10.27 (Fri)
Insightful Jamaican artist Omi (Omar Samuel Pasley) is bringing his breakthrough story to the U.S., with the compelling sheen of “Cheerleader,” leading the way. The smash dance song has notched more than 90 million Spotify streams, topping iTunes in 14 territories, including Germany, Australia, Sweden and others (Top 10 in nearly 30 other markets). Released in 2012, a cleverly understated remix by German DJ/Producer Felix Jaehn helped power the global momentum building around the infectious track.
The affable singer/songwriter, who hails from the rural Jamaican parish of Clarendon – ‘a stone’s throw from Kingston’ he says – describes how art and music have always been a part of his DNA: “My father did both. He passed away when I was 9, but imprinted on me the lessons and tools for a lifetime,” he says. “I think it was genetically encrypted. I started writing music when I was 14, always interested in words. The poetry side of the music artist fascinated me.”
omi musician on magazine Others began to notice by the time he entered high school, where Omi and his peers would rap and dance on top of desks during their class breaks. “Everyone knew I had a passion for art, but when they... More Biography
The affable singer/songwriter, who hails from the rural Jamaican parish of Clarendon – ‘a stone’s throw from Kingston’ he says – describes how art and music have always been a part of his DNA: “My father did both. He passed away when I was 9, but imprinted on me the lessons and tools for a lifetime,” he says. “I think it was genetically encrypted. I started writing music when I was 14, always interested in words. The poetry side of the music artist fascinated me.”
omi musician on magazine Others began to notice by the time he entered high school, where Omi and his peers would rap and dance on top of desks during their class breaks. “Everyone knew I had a passion for art, but when they... More Biography