Omari|Biography

Familiar to Reggae fans from his recent hits "Help!" and "Why," Omari has quickly become Gospel Reggae's number-one artist to watch. His Marlin Award-winning debut "Help!", from the album "YOW 4" Street Gospel, has enjoyed the top spot on Tempo and throughout the Caribbean. Praised in the Jamaica Star as "one of the hottest and most inspirational gospel songs in the industry," the song’s depictions of daily life and the difficulties of getting by in difficult economic times serve as inspiration to today's youth.

On winning the award:

"It's a good feeling. I knew the song was doing well in Bahamas and across the Caribbean and I got the chance to see that first hand at a Tempo event shortly after ... I just always try to do songs that are relevant to society and songs that will reach the wider masses; but overall it's a good feeling to be recognised for the hard work." Omari has also been nominated for several Reggae Academy Awards, including Best Solo Male Vocal Gospel Performance.

Drawing influence in his youth from Donnie McClurkin and Babyface, Omari went on to found Rappaz for Christ, one of Jamaica's first Gospel-Rap groups. He has expressed admiration for the daring of Papa San in leaving secular music and pioneering Gospel Reggae, and the hard work and humility of Tarrus Riley even in success.

Still in his twenties, Omari has himself become a model for aspiring Jamaican Gospel singers. Advising a group of students gathered at The Vibes, a sports bar in the Red Stripe complex on Spanish Town Road in Kingston, he agreed with his colleague Kiprich in emphasizing the necessity to stay focused on the work; further, he emphasized that success is something that depends upon the collaboration of many to achieve a single objective. "Stay away from the hype and stay grounded."

Omari's mission:

Omari's motivation comes from his strong sense of social mission. He wants to develop in youth "a greater appreciation for life" as they cope with problems they inherit from previous generations. As a part of his efforts to aid in quelling street violence in the Caribbean, he has gone on bus tours to schools, including to the Bahamas for Tempo’s Badness Outta Style. He is known for speaking out boldly in favour of self-control and abstinence, and calls on parents as well as government and Church leaders to improve current conditions. "We have to go out of the four walls and into society.” Filmed partly in the Cassava Piece neighbourhood of Kingston and featuring deejay Mavado, the "Help!" video displays this mission in action.

He has performed at numerous events including Fun in the Son and the Shaggy and Friends concert in aid of the Bustamente Hospital for Children, and more recently at the Fulfill Your Mandate in 2009 event designed to bring meaning and focus to the lives of Jamaica's street children. His music in collaboration with producer and mentor Dannie Brown and videos in collaboration with Andrew Grey ("Help!") and Kurt Riley ("Why") are the first fruits of his vision, to be further expressed in his forthcoming debut album.

"Wherever he goes, he endeavours to speak life to dead situations and to see the life of Christ come to those who are lost".

Omari represented Jamaica well at Tempo Turns 4, helping to unite the region and solidify the Caribbean identity, building a Badness-free, Caribbean Garden of Eden.