OMID - OH MY...
"If a man does not keep pace with his companions, perhaps it's because he hears a different drummer... " - Henry David Thoreau
One of Los Angeles' best kept secrets, Omid (OD as his previous moniker), is once again creating his own beat. The production genius who brought forth the indie hip-hop classic, 'Beneath the Surface', and the visionary 'Distant Drummer' couple of years later, is back with another round of massive eargasm called 'Monolith'. He's also just finished an amazing collaboration with Sach (aka Nouka Bass Type of the Nance) that is definitely worthy of your attention. Here we shed a little light on Omid's thoughts on life, the Good Life, and how he met the love of his life... (you know the rest).
She's the love of my life... hip-hop, hip-hop...
It was elementary school. Do you remember in elementary school when you have end of the year parties and bring cupcakes and stuff? Well, I think it was in the 3rd or 4th grade... some kids brought a radio and started playing Run-DMC and started break dancing. I had never heard this music before that. After that, I fell in love.
The beginning...
I listened to only hip-hop throughout junior high. Then I started wanting to make beats. In 9th grade, I saved enough money and bought a Pro sampler. I would tape songs from this old KXLU show and started making beats off of those tapes. I sampled the music from the show, which was mostly soul and jazz.
The Good Life...
Around '93, I discovered The Good Life. The music they were doing was so innovative; the lyrics were so creative and the beats... Brazilian and Middle Eastern samples; it was a whole new world opening up in my head. I just realized that I wanted to contribute to this. Being a producer was the best way I thought that I could contribute to it.
He loves L.A.
I like L.A. because there are a lot of talented people here, not only in hip-hop but in jazz. There are a lot of dope artists. I'm mostly inspired by the many musicians and artists that live in L.A., especially the older jazz cats at the World Stage.
Possible collabs...
I want to work with Saul Williams... I like him a lot. I'd also like to work with Kurt Elling, Rob Sonic, M.Sayeed, and MF Doom.
Can't live without...
Radio stations KXLU & KPFK, my mom's Persian food, my family, my love - Sheila, and my ASR-10.
Music Omid can't live without...
1. Eastern Sounds by Yusef Lateef
2. Organized Konfusion's first album
3. Pharoah Sanders
4. My Spaceways and Rise mixtapes
5. My old KDAY mixtapes
HAYDEE