Omar Perry
Biographie Omar Perry
Omar Perry
was born in Kingston Jamaica in 1968, a youngster who had the privilege of having a father such as the legendary producer and songwriter Lee “Scratch” Perry. At the tender age of 6, he and his little sister Marsha got the chance of recording on some of their father’ songs such as “Thanks we get” by Junior Byles and “Ram Goat Liver” by Pluto Shervington. Omar, at that age, was interested in playing the drums, growing up in such a musical environment, watching some of the greatest artists that ever worked in his father’s studio, the “Black Ark” : Max Romeo, Junior Murvin, Bob Marley with the Wailers ... Omar knew one day he would dedicate his life to the Music. After leaving school as a teenager in the mid 80s, he decided to form a group with his brother Sean and sister Marsha. They were called “the Upsetter Juniors” which they performed at small gigs and talent concerts, started their own record label under the same name, produced a few local artists and their only single “Positive Vibration”. After splitting from the group by 1990, Omar became drawn by the music and began to find his own way. To understand the music more, he started working as an engineer in a 4 tracks studio by a friend then, met Boris Gardener who had an 8 tracks studio at that time. So reaching 24 tracks at Junior Reid’s “One Blood” studio was a big accomplishment for him where he worked with artists like Tyrone Taylor, Big Youth, Terry Ganzie and Jah Mason. After leaving Jamaica in 1996, heading for new arising, Omar found himself travelling to Africa, a place he had dreamt of. For 4 years, Omar established himself as a Reggae ambassador in the Gambia, took the opportunity to be a Disc Jockey playing on the national radio station “radio 1”, night clubs and local venues in small villages. After leaving a trail of the Reggae storm in Africa, he set himself a new goal. The challenge was Europe. On reaching the European scene by 2000 as a Disc Jockey, Omar did not waste time in making himself an household name not only as a Disc Jockey but to be seen as a performer as well. Bringing his style to perfection, Omar lives and works in Belgium. He performed at festivals such as Couleur Café, Dour, Fêtes de la Musique and venues l’Ancienne Belgique, VK* club, as support act for Sly & Robbie + Mykal Rose, Buju Banton, Horace Andy, Alton Ellis, collaborating with a few big names such as Dreadzone, Mafia & Fluxy, Mad Professor and Ruff Cutt, featured with Ghetto Priest, Earl Sixteen, Dub Incorporation and K2R Riddim. In 2003, Adrian Sherwood produced his first single entitled “Rasta Meditation” (collector). While working on a small tour with Horace Andy in 2005, he met Guillaume “Stepper” Briard, who not only is a musician but a producer as well. Stepper seeing Omar’s potential, they decided to work together in the launching of his first album. Since 2006, he has been working on a very high level that can be reckoned as a positive career. His first so awaited album “Man Free” is to be released by “No Direction Home/Corner Shop” on the 19th November 2007. The recent successful 2007 French tour with Jah Mason was just a taste of what is yet to come. Omar Perry is a natural performer, an act for sure we can say, is as good as the best. On a mission, he soon will confirm his rightful place.
