OMI

Biography

Omar Samuel Pasley, known professionally as OMI, was born on September 3, 1986, in Clarendon, Jamaica. He is the youngest of four children born to musician Kenroy Pasley and his wife, Rachel. OMI's father, who was also a visual artist, passed away from emphysema when OMI was just nine years old, leaving a significant impact on him. He attended May Pen Primary School and later Garvey Maceo High School, where his passion for music began to flourish. During his high school years, he would rap while his friends created beats on desks.

Musical Beginnings

OMI's professional music career began after being discovered by dancehall impresario Clifton "Specialist" Dillon and signing to the independent Jamaican label Oufah. His first single was "Standing On All Threes," which was released with a music video. He followed this with other local hits in Jamaica, including "Take It Easy" and "Fireworks".

The Rise of "Cheerleader"

OMI wrote the song "Cheerleader" in 2008, and it was eventually recorded and released in 2012. Initially, the song gained moderate success in Jamaica and popularity in Hawaii and Dubai. In 2014, a remix of the song by German DJ Felix Jaehn was commissioned. This tropical house version of "Cheerleader" became a massive international success, topping the charts in numerous countries, including Australia, Germany, Sweden, and the United Kingdom. In the UK, it held the number one spot for four consecutive weeks, a record for a Jamaican artist. The song also reached number one on the US Billboard Hot 100 in 2015.

Debut Album and Later Career

Following the global success of "Cheerleader," OMI released his debut album, "Me 4 U," on October 16, 2015. The album featured the hit single "Cheerleader," as well as the follow-up single "Hula Hoop," which performed well in several countries. Over the years, OMI has collaborated with various artists, including The Vamps, Shaggy, and Felix Jaehn, on different tracks. In 2018, he reunited with Felix Jaehn for the single "Masterpiece".