Omari Marsalis, an artist whose name was given to him as an ode to the Marsalis family from New Orleans, is a talent grown from the roots of jazz and that has flourished in the heart of St Ann’s, Nottingham. Omari’s lyrics capture the reality and rawness of inner city living whilst encouraging his listener to dream beyond the concrete jungle, drawing their attention to the beauty of wildflowers stubbornly forcing their way through cracks in the pavement. Having built a reputation for versatility through his countless features and collaborations, Omari has honed the ability to shift and evolve through genres, without compromising those elements that are intrinsic to his artistic identity. Distinctive in his lyrical and poetic approach to rapping, he offers rhythms and flows that are reminiscent of old jazz scatting with relatable topics, thought-provoking metaphors and a freedom of expression you could only find in your favourite hip-hop record. Omari now has a steadily growing following that he has built through a plethora of live performances across the UK, and this is apparent through his commanding presence on stage. Amongst many other creative projects, Omari is currently working towards an E.P with Nottingham producer Tom Hodson. From which you can expect; cleverly constructed concepts and conscious, but never clichéd, lyrics, weaving through a parade of marching drums and an eclectic mix of samples built upon a foundation of inner-city grit.