"I think that Caribbean music and African beats make people move. Music for us has always been a means of communication and how we tell stories, people connect to that."

Omari Banks: West Indies Rhythm n' Blues

Born and raised on the beautiful island of Anguilla, in the British Caribbean, Omari Banks found his musical calling at the tender age of five when he first took the stage in Milan, Italy to sing alongside his father Bankie Banx. This musical experience touched his heart and a star was born. Omari went on to win multiple talent shows, but later as a teenager turned his attention to the sport of Cricket, where he excelled locally, regionally and ultimately on the world stage as the first Anguillian to play Test Cricket for the West Indies in 2003, as well as being one of the three persons to be nominated for World Young Player of the Year by the prestigious Wisden Cricket Magazine. Omari’s passion for music never waned and in 2010 Omari made the decision to return to his first love music, finding his inspiration through an eclectic array of music genres including traditional Jamaican Reggae accentuated with Rock and Blues backbeats. His style of music has an adult contemporary fusion that blends seamlessly with Lovers Rock and RnB.                                                         (Omari Banks / © Arnie Goodman Photography)

With a lifetime of experiences and life lessons Omari immersed himself in songwriting and perfecting his musicianship. He dedicated himself to his music and created his debut album, “Move On” recorded in Kingston Jamaica and Houston Texas which charted #4 on the top ten reggae albums of 2015 in the popular and prestigious “German Riddim Magazine”. Omari toured Europe with the Grammy Winning group, ‘Morgan Heritage”, on their Grammy Winning Album Tour “Strictly Roots”. To date Omari has collaborated on songs with Peetah Morgan and Duane Stephenson; and on his upcoming album Omari has a number of collaborations with international recording Artistes. With a simple musical mission to spread messages of love, consciousness and inspiration, his assimilation of styles gives a unique touch to his brand of music. Omari has to date released albums such as “Move On”, “Move On Deluxe Edition”, “Sunlight” and in Spring 2024 will release his third studio album “My Life”.

Interview by Michael Limnios        Photos © by Arnie Goodman / All rights reserved

How has the Caribbean music and culture influenced your views of the world and the journeys you’ve taken?

Growing up in the Caribbean and being around Rastafarian culture I always had a strong sense of my African heritage and what it means to be a black man in this region and the world. That sense of pride comes out in my music, my music’s lyrics and the rhythms which form the foundation of my style.

How do you describe your sound and songbook? Where does your creative drive come from?

I would describe my sound as a blend of reggae music mixed with RnB and rock inflections, and my writing style a singer songwriter approach. My inspiration has always come from observing my life, my environment and the world.

Why do you think that the Caribbean music continues to generate such a devoted following?

I think that Caribbean music and African beats make people move. Music for us has always been a means of communication and how we tell stories, people connect to that.

"For me what I miss most is the conscious lyrical content in mainstream music. Music I believe can take us through a range of different emotional states but ultimately I believe it should move us to a better place when I listen to some of the ideas and messages within some of the music of today I’m not sure if I can say that it will take us to a better place. My intention is to be a part of that movement towards a better place musically." (Omari Banks / © Arnie Goodman Photography)

What's the balance in music between technique and soul/emotions? How do you understand the spirit, music, and the meaning of life?

I believe that music is felt with the heart, but technique or theory of music helps us to communicate those emotions. Sometimes it takes one note to tell the whole story, sometimes it takes ten. Similarly, I believe life is like this, nothing is constant, things change. I believe that music in many ways reflect this. Ever changing and we have to adapt and sometimes improvise, our spirit leads us. With a positive vibration we can overcome anything.

What moment changed your life the most? What´s been the highlights in your life and career so far?

One of the most pivotal moments in my life was when I got selected in 2003 as the first Anguillian to play international cricket for the West Indies and represent my region, it gave me a great sense of confidence and pride of what can be accomplished through hard work, determination and a dream. Musically touring, recording and performing with greats of reggae music like Morgan Heritage, Third World, Sly Dunbar, Robbie Lyn, Clive Hunt and performing on international and regional stages like SXSW and St.Kitts Music Festival to name a few are all moments I reflect on as key markers in my progression as an Artiste.

What do you miss most nowadays from the music of the past? What are your hopes and fears for the future of?

For me what I miss most is the conscious lyrical content in mainstream music. Music I believe can take us through a range of different emotional states but ultimately I believe it should move us to a better place when I listen to some of the ideas and messages within some of the music of today I’m not sure if I can say that it will take us to a better place. My intention is to be a part of that movement towards a better place musically.

"I would describe my sound as a blend of reggae music mixed with RnB and rock inflections, and my writing style a singer songwriter approach. My inspiration has always come from observing my life, my environment and the world."

(Omari Banks / © Arnie Goodman Photography)

If you could change one thing in the musical world and it would become a reality, what would that be?

If I could change one thing it would be to see more black Artiste and instrumentalist showcased outside the confines of urban music, I think nowadays there is a trend to do so when so many of the greats of the past who were instrumental in creating those genres were of African descent. It would be great to bring that back.

What is the impact of music on the socio-cultural implications?  How do you want the music to affect people?

Music plays a huge role in the social and cultural environment of a country, when we look at the messages within some music and the conditions of the environment of which that music is created I think it speaks for itself the results it brings about. My goal is to speak to the issues and resolve them, not just reflect them.

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