Omari Interview With Every Urban Thing
At only 22 years old, former B2K heartthrob Omarion is finally making his own mark on the world. With music, television, book publishing and movie credits secured tightly under his belt, Omarion comes back with a new and hard hitting album which is sure to rock the shelves on its release. Not only does his new album '21' (where Omarion sings emotionally about love and his life experiences from young adulthood to date) show the maturity and skill the young singer has gained over the years, but also a vast improvement in his lyrical ability.
'Ice Box' was one of the first songs to hit the airwaves giving us a quick glance at Omarion's flair for the use of cadenced poetry and first-hand experiences. The single is an overall, all too real account of heartbreak, missed relationships and moving beyond love's disappointments. While the number twenty-one is symbolic of the card game Black Jack, it also is representative of the number that young people aspire to become and the reflective age that older folks wish they could return to. Before he came to the UK, EUT spoke to Omarion about work, girls and boogies! Look out for our competition giving you the chance to meet Omarion!
EUT: Hey Omarion. How are you?
Omarion: Hey man I'm good thanks, just working. Yourself?
EUT: Not bad thanks. What are you working on at the moment?
Omarion: This interview [He laughs]
EUT: Er.. OK. Where are you now and what's the weather like?
Omarion: I'm in California. The whether is pretty good I guess. It was a bit rainy yesterday so just getting over the gloomy weather.
EUT: Tell us about the new album?
Omarion: The new album? Oh the new album (EUT rolls their eyes) yeah! It's called 21 and I would say it is some of my best material so far put into one. I wrote quite a few of the songs myself and it's mostly about my experiences with love and all. It's a crazy album. I also think this album is very mature in comparison to my earlier stuff as the topics are very relatable to people out there. The album also has a very old school kick to it.
EUT: Would you say it is one of the best ones you have released so far?
Omarion: Definitely! My music has changed a lot.
EUT: What expectations do you have for this album?
Omarion: Well hopefully it is one that will stay around for a while and will get a lot of people talking. I mean it takes most people years to sell records but I'm aiming around the 100,000 mark. I just want the album to maintain its consistency and am trying to appeal to a bigger fan base. Although it's generally for everyone, I would say it is most young adults and kids who listen to my music.
EUT: What was your new year's resolution and have you stuck to it?
Omarion: Yes! One is to stop cursing and I think I have stuck to that pretty well.
EUT: What about fitness or going to the gym?
Omarion: I go to the gym all the time! I don't need to make it a resolution to go!
EUT: Well then could you give us some fitness tips?
Omarion: Eat high on protein and make sure that you always take your vitamins.
EUT: You drink the shakes? Do they work?
Omarion: Oh yeah man they work! But you have to take it well and put yourself on a strict regime. There is no point in taking the shakes if you're just going to work out for half an hour and find that you have actually piled on the pounds. For me, I would work out in the morning and through out the day, around three o'clock, I would take a shake. You need a lot of will power and your hard work will pay off at the end of the day.
EUT: Now I see where I've been going wrong! How does it feel being 21. Found any grey hairs?
Omarion: I'm actually 22 now but I think 21 is the new 18. It was a great time for me and also a fantastic year. I feel as though I am really mature and thinking straight. As for the grey hair, I will call you when I find my first one.
EUT: Cool! So you're legal to drink now, but obviously that hasn't stopped you before?
Omarion: Well actually no, I don't drink. I'm a singer and so I have to take care of my voice.
EUT: So what was it like working with Solange Knowles? I caught her on the 'Ice Box' video and she's looking hot!
Omarion: She is a very good friend of mine and we have a lot of history. I asked her to be in the video and I'm glad she accepted the offer because she looks great.
EUT: What are your plans for this year?
Omarion: Well I'm coming over to the UK in about two weeks. I don't know who is coming with me but I know it's going to be good. We have a lot planned. I am also happy to come over as I will get to see my fans and because we don't come over so often, we try and make every performance as memorable as we can.
EUT: Let's talk about your acting career. You stared in 'You Got Served' next to Marques Houston; do you have any other films in the pipeline?
Omarion: Yes. I am currently working on two films at the moment. The first is a scary film and features both myself and my manager Chris Stokes. What's so funny about this film is that the black guy doesn't get killed!
EUT: No lie! Did you see The House Of Wax movie where the black guy died halfway through the film and wasn't given any lines?
Omarion: Exactly! That's why this film is so different [He laughs]. I also have another film which I am currently working on that Jennifer Lopez is producing. I had a great time filming this particular movie. The film is about a kid who has an ambition of becoming a rap star. He is so destined to make it, that he commits a bad act to get into a rap contest. He then gets involved with a crime boss so then his mother decides to send him away to Puerto Rico where he has to stay with his father who is has never met by the way. Overall I had great fun filming over in Puerto Rico. The weather is much better than it is over here (California).
EUT: Who would you say is the better dancer, you or Chris Brown?
Omarion: Definantly me! Although I have to admit, Chris Brown is a good dancer I just feel that I'm a bit more in season.
EUT: Why weren't you over in the UK for the World Music Awards 2006?
Omarion: I couldn't because I was shooting a film. I wish I did go though, I heard it was big!
EUT: What are your views on the London night scene?
Omarion: I haven't really been exposed to it! There was this one time I went out but it was in Manchester. I'm working all the time and just find myself too tired to go out after a performance. I would rather stay in and rest.
EUT: Which UK artist would you like to work with and why?
Omarion: I would like to work with Fundamental! I think they have a great sound and style and because they dance and perform like myself. So they kind of remind me of myself in a way.
EUT: Have you met any other artists from the UK? What are your views on Dizzee Rascal and Lady Sovereign?
Omarion: Oh yeah! Dizzee Rascal is too dope! I like his music and style. I've heard of Lady Sovereign also. I think she is currently on tour right now. I met her once not so long ago. She is actually quite a cool person but surprisingly small!
EUT: Do you have any funny or embarrassing stories you could tell us?
Omarion: Yes I do! I was performing on tour once and I was on a big projector screen in front of loads of fans. I'm singing, performing and shouting out 'Who wants to be Omarion's girlfriend' but surprisingly the crowd was not reacting to the speech the way I thought they would. I later on found out that I had a huge boggie up my nose.
EUT: Ergh! That must have been terrible. So was everyone pointing at you?
Omarion: Actually they weren't responding.
EUT: Yeah, well that's the kind of reaction I would expect! Anyone you'd like to big up?
Omarion: [He laughs] I want to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported me throughout the years, my fans in the UK, Chris Stokes and of course yourself for this awkward but funny interview.
EUT: You're welcome!