OMARION (February
2007) | Interview By: Yash
Dubcnn had a brief chat with former B2K member Omarion to discuss his
sophomore solo album "21" which was released at the end of last year. We also
find out about what led him into a career in music, what the reason behind the
B2K split was, we talk about his debut album "O" and the positives and
negatives from moving from a group situation to a solo artist. Omarion tells
us about working with Timbaland, helps clear up the Bizzy Bone issue from an
interview we had in
2004 as well as how he feels the new album has been received .
As ever you can read
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yash@dubcnn.com.
Dubcnn: You started singing
and dancing when you were 5 years old. Who inspired you to do that at such a
young age?
My mom man and just being around my family in that entertainment you know.
We always used to entertain each other when we got together on holidays and I
think that’s how it came about man. My mom was actually a dancer too.
Dubcnn: What artists did you look up too when you were young?
Definitely Michael Jackson, James Brown and all the greats you know the likes
of New Edition.
Dubcnn: Alright man where in L.A. where you born and raised?
Inglewood California.
Dubcnn: You know you reached stardom when you was like 14 years old do you
think you missed out on a lot of stuff kids did at that age?
Well truthfully when you’re sure about something and when I was younger I
always believed that singing was something that I always wanted to do and I
really don’t feel like I missed out and I really got a change to go to like
the Prom and do things normal kids do.
Dubcnn: Do you think up coming
R&B singers go through the same struggles that a lot of new west coast rappers
go through?
Well truthfully I don’t think so. I’m not sure because I would say there’s not
that many west coast singers and don’t get me wrong because everyone struggles
at a point in their career, but no I wouldn’t say that.
Dubcnn: You know your group B2K was very successful. What happened so you
guys parted ways in 2004?
I think what we all wanted was a little maturity and we wanted to find
ourselves some time to think about the things we went through. In the
beginning you know the goals of the group was to become successful and we all
shared one vision and as we got older you know everyone kind of separated and
I think that split the group up.
Dubcnn: You know there were lots of rumours back then can you set the
rumours straight once and for all?
It’s all good man. Everybody’s cool and it’s all love but I mean don’t get me
wrong because from the beginning everyone was like “Okay we’re not feeling
each other” and that’s just the way it happened but now everybody’s cool.
Dubcnn: Was it hard for you to go from being in a group to doing solo
albums in like a year?
Yeah man it was difficult and it was something that I kind of had to get used
too and it was something that I wasn’t used too. It was different.
Dubcnn: What’s the positive side of being solo and what’s the negative
side?
Well the positive side is that you can make up your own decisions and not rely
on other people. And if I’m having a bad day or something doesn’t go right I
can’t blame anybody but myself. Plus you don’t have to cut the check 2 or 4
ways and I don’t think there is a negative side to it.
Dubcnn: You starred in a couple of good movies and TV shows. From Fat
Albert too the Bernie Mac show and The House. Tell us what you have learned
from those experiences.
Well really experience is everything. When you get on the stage you get more
confidence and you get more loose. So when I got on the road later I had my
experience up.
Dubcnn: Your first solo album went gold and was successful. Do you think
this new album will lead to even greater success?
I hope so. *laughs*
Dubcnn: Yeah it’s been getting great reviews so far.
Yeah everyone seems too really like it. I’m really happy about that.
Dubcnn: Okay, we interviewed Bizzy Bone from Bone Thugs and Harmony a
couple of years back and he played me a diss track where he was like going at
you because you guys had said that you were going to sign Bizzy Bone and he
said that wasn’t true. Can you speak on that?
Well I’m sure that it was the other two members that were saying they were
going to sign Bizzy Bone. *Laughs* That wouldn’t even come out of my mouth.
Dubcnn: Because he was really pissed. Glad you could set that straight.
Yeah yeah man for sure. I really like Bizzy Bone as an artist and I wouldn’t
say that.
Dubcnn: Can you tell us what it’s like being in the studio with Timbaland?
Oh man Timbaland’s out of here! He’s someone that is really exciting to be
around and a really cool guy I mean he’s Timbaland you know *Laughs*.
Dubcnn: Do you ever think that there will be a B2K reunion going down?
