Exclusive : Omar

Omar

He may be best known for his 1992 hit 'There’s Nothing Like This', but singer Omar has never gone away and since his pop success has been touring worldwide, launched his own label and released six albums. The latest Sing ( if you want it ) (Blunt Music) - including collaborations from the likes of Stevie Wonder,Angie Stone and Estelle - is set to be his biggest yet. And he’s one of the headline acts in the Celebration of Life, 2007 - a show with some of the UK’s top black musicians and performers – part of the Met’s Black Police Association’s campaign to engage with the black community to tackle the issues of gun and drug crime. Loma-Ann Bonner caught up with him.

I’m really looking forward to meeting Omar, not least because his name is synonymous with my college days, but because I’m very interested in his involvement with the Celebration of Life gig.

Lets face it, it doesn’t matter who you are or where you’re from: the issue of gun crime affects everyone, and it ain’t cool or edgy for anyone to get caught on the wrong side of a bullet.

But can black music – much of which is blamed for glamorizing  gang culture and violence -   and can the police ( who don’t exactly have a good history with the black community ) really make any difference to the  fear of muggings and murder that plague many parts of London.
And is black music contributing to the growing problem?

“It’s a Catch 22, chicken or egg. What came first :  people talking about it or the people doing it,” says Omar.
“50 Cent  raps about being shot, he’s got his bling, but he doesn’t  necessarily push someone towards turning to that lifestyle.
But, he reinforces that it may be a good thing to get into.
Music  has to reflect what’s going on in society, and stuff like So Solid and Asha has it’s place, but there’s no discretion.
Look at MTV :  there are girls shaking their booty on there 24 hours.”

When this issue is discussed by politicians, ‘community leaders’ ( am I the only one who wonders where to find them in my own community) and the police they tend to cite a lack of good black role models and absent fathers as the reason for the aggression amongst many black boys and, increasingly, girls.

“ There are lots of reasons why things are kicking off,” reckons Omar, from Canterbury.
“There’s up-bringing, lack of parenting skills and kids not having anywhere to go.
It’s not just the black community, white kids in certain areas are doing the same.
A lot of kids get their release from rapping about stuff.
Now there’s not enough youth clubs and activities : dance, acting and  music are all ways for kids to express themselves.”

And Omar – who plays bass , drums and keys - will soon be able to practice these very parenting skills that he talks about.
When we spoke, his girlfriend was expecting twins the following week.
Having two crying babies will change his own lifestyle  - he’s been to the US five times a year for each of the last five  years - of international touring.
“ When I found out that I was going to be a dad I started writing a whole bunch of new songs, as I know I won’t be able to do as much soon,” he laughs.

But now he has his latest – and first completely independent, with -  album to enjoy.
He’s already a huge success in the States, but does he think that he’s properly recognised here?

“Lots of record stores don’t have my stuff and it used to annoy me, but that’s just the game you play.
If you have a record label that’s willing to get behind you then you’re lucky, but I’ve never had one that could promote my music with  billboards and advertising.
I’ve grown used to it. So I set up my own label and built my own studio.”

It’s the old conundrum : creativity versus money.
“ But I’m  happy with my lot. I’ve  always been underground and I have the  freedom to do what I want with no expectations of album sales.”

And now, of course the internet and a glut of radio stations has made music far more accessible, whereas before the industry was controlled by the A and R men.

“ Now that musicians are less controlled, they’ve developed. Black music here has now got a very distinctive, English sound. It’s like a mixture of Bob Marley and Knees Up Mother Brown!”
Omar and Stevie Wonder singing an old pub song …. now that would appear in your local HMV.

Celebration of Life, 2007, Royal Festival Hall, South Bank Centre, 26th October.
For tickets visit www.southbankcentre.co.uk
The concert is part of Passage of Music,  a season of black music commemorating the 200th Anniversary of the Abolition of the Slave Trade, www.passageofmusic.org.uk

Sing ( if you want it ) available on Itunes, and all good record stores. Also buy from  www.omarmusic.net

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