm LeavingManyNamesOut please don't trip.

Who would you like to collab with in the future?

Quincy Jones and Sizzla...

What's in the future for LMNO? Albums, tours, collabo's?

Touring for the P's and Q's album on Up Above Records (upabove.com) working on the next Visionaries album also on Up Above... Supporting the SonGodSuns (2MEX) album released on Up Above. Also Leave My Name Out and B-Boy's in Occupied Mexico is being re-released on Up Above Records. LD and Ariano have an album really worth checking for on EightandDawson Records (ldandariano.com and eightanddawson.com) Other than that I'm steadily in the studio with family making use of this electricity...

Interviewer- Caleb Kinney (Hip Hop For The Soul)