Quick Facts
Biography
Orion "OP1" Yizhak (born July 19) is an international artist, record producer, activist, songwriter & entrepreneur, born in San Francisco, California. He first garnered recognition as the lead rapper for the Portland Trail Blazers official NBA anthem which aired every game across the state of Oregon and Washington for the teams 40th anniversary. He later gained massive respect & recognition in the global HipHop community when legend hall of famer, the GOAT Rakim, appeared on his video single "Walk" with the God MC's arguably most memorable 16 bar verse to date.
Orion Peace is credited with playing a prominent role in putting Afrobeat music on the worldwide map. After signing Africa's most prolific hit maker, Fliptyce (producer of Chop My Money w/ Akon/P-Square) to his very own True Shine Entertainment, Orion introduced him to Dr. Dre, spearheading a collaboration that made worldwide headlines and was notably the #1 most anticipated collaboration announcement in the African music industry. Mr Peace, also released the first Afrobeat HipHop collaboration record "Rise Again" with the prince of AfroBeat, the legendary Fela Kuti's son Seun Kuti. The release of this track marked the creation of a new genre known as AfroHop and made headlines across the African music industry.
Early years
Orion Peace was born in San Francisco to an international family. After moving to Zurich, Switzerland, for a number of years he moved back to Berkeley, California, where he grew up. Orion has pledged his life to inspiring consciousness & bridging the divide between Africa & the Western world through the most universal language known to man; music. Birthed to a multicultural family, Orion identifies with both his middle eastern/North African Israelite family on his mothers side as well as his Argentinian born, Swiss raised father. He also carries the title Omo Kabiyesi or Omoba in Yoruba (Nigerian) meaning "Prince" following his nationally acknowledged induction into the royal tribe in Nigeria.
Orion's entry into the royal family of Yoruba land was acknowledged by a council of Kings at the palace in Ekiti state Nigeria, where Orion was written into the oracle. Yoruba empire and this occurrence further reinforced Orion's path to being a light to the world.
Musical achievements
Working on projects, collaborations and media campaigns with notable artists such as Snoop Lion, Seun Kuti, Stephen Marley, Nneka, the legendary G.O.A.T of Hip-Hop Rakim, Rocky Dawuni, Killah Priest of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan, Philly's platinum artist Cassidy, the Grammy nominated Jon B. & Reality Star/actress/songstress Teairra Mari, to name a few, the mission to inspire consciousness through music is at the core of the movement of True Shine. Multiple collaborations with some of the worlds most respected artists as well as being the face of Portland hip-hop after featuring as the lead rapper for the televised official Portland Trail Blazers NBA Anthem for their 40th anniversary are but a few of the many endeavors this young visionary accomplished in the span of a few years.
His mission in Nigeria, Africa got him working with many notable artists & producers, from Fliptyce, producer of Africa's most popular hit of this century Chop My Money which featured P-Square & Akon &many other great artists in an effort to popularize Afrobeat & Afropop in the Western markets. A number of the greatest pioneers of musical consciousness are aware of this young visionary & support his platform whole heartedly.
Discography
| Year | Album/Song | Artist | Credit | Label |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Walk | Rakim & OP1 | Music Producer & songwriter | True Shine Entertainment |
| Back It Up | OP1 & Cassidy | Vocal Producer & singer | True Shine Entertainment | |
| 2014 | Drop It Low | OP1 & Fliptyce | Vocal Producer & singer | True Shine Entertainment |
| Rise Again | OP1 & Seun Kuti | Vocal Producer & singer | True Shine Entertainment |
True Shine Entertainment
True Shine LLC, founded by Orion Peace, is an entertainment company with a mission to bridge the African, European & US Markets through a universal brand of music & concert series known as the Freedom Music Tours. True Shine also developed a magazine which has gained national distribution in the US & a record label with Artists such as 11-year-old Da Future, an artists who gained exposure at 7 years old performing alongside such acts as Slick Rick, Stevie Wonder, Cece Winans & creating an inspirational song for Obama's re- election which released a video titled "I can be the President". Expanding upon the mission of Fela Kuti & Bob Marley, OP1 has the gift of hip-hop, Afrobeat & Reggae along with the talent to sing & rap in 5 languages. True Shine recently registered in Nigeria forming True Shine Nigeria and is positioned to act as a launching pad for Nigerian artists who desire to carry their talents into the Western markets. Working in conjunction with an US & African distribution channel. Close allies such as Jton Productions are on a similar mission utilizing the momentum of groups such as P-Square & D'Banj to open the door for other talent from the continent of Africa Orion was recently awarded the Black History Legacy Award along with close colleagues in Portland, Oregon where he is an active proponent of proliferating positive messages in the community.
Philanthropy achievements
Dignitaries such as the Yoruba Kabiyesi, & Palestinian author/activist Izzeldin Abuelaish support his cause for unity & the spreading of light. Aliko Dangote, the worlds wealthiest African, recently visited his family in babcock university Nigeria to donate towards the school in an effort to support education in Nigeria. It is through a well planned adjoining of minds in Africa that we will build the strength to carry the message of freedom, peace, unity & love that is overdue.
- Founded & runs Youth Empowerment Program
- True Shine with Gwec, sponsored by the Cannon Network (run by Nick Cannon's father James)
- Teaches underprivileged youth life skills with a focus on music production, audio engineering & the entertainment business.
- Co-founder/president of the healing network (non-profit with focus on nutrition)
- Teens teaching tobacco prevention(high school)
- Former Vice President/co-founder of Juneteenth Oregon.
- Current president Juneteenth San Diego
- Champion & active leg of sickle cell warriors (#1 sickle cell education/support group in the world)