BONES
Biography
Elmo Kennedy O'Connor, known professionally as BONES, is an American rapper, singer, and songwriter born on January 11, 1994, in Muir Beach, California. His mother was a clothing designer and his father worked in the music business. His maternal grandfather was the actor Robert Culp. At the age of 7, his family moved to Howell, Michigan. O'Connor dropped out of Howell High School at 16 and moved to Los Angeles, where his older brother and current manager, Elliott, was living.
Career
BONES began making music at the age of nine. He started releasing music online in 2010 under the alias "Th@ Kid". After moving to Los Angeles, he connected with other artists he met online, including Xavier Wulf, Chris Travis, and Eddy Baker. In 2012, he officially changed his stage name to BONES. He is the founder of the music collective TeamSESH. BONES is known for his prolificacy, having released over 100 albums, mixtapes, and EPs across several aliases as of 2024. He has consistently rejected offers from major record labels, preferring to remain independent.
Musical Style
BONES is recognized for his pioneering work in the sub-genres of hip-hop known as emo rap and trap metal. His music often features dark, ethereal beats and introspective, emotional lyrics. His style has been described as a mix of cloud rap, experimental hip-hop, and "shadow rap". His vocal delivery ranges from rapping reminiscent of horrorcore to singing that has been compared to grunge and emo. He is considered one of the most influential artists in the underground internet hip-hop scene.
Collaborations and Side Projects
BONES frequently collaborates with artists Xavier Wulf, Chris Travis, and Eddy Baker. Together, they form the collective Seshollowaterboyz. He also has several side projects, including Surrenderdorothy and Oregontrail with producer Greaf, and another persona named Ricky A Go Go. He was featured on A$AP Rocky's 2015 song "Canal St.".
Discography Highlights
Throughout his career, BONES has released numerous projects. Some of his notable mixtapes and albums include "Garbage" (2014), "TeenWitch" (2014), "PaidProgramming2" (2016), and "InLovingMemory" (2021). He is known for releasing music at a frenetic pace, with multiple projects often dropping within the same year.