Omarion talks βThe Millennium Tour,β a possible Pleasure P Verzuz battle, remaining unbothered and more
REVOLT caught up with Omarion, who was social distancing in Los Angeles, to chat about touring again with B2K, his music, his new book about being unbothered, quarantine life and more. Read here!
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Omarion is βunbotheredβ… literally. If you love 90s and early 2000s R&B, youβre most likely a fan of his. With the return of βThe Millennium Tourβ earlier this year, and before COVID-19βs stay-at-home orders, music lovers were reminded of the epic reign of R&B boy band B2K. As many may recall, after the group broke up in 2004, Oβs solo career continued to skyrocket and he released his debut album, O, which was nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Contemporary R&B Album. The year 2020 marks the projectβs 15-year anniversary.
βI got this icebox where my heart used to be!β 2006βs βIce Boxβ was a moment in time. 2014βs βPost To Beβ and 2010βs βI Get It Inβ come in on par as close favorites, as well. For the past two decades, Omarion has been entertaining the masses. As a result, the public eye has seen him transform from a child star into a grown man.
REVOLT caught up with Omarion, who was social distancing in Los Angeles, to chat about touring again with B2K, his music, his new book about being unbothered, and more. Read below!
Howβs quarantine life treating you?
To be completely honest, when Iβm not working or traveling or on the road and doing shows, my home is really my safe haven. This is a piece of cake, Iβm chillinβ. Iβm at the crib. Iβm getting work done. My kids still have school via FaceTime. Nothing has stopped. Quarantine life is like taking a break from the road.
βThe Millennium Tourβ was going great. How was it to have to stop because of COVID-19?
Iβm a person who really believes in divine timing. Iβve been rolling with the universe for a long time. So, when things happen, itβs purposeful. Something like this, Iβm still surprised that everyoneβs being forced to stay home and not do anything. Like what?! It feels a little like jail. But, I really love my home. I really enjoy myself at home.
Whatβs your best memory of βThe Millennium Tourβ before the COVID-19 madness?
I noticed in the early 2000s, the 90s were being celebrated. Everybody wants to go back to the 90s, super 90s swag. Now that weβre in 2020, itβs time for the early 2000s to be commemorated and remembered. Thatβs the real reason for that nostalgia. Really a multitude of my fans havenβt really had one singular place to go like the βScream Tourβ where we started our relationship. Me as a performer, itβs like, βOh okay, this is the touring business. Iβm a performer, this is important for me.β But, I didnβt know that it was going to be a lifelong connection to where 15 years later, so many people came out. We just dropped a project with Zeus Network: The Millennium Tour Live.Β
Thereβs something so special about B2K and that tour. Whatβs it like seeing that replay on television?
Rightfully so, itβs such an enhancement to my catalog because not many artists have a long run in the game. Not too many artists link back up with their old bandmates after 15 years of not seeing each other. Thatβs a specific type of class of entertainment and performance, so itβs unbelievable to me. A lot of the fans said they hadnβt linked with their friends in a long time, they didnβt have nowhere to go. She got kids, she got kids, but, βYo girl, βThe Millennium Tour.β We going.β They link up. Itβs such a memory for us all, people who really truly appreciate my era or style of music.
How was it getting back onstage and busting out the dance moves?
I love it. I loved it. We did rehearsal obviously, but I havenβt stopped. I enjoyed myself.
What inspires you to make music today?
My real life. Thereβs something powerful about real time and being in your truth. Everything motivates me. I really want to always encourage people to move and dance. I always want to bring that joy. Thatβs my vibration. All my music, even if itβs a heartbreaking experience, itβll always end on a high note. You have some good takeaways, thatβs what motivates me to continue on. As an artist, Iβm here to remind people through the design of life, which is traumatic for everyone. I havenβt met not one person who hasnβt gone through some level of trauma. My contribution being on the planet is to make sure people stay motivated on their journey.
I feel like people forget youβre from Inglewood.
I know. Itβs the versatility. Early in my career, I did movies. I was doing a lot, so people forget. Real L.A. though. Me and Nipsey went to the same junior high school. People do forget that, thatβs low key right there.
Have you been tuning into these IG Live battles?Β
I love them all. I really enjoyed T-Pain and Lil Jon. Sean Garrett and The-Dream, I really enjoyed watching that. It was funny on a lot of levels. With The-Dream playing golf. Iβm one of the few people with songs from both of them. Theyβve both written songs for me, so itβs funny. That was great. I didnβt get to tap in with RZA and DJ Premier, but I saw it was live. A lot of people in there.
I was tapping with my Dominicanos, whatβs my manβs name? Hold on. Don Miguelo. He had the Live lit too. Spanish mamis all in the building, had about 200K in there. Iβve been enjoying it. I love that people are staying motivated and doing things from home. The general consensus is that people want to engage. Itβs funny how when you take away something, something else always [comes]. Cause and effect. Itβs so interesting because people usually donβt really talk to people, they donβt really acknowledge people. Itβs cool to see people saying hi, being thoughtful. I hope that continues to spread on the planet.
Pleasure P said heβd battle you. Would you consider?
Oh yeah, I seen that. Itβs too many hits, I donβt think itβs fair. Listenβ¦
Does Pretty Ricky count?Β
Yeah, Pretty Ricky could count. Letβs go through the era real quick: B2K, then my solo career. Bow Wow and Omarion, Maybach Music Omarion, all the other albums, the current s**t. Itβs a lot of music. I went through some the other day. Iβm like, βDamn, itβs a lot of songs.β
You forget your own hits?
Yeah because I donβt listen back to my catalog. I have so many songs with people, too. I have a song with Gucci Mane people probably donβt even remember, βI Get It In.β The song with Young Money, I did the hook. I have so many songs in my library. I donβt think itβd be fair with Pleasure.
Love that youβre paying someoneβs phone bill during COVID-19. How did you come up with that idea?
We have a contest with my new song featuring T-Pain, βCan You Hear Me?β Weβre helping people out at this current time in need. They have a phone bill they want us to take care of, weβre doing that for people to tap into Triller. Weβre also giving away some of my temp fragrances right now. Three different scents: Focus, Balance, Serenity; for all the essential workers and people out there still working at this time.
Weβve been collecting emails, sending packs out. If youβre in the mood or you have to do something and want some Focus, boom you hit that and get focused. If youβre feeling like youβre pissed off? Hold up, Serenity. When youβre having a good time, you hit that Balance. Bam, alright Iβm good. You have to check in with yourself.
Your energy is so vibrant and positive. Do you ever get pissed off?
Oh what? I get pretty upset. I donβt try to hide my emotions, I understand the importance of where I should put them. Thatβs the misnomer about being unbothered. Nah, donβt think Iβm not feeling anything. I just understand whatβs important. Sometimes, those things arenβt important. It has nothing to do with me. But, I get pretty pissed. Iβm passionate. Iβm sensitive, too, on the other side of sensitivity is awareness.
Whatβs your sonβs, Megaa, favorite Omarion song?
Let me tell you something funny. He watched the Live yesterday for the first time. He hasnβt seen it. Heβs sitting back just looking at me. I did this one move the other day, he got so upset. He said, βDad, show me that move!β Iβm like, βIβma show it to you, but you have to work your backslide out too before you start understanding what this is. You have to push, transition, boom.β Heβs like, βTeach me the moves!β
At five years old!
Yup. βPost to Beβ is his favorite because when we did the show at The Forum β well I didnβt bring him out. The head of my security Scotty P put him onstage. When I turned around, I seen him. I said, βYou want to come?β Heβs like, βIβm coming!β He came down and performed with me, so βPost to Beβ is special for him.
Howβs your book coming along?
How to Live an Unbothered Life: Lessons and Takeaways. In the book, Iβll be going through some scenarios. I wasnβt always a book reader, but Iβm a book reader now. I read whenever I get the opportunity to. Thereβs something special and important about sharing information, also writing. When they say thereβs power in the pen, itβs for real. Iβve been exercising it through song. I did one autobiographical [book] many years ago, but itβs time to give up those keys. Give up those formulas. For people whoβve had similar experiences privately, they can get some information. They can add it to their life and grow.
Any plans to act again?
Fasho. Weβre definitely going to be on the big screen soon, along with my new album [Passport]. Well itβs not really an album, itβs an experience. Myself and James Fauntleroy put this together. Iβm so excited for people to see it and feel it, for it to be on the planet. We lit!
Favorite quarantine snack?
Probably a smoothie. I make a smoothie at least two times a day. You have to get your greens in. For people who donβt eat greens, all you have to do is make a smoothie. Make it taste good, there you go.
Anything else you want to let us know?
βCan You Hear Me?β video is coming, be on the lookout yaβll. Hold it down while youβre at the crib. Be safe, stay well, and have a little dance off.