Columbus Underground Artist Only1Check Is Turning Pain Into Purpose Through Music
Only1Check emerged from Columbus, Ohio, with a story that mirrors the emotional depth of his music. An independent rapper in the Midwest underground scene, he’s known not just for his lyrical skills but for the raw truth behind them. Growing up with few safety nets and navigating a turbulent family life, Check turned to music not as a hobby, but as survival. His work blends pain, passion, and purpose, making him one of the most compelling Columbus creatives rising today.
What sets Check apart isn’t just his sound, but the path he took to find it. With no industry backing and no cosigns, he’s built everything from the ground up. His journey reflects the broader energy of Ohio’s underground rap movement: resilient, self-driven, and emotionally honest.
Finding Music Through Loss
Only1Check began writing and recording music at 16, but his serious pursuit of it didn’t begin until tragedy struck. The loss of his close friend Guapo in 2018, to suicide, became the turning point that pushed him to take music seriously. The two had been inseparable, navigating unstable housing situations and leaning on each other for strength. After Guapo’s passing, Check invested all of his earnings into a home recording setup, teaching himself how to make music from scratch. That grief became the anchor of his storytelling.
Living Without a Safety Net
Check’s teenage years were defined by instability—homelessness, family estrangement, and a lack of structure. At 15, he was couch-surfing and struggling to stay in school. His mother was abusive, and he eventually cut ties for his own safety. These experiences shaped not only his perspective, but the urgency in his music. With no fallback plan, music became both therapy and mission. "I just know it’s not gonna be perfect," he says. "But that’s why I keep going."
The Fight Against Depression
Throughout the conversation, Check opens up about mental health. He shares that he’s battled depression, and while suicidal thoughts have crossed his mind, he uses music to stay grounded. The memory of Guapo serves as both a wound and a source of resilience. Every track he opens with Guapo’s name is an act of remembrance and survival. For Check, keeping his friend’s name alive in every song isn’t just tribute—it’s motivation to keep fighting.
Work Ethic and Purpose
By the time of this interview, Check had already released four full projects in a single year. He balances a day job with studio time, using every spare moment to work on music. He views music not as a shortcut to fame, but as a way to document his life and create long-term impact. "I’d rather be monumental than just get a consistent income," he says. His goals are rooted in something bigger than charts or streams: inspiring anyone who feels unseen or unheard.
Basketball as Metaphor
An avid basketball fan, Check often uses the sport as a framework for his worldview. He draws comparisons between his journey and the career of LeBron James—especially the criticism, persistence, and evolution that come with greatness. Basketball is more than a hobby for Check; it’s a philosophy. Just like in the game, he believes in showing up every day, taking the shot, and living with the result. "You probably miss the shot, but at least you took it," he reflects.
Love for the Craft
Check’s love for music is holistic. He listens to everything from Michael Jackson to Lil Yachty, drawing from multiple genres to stay inspired. For him, music isn’t just a creative outlet—it’s family, therapy, motivation, and documentation. It gave him a voice when he had no one to talk to and now fuels his desire to reach others through honest expression. "Music was my brother," he says. "It made me who I am."
To hear the full story, watch Only1Check’s complete interview here
