INTERVIEW : QUEEN OMEGA
Interview by : Yann Bossuat & Benoit Collin
Pictures by : Karl Joseph
on Saturday, March 26th 2005 - 13 720 views
Five years after her first recording, Babylon Buss, Queen Omega has become an accomplished artist. At 23, she already has four albums to her name. The latest, "Destiny", with the French band Special Delivery, has put her in the spotlight. An interview with Queen Omega, in all simplicity and good humour.
Reggaefrance / Hello Queen Omega, can you introduce yourself?
Queen Omega / Good evening, I’m Queen Omega, I come from Trinidad & Tobago and I’m in Paris where I’m relaxing and having fun.
When did you start singing?
When did I start singing? That’s a good question. I’ve always been a singer. I was born with this gift from God. I started singing really very young, at 4 or 5, in kindergarten. Since then I’ve never stopped... and I never will!
Did you learn to sing in church?
I went to church when I was a child. You know, you sit there for an eternity, and at some point in your life you want to rebel... I stopped going to church after that. But I never sang in choirs. I remember, I must have been nine, there was a calypso competition at my school. My teacher had written this calypso for me. She motivated me for the competition, and told me that if I won, she would take me to Turvananda... I won the competition and I went to Turvananda. She was very important to me.
Which artists did you listen to?
At that time, Whitney Houston, Mary J Blige, Patti Labelle, Diana Ross... American soul music, and jazz too. I love jazz.
Why did you take the name Queen Omega?
My real name is Queeny, because I’m the only girl in a family of five boys. When I took the path of Rastafari and began to honour His Majesty Haile Selassie, I was given the name Queen Omega. At that time, I was so convinced of this fire in me... But people told me: “Come on, you’re so royal, you’re like Queen Omega”. That name struck me.
Can you tell us about the music scene in Trinidad?
Over there, there’s soca music. It’s like dancehall, the same tempo... There’s a lot of reggae too, with lots of artists and young people. I grew up going to some of those concerts, practically begging the security guards to let me backstage so I could meet the major artists! Trinidad has a very “cultural” scene, with lots of different kinds of music. Now there are lots of emerging artists, but one of the most important is Jamelody, who has put out a single you hear every day.
How do you write your lyrics?
That’s a good question, because lots of people ask me “What inspires you?”
I don’t write every day, I shouldn’t say that (laughs). I write all at once, when it comes over me, when I find my "vibe". I don’t really choose a subject for a song. I just take my pen, a sheet of paper, and I write. I don’t ask myself questions. Give thanks to the Most High!
Your lyrics are “conscious” and also touch on current events.
Growing up, I was always thinking about the people who were less happy than me, those living with stress and worry. I’ve reached a stage where my life is comfortable now. And when I think of all those people, that stress, that suffering, I tell myself I have to write a song about it. So that they know there’s always someone who feels the pain too. Teaching is essential. It’s my duty. I have to do it, I have to touch on everything.
Destiny is your fourth album, do you think you’ve found your style?
Absolutely. "Destiny" is one of my best albums. I love "Destiny". Because there’s more of me in it, of my influences. As you said, it’s my style! And especially the song Destiny
How did you come to meet Special Delivery?
The first time... I think it was around the time of my first album, I was touring with Anthony B. I think that’s where Pierre and JP saw me, in England. I’m sure they followed me around quite a bit. Over time, we grew closer. I realised they loved reggae. Every time there was something going on, they were there! I thought to myself: “These French guys are wicked!” (laughs). They offered me to make the album and I accepted. The French are really very good at reggae. Better than the English, I must say.
How did the recording go?
The album was made while I was on my first European tour. They stayed in England to catch me and tell me they wouldn’t let me leave this time (laughs). The album was made in two weeks, three days a week. So six days in total. Since I was on tour, it was quite “tactical”. But it was really nice, I had a lot of fun making this album. They brought three or four CDs full of riddims. I was overwhelmed, I had so much choice. I picked the ones I liked. It was really enjoyable.
What’s your favourite song on the album?
My favourite song... (hesitating, then sure of herself) It’s Judgment. Because there’s a part of me that loves “blazing the fire” (laughs), that wants to put right what’s wrong, and Judgment allowed me to do that, through the words. Word Sound & Power, yeah!
You’ve done combinations with Sizzla, Buju Banton. Who would you like to do more with?
I’m thinking of Morgan Heritage, Beres Hammond. Probably another one with Sizzla... Lots of artists, there are so many! I like Sista Carol, Marcia Griffiths...
Does being a woman make things harder in the reggae scene?
It’s not really hard to develop as an artist, but it’s hard as a woman, they’re always trying to put you down. But I’m one hell of a woman, I’m a Queen! And a queen has to be at the top. But that’s fine by me because I like a challenge, and I like being provoked, motivated. I think being a woman in the reggae scene is fantastic. It’s something different too, once men see that a woman is doing “consciousness”, they’re more reasonable.
Why do you think women are often confined to backing vocals?
I imagine some men are afraid when they see a woman gaining importance. I believe women are the strongest "vessels". It is written that women take longer to see the King, they have a longer road in the quest for truth. But once we’re there, we stay very firm. I imagine that’s one of the reasons why women often stay in the backing vocals. Men are afraid.
After the successes of Tanya Stephens or Cecile, and before them Lady Saw and Marcia Griffiths, it feels like women are carving out a real place for themselves in reggae... How do you feel about this evolution?
There’s a time for everything and right now, there’s a renewed interest in women. These are very serious times, and you have to be very careful about what you say, because every word can be turned against you.
I think a lot of women are going to emerge. Today is the hour of women. So Ladies, Empresses and Queens, come out ya !
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