RESPECT. Interview: Omarion Talks Millennium Tour 2020, Jaden Smith Collab & Being a King

“I don’t prescribe to “the king of R&B”. You know, I’m a contributor, just like the great artists before me. A King, yes. A King of RnB I’m not sure if I would claim myself to be that. But definitely a one of a kind and a great contributor to RnB music. But a king for sure, even a God!”

All of the controversy and drama didn’t hold Omarion back from bringing on The Millenium Tour 2020 with Face-off collaborator Bow Wow and Ashanti. “The Proclaimed King of Unbothered” is gearing up with full force to crush the tour. Recently the star also unleashed his brand new single “Can You Hear Me?” featuring T-Pain. It is the first release via Omarion Worldwide in partnership with ADA for distribution. The hypnotic track is layered with Omarion’s sensational signature vocals followed by T-Pain’s energetic verse. Omarion’s Midas touch makes magic when it comes to delivering hit records; as we have witnessed that throughout his successful 20yrs long career. With a lot of new music business ventures happening for the star, Omarion is looking forward to being on the big stage again.

In the words of Billboard Hip-Hop Editor Carl Lamarre, according to Billboard Boxscore “The Millennium Tour grossed $25.5 million in 2019, selling just under 290,000 tickets”

Following the success of the Tour which was so fruitful, that Omarion Announced The Millenium Tour 2020 back in November but without his former band, B2K. As shocking as it sounds, it is no mystery what the actor has been going through publicly. But with resilience on his side, Omarion took the time out of his busy schedule to speak to RESPECT MAG about headlining the Millennium Tour 2020, if Electro Hop will ever come back and who he would love to collab with in the future.

RESPECT MAG: How is it going?
O: It’s going amazing. I’m in New York City we have The Millennium Tour tomorrow so I’m just out here making errands. Everything is great though.

Are you still the king of RnB? if not, who do you think holds that crown?
I don’t prescribe to “the king of RnB”. You know, I’m a contributor, just like the great artists before me. A king, yes. A King of R&B I’m not sure if I would claim myself to be that. But definitely a one of a kind and a great contributor to R&B music. But a king for sure, even a God!

Let’s talk about the Millennium Tour 2020. What are the expectations and does it feel good to be on stage performing again? Lots of hits lots of nostalgia what else is new?
Well we just dropped a new song a couple of weeks ago “Can You Hear Me” featuring T-Pain. So you know we got new music to go with the tour. I got so many amazing things currently going on, I also just announced also ill be dropping essential oil with Art Naturals called “Unbothered” by Omarion. Giving you the essence of what it really means to be unbothered. so many things going on. They all good things. so, I’m happy.

How do you balance between being a dad and touring?
well, I have a staff. I’m so blessed with an amazing staff who make sure that my schedule is cleared for the important times. You know like, my kids, they sometimes have morning assemblies. I’m a very very involved parent, so I make time for my kids. I understand how important it is to be there for them. Also, I’m on tour right and my daughter’s birthday is coming up on the 7th, she’ll be turning four. so ill be flying back the next week to celebrate her birthday, so daddy makes time.

Stars have moments, what’s your favorite moment in your career that’s unforgettable to you that you’d like to share.
Yes definitely, it’s 08 all of the performances on the BET Awards of “Oh”, “Touch” you know, “Ice Box”, “Post To Be”, you know, performing with Chris although they didn’t have all of my shots you know what I’m saying but it was a great moment. what else? currently, now I’m often living in moments, in the upcoming week I’m gonna be shooting “Can You Hear Me?” featuring T-Pain music so that should be fun. But you know, all of the Highlights come from the supportive fans. You know all those moments that are not I’m just contributing my energy and my creativity towards but you know when the fans respond when they love it and that it’s reciprocal. so yeah, those are few moments.

If there was something you could do over what would it be.
You know I’m not the one to take moments back. Because there is always some information and lessons you can learn from those moments that you might not be happy about at the time. So, I wouldn’t take anything back. You know, you live and you learn. That’s what life is all about.

What are some of the big body collabs your fans would be excited about happening right now?
Well, definitely this one with T-Pain. I have some other things in the work that I can’t really speak about. But yeah, some organic and like real-time collabos. No forced collabs. I find that when people talk about collabs, they say the same things like “well, who is it gonna be?” you know, and collabs come in many forms. A collab can come in the form of a producer as well as an artist. So, yeah it’s gonna be some amazing collabs. One amazing collab that I have is coming up at the end of the year announcing my forthcoming album Passport with James Fauntleroy. Me and James did a whole album together, you know, he’s an amazing creative so I cant for people to finally hear it. We’re dropping that in the forth quarter so yeah, I’m excited about that.

Are there any new artists you are currently into?
Not at the moment. I find that no disrespect to any of the artists that are contributing to music but there is not a lot of substance out there. There are not a lot of songs that are actually talking about the things that resonate with me. So I listen to my 3-hour mixes you know Thunderstorm Laps/Soulection. I be good in front of my decks. But you know there is some good ones out there but having a good song or creating a good, I don’t wanna say it’s easy but it appears to be easier nowadays. That also falls into the assessment, like I’m not just into hearing rhymes and beats, you know, rhythm and blues, there is a reason why those genres are called that. Blues being the representation of you speaking about your perspective in love and life. I feel that there is little bit of that. There is not a lot, but there are definitely some artists doing that. One that I can think of is Jacob Latimore. I like what he’s doing. He’s flexible as his art. Someone who’s been doing it for a long time. you know, he’s doing TV, he’s doing music, so that’s a young man that I believe will have a really bright future and will be around in the music for the future to come.

If you could collaborate with any of the new artists who would it be?
I think it would be dope to do something with Jaden Smith. I know Jaden has specific type of music that he creates. It would be dope to do something with him.

I met Jaden, he’s a very creative kid. He’s got alot going on especially with MSFTS brand. so yeah, that would be dope.
Yeah he’s lit. yeah that would be dope! yeah Jaden Smith.

Electro hop/Hip House was a big wave in the late 2000s do you see that wave ever coming back in its original form? with the way hip-hop is going these days? what do you think will be some of the obvious sound difference now with trap and emo rap heavily influencing hip-hop?
Facts. yeah, I think House music in its totality has been a separate genre from the mainstream. It’s one of the classes of music that has it’s sprits. You know, It’s been around for so long like you said and things have their re-emerging and like Kanye has a little bit of house in his new music. I love house, by the way, you know and I go dancing frequently so yeah, music always has its re-emergence. It always pops back up, especially when it’s these seeming subcultures, like even afrobeat, that’s been around for a while. So to answer your question, yes, we will all be joined at house music, and house music is great music, its great vibrations. So yeah I’m looking forward to that.

Wow, well coming from you that means alot because I make electronic and house music as well so it feels good to know. Because doesn’t matter the color of your skin, it brings people together. It’s universal.
Ok facts! yeah man, house is on the way.

Follow Omarion’s insta to keep up with his tour highlights and more music.