Published: Wednesday - February 7, 2007
Words by Kennita Hickman
Omarion (Photo: Columbia)
In 2004, urban music experienced shake up when B2K abruptly parted ways. May not seem major now, but to those die hard boy band fans, B2K was the answer to other boy bands such as N'Sync and Backstreet Boys. Not since New Edition or Jackson 5 had R&B seen a substantially talented group of young boys that were able to create such a hysteria among young black females. And, just as abruptly as our love affair with B2K began... it ended.
Some cite money as the breaking point while others lean more towards the Supreme syndrome, where one bandmate is getting more facetime than the other members. Whatever the reason, during promotion of their first feature film debut, "You Got Served," B2K parted ways leaving Omarion to start a solo career.
Now with the release of 21, his sophomore album, Omarion is moving into new territory... ready to set the record straight on the B2K split, the upgrade he made to the Scream tour and the woman who turned his heart into an icebox.
BallerStatus.com: Hi. How are you?
Omarion: Alright. You sound so sweet. How are you?
BallerStatus.com: I'm great. Thank you. How's your day so far?
Omarion: It's alright. I don't think I can walk, though.
BallerStatus.com: Why?
Omarion: I'm that tired. I've been working since about 6:30 a.m.
BallerStatus.com: What have you been working on?
Omarion: Just got done with the Scream Tour. There was a whole lot of people on that tour -- Mario, Jibbs, Yung Joc, Ne-Yo, Sammie, One Chance [and] T.I. is doing a few dates. I'm just exhausted from thinking.
BallerStatus.com: This is the Scream tour?
Omarion: Yeah, Scream 5 tour. Did you think you might make one of the shows?
BallerStatus.com: Me? No... I don't do concerts.
Omarion: What you mean you don't do concerts?
BallerStatus.com: I don't know... the scream tour... I don't know O.
Omarion: But, it's just called the Scream tour, though. It's the Scream Tour presents Rough and Ready, Grown and Sexy. It's grown men at the tour. It's not just for the kids anymore.
BallerStatus.com: Okay, that was my concern...
Omarion: I understand. You want to be able to relax. You don't want to deal with young girls screaming and stuff. I understand.
BallerStatus.com: Okay... so you're 21, right?
Omarion: Nope, I'm 22 now.
BallerStatus.com: So, when you turned 21, was it really worth the hype? People hype 21 up to be so great?
Omarion: Honestly, 21 went by so fast. Like, I just remember having my birthday party. I didn't get to do anything more than what I was already doing. The only thing was when I went to Vegas and they carded me and they respect me now. I sit at the table and they really respect me, like "Here are your cards, Mr. Grandberry." So, that was cool. But, I'm really looking forward to 25, now. I guess that's just how it happens.
BallerStatus.com: I was listening to the latest single "Icebox." It's definitely a more grown up sound. Did you go through experiences, lets' say from the last album to now, that helped you gain material for this album?
Omarion: Oh yes. The "Icebox" is very recent in terms of things that have gone on in my life. How that record came along is that I was with a girl for 3 1/2 years and I just recently separated from her, like 8 months ago. And, that's where I got the concept from. I know a lot of guys and girls go through this, where you don't plan on falling in love with that person. For whatever reasons, it doesn't go right. It kind of sets us up for the future people they'll meet. And you feel like, "I don't want to fall in love. I don't want to be with someone who might break my heart." That's what I'm expressing in the record.
BallerStatus.com: So, do YOU want to fall in love, again?
Omarion: Of course. I'm mature enough to understand that this is a part of life. Where she was at the time, I was just in a different place. She needs to mature and needs to know what she wants out of life. We've been together since we were younger... I respect that. I can't be mad at the fact that I saw that she needed time to mature. It would be unfair of me to try and stay with her and her not know what she wants out of life. All she knows is me.
BallerStatus.com: Is it hard to date when you're Omarion?
Omarion: Of course. But, I don't really date. I'm not looking for a girlfriend. I'm looking for a young lady with wifey potential. I'm not trying to hang out. I want something that's nice.
BallerStatus.com: Speaking of nice... let's talk about your latest album, 21. For those who don't have it, what can people expect?
Omarion: Great music. Passionate music. What I love more than anything about this album is that I was able to be more hands on. I recorded records for a long time. And, this album, I was able to see how important it is to be a part of your music. I would get music from other producers and I would just sing it. So, it would be like me just going out on stage and someone telling me what to do as opposed to doing what I feel. That's what I feel like I'm doing. I'm expressing what's going on in my life and what I've been through, so you connect more with your audience when you're personal and honest.
BallerStatus.com: Producers?
Omarion: Pharrell Williams, Timbaland, Erik Hudson, The Underdogs, Bryan Michael Cox... it's a nice album. Got some up-tempos on there, got some ballads for the ladies and some mid-tempos as well. Twelve songs on the record. Out of the twelve songs, I wrote about eight songs.
BallerStatus.com: Now, that you're 22 and doing the "grown and sexy thing," how would you describe the place where you're at in life right now?
Omarion: I would describe it as... I'm just passing through. I'm 22. I have a lot to learn and I still have a lot of growing to do. At the same time, the first thing about change is you gotta be willing to accept it. You gotta realize it's inevitable. You have to embrace it. So, I would say I'm at a place where I'm just growing... Really growing day by day. I'm learning new things as far as my business and personal life.
BallerStatus.com: I'm sure you've also done a lot of phoners today. Is there ever a time when you get bored? And, is there a question you hate being asked?
Omarion: Yes. Is B2K going to do a reunion?
BallerStatus.com: Darn it. That was the next question.
Omarion: [laughs] I know it's something that's a part of our past. That's why people ask. That doesn't bother me. But, this is my sophomore album. I would think that people would not ask me that.
BallerStatus.com: Well I guess for me, since I am your age, I kind of watched the stages of your music progress. I think it's more of like wanting New Edition to reunite. Who doesn't want New Edition to reunite? With Bobby Brown?
Omarion: I get what you mean.
BallerStatus.com: Kind of like... just wanting that moment to say "goodbye." Like, you know, they probably won't do another album, but you at least want to see them together one last time.
Omarion: Yeah, I understand totally. Truthfully, us breaking up wasn't something that was planned. Fame is something that if you're not strong enough, it can consume you and take over you. It's amazing because I've been tremendously blessed during this whole period and to still have a career and to still be out there working hard. Like, God has really blessed me and I can truthfully say that this is what I was born for.
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