Guy at party: Congrats!
Omar Khan: Thanks, for what?
Guy: Youre opening up for Prince this Friday...?
Omar: Yeah, right.
Guy: Didnt your manager tell you? Its for his afterparty.
And so goes the word of mouth career of a musician who has only released one song to-date, yet is hailed as Grammy-winning producer Chin Injetis protégé; whose grandmother has never heard him sing, yet found himself invited to a studio session with Esthero after serenading her on the street.
He did, indeed, also open for Prince much to his own disbelief.
Omar Khan is shocking. The stocky, soft-spoken Polynesian comes complete with multiple personalities, a penchant for pink and an enviable amount of talent.
The son of a Rotuman mother and Fijian father, Khan and his siblings arrived in Canada, to be raised by their grandparents, when he was three. Khan never had access to the musical rites of childhood; five people in a two bedroom house meant those violin lessons never came. Nor the piano. Even singing was done in secret, forbidden under his Islamic upbringing.
His grandparents formally adopted him when he was 12. When he was 13, he met David Morin through a mutual friend and they formed a singing group in Surrey. They got signed to a label and, when he was 16, they performed at a showcase for . His strongest memory of that moment was nerves. Injeti doesnt remember it at all.
It wasnt until he was 24 that he had a second shot to sing for the Â鶹´«Ã½Ó³»legend. He recognized Canadian singer Esthero on the street and asked her to sing Gone for him. As she did, he countered with Cee Los harmony part and her response was to invite him into Injetis studio the next day, where they co-wrote a song.
Hes now 29, and one of only two artists currently being developed by Injetis label, . For the past two years, Khan and have been under Injetis wing, crafting songs, making videos, and in Danais case, self-publishing an building their reputation as the artists to watch in Vancouvers close-knit music scene.
WE caught up with Injeti and Khan on a break from their Gastown studio sessions.
Omar is one of the greatest artists I know, says Injeti, whose resumé runs Dr. Dre, 50 Cent, Drake and Eminem deep. Hes an incredible writer, hes an incredible singer he embodies his music. His soul is love and so is his music.
Hes a little crazy, adds Injeti, with a laugh. But its like autopilot. Hes very much unto himself and I just facilitate what he does.
And thats the secret to the surprise just let Omar Khan be Omar Khan. He casts a spell from the stage, blending rich and powerful personal experiences into pop songs that are both emotive and uplifting, but most importantly, allow him to express what he feels every true artist should invoke: his feminine side.
People are complaining about Lil Wayne wearing pink pants and hats, but if you look at Grandmaster Flash and rappers from the 80s, that was their scene, Khan contends. Men need to explore and be a little more flamboyant without having to be called gay.
I feel like, when you are really creative you have to be really vulnerable, and when you are vulnerable you have to be in touch with your feminine side. Im not afraid to express how I feel, he declares, lips pursed and falsetto blazing.
And this is how the artist friends call Omi (or Winston, depending on his mood), who loves red velvet cupcakes and teaching music to children, has gotten through his hardest times.
He met his mother only once before she passed away in 2004. In that visit, the 14-year-old discovered where his musical ability came from. Surrounded by laughing cousins playing Polynesian classics and Ben Harper, Khan started down the path that would allow him to accept his many passions. Buying $10K worth of studio equipment after a breakup might have had a bit to do with it as well.
And Khan no longer hides behind his trademark humour and beaming grin. After experiencing depression in 2011, including a break down in studio in front of Injeti, they have channeled that into a catalogue that reflects where he is today.
I feel like I should be celebrating because I did a lot with a lot going on in my life. My 20s came down to me learning who I was; what I didnt want; how to love myself; how to properly love other people. Sometimes that takes a lifetime.
All that emotion and triumph is rendered into his slinking, electronic neo-R&B single ? (What Am I Gonna Do Now), released on Injetis free, star-studded mixtape, Peoples (featuring guests such as Shad, Talib Kweli, Moka Only and Kyprios.).
Khans father saw him perform for the first time in May. Shortly thereafter, his grandma finally invited him to sing for her. Caught without his guitar, Khan deferred, but perhaps shell get to hear that voice soon.
You can follow Kelsey Klassen on Twitter .
