Artist Spotlight: Interview with Omari Banks
Omari Banks is the son of the legendary Bankie Banks, who brought him on stage to perform for the first time at a young age. Since then, Omari has made a name for himself in his own right. In 2015, his “Move On” album ranked at #4 on the Top Ten Reggae Albums in the prestigious German Riddim Magazine, in the Spring of 2016, he was featured in Caribbean Beat Magazine (the in-flight magazine of Caribbean Airlines), and he recently finished a successful sold out European Tour alongside Grammy Award winners Morgan Heritage. The former cricket player is a rising star; his "No Point To Prove" video -featuring cameo appearances by Jamaican and West Indies cricket players like Wavell Hinds, Carlton Baugh Jr, Tamar Lambert and Dave Bernaud Jr, producer ZJ Sparks, as well Reggae stars Gramps Morgan and Cecile- was on rotation on VH1 and became very popular. In the follow up to our 2015 interview, Banks reveals he produced the video and much more. He is super multitalented artist and creator who stands in no one’s shadow, who is certainly on his way to top! (Read the 2015 Interview) |
You are a proud Anguillan. In what ways have you promoted Anguilla?
I love my island very much and I’ve always sought to give it recognition. When I speak and when I played cricket, I was always excited to tell folks about my island. Now that I am in music I get to meet tourist who come to the island. They are eager to hear me play. I see it as my obligation to continue to spread the good word about Anguilla. I’ve traveled overseas as well promoting Anguilla through events, it is always a honor. Do you still find time to play cricket? I actually don't play cricket at all now, every now and then and then I get the itch to pick up a bat and ball, but then I go straight for my Guitar :-) How did you first link with Morgan Heritage? I met Gramps and Jemere Morgan whilst they were performing along side my Dad at the Moonsplash Music Festival and we became cool friends, then I did a show in Sxm with Morgan Heritage and started to work with someone associated with their team. I have a huge deal of Respect for the entire Heritage Family. |
How amazing was it to be a part of the Morgan Heritage Strictly Roots Tour in Europe?
It was a great experience traveling and touring with Heritage, I learned a lot in a short time, and the crew was super cool. Big up the whole Heritage Family!
You do quite a bit of traveling. Where is your favorite place to travel so far?
I’m not sure if I have a favorite place to travel but it’s always great to see different places and experience different cultures, this is very exciting. Every place has its unique element.
The "No Point To Prove" video was on rotation on VH1, where are some others places you are looking forward to seeing the video play?
Well I look forward to getting my music all over the world and really spread the message. My intention is to have my music everywhere in the world that loves reggae music and needs the message of love, equal rights and justice.
It was a great experience traveling and touring with Heritage, I learned a lot in a short time, and the crew was super cool. Big up the whole Heritage Family!
You do quite a bit of traveling. Where is your favorite place to travel so far?
I’m not sure if I have a favorite place to travel but it’s always great to see different places and experience different cultures, this is very exciting. Every place has its unique element.
The "No Point To Prove" video was on rotation on VH1, where are some others places you are looking forward to seeing the video play?
Well I look forward to getting my music all over the world and really spread the message. My intention is to have my music everywhere in the world that loves reggae music and needs the message of love, equal rights and justice.
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Who produced and directed the "No Point To Prove" video?
I produced the Video No Point to Prove and the Director was Kerrin Mclean
You have recently released the single "Me and You" produced by multi-platinum, multi-Grammy nominee Jason "J Vibes" Farmer. Tell us how the track came about and where people get it.
It was a pleasure working with J Vibes. He is a cool dude and super easy to work with. I had a concept of writing a love song from the perspective of one partner telling the other that they should focus on just them two and put everything else a side. Its a song I wanted to bring out my soulful and acoustic side but still a have the reggae element..
Tell us about the “System Set” song and the internationally shot video.
System brings out a side that I believe is very relevant for these times. We have got to continue to push forward as humanity and pushing forward means speaking to the ills of this world which we many times turn a blind eye to, system set I believe definitely brings them to the focus, it was a pleasure working with Duane Stephenson on this track.
I produced the Video No Point to Prove and the Director was Kerrin Mclean
You have recently released the single "Me and You" produced by multi-platinum, multi-Grammy nominee Jason "J Vibes" Farmer. Tell us how the track came about and where people get it.
It was a pleasure working with J Vibes. He is a cool dude and super easy to work with. I had a concept of writing a love song from the perspective of one partner telling the other that they should focus on just them two and put everything else a side. Its a song I wanted to bring out my soulful and acoustic side but still a have the reggae element..
Tell us about the “System Set” song and the internationally shot video.
System brings out a side that I believe is very relevant for these times. We have got to continue to push forward as humanity and pushing forward means speaking to the ills of this world which we many times turn a blind eye to, system set I believe definitely brings them to the focus, it was a pleasure working with Duane Stephenson on this track.
You have a new EP coming out, tell us about it.
I'm excited to give my fans a new compilation of work as I haven't done so in a while. I think fans can expect a step up from my debut album Move On, as I've grown a lot since then and I'm excited share that growth with them. Find out more & Follow Omari Banks www.OmariBanks.com instagram.com/omaribanks11 twitter.com/omaribanks11 facebook.com/omaribanks |