Omari Lyseight.
Kendal Walker / via the artist
The Opener is The FADER’s mini-interview series with exciting new artists we think you should know.
South London producer Omari Lyseight has a knack for mesmerizing instrumentals. Whether he’s working with MIKE, Jadasea, or YL, the hip-hop beatmaker maintains an easy musicality. At his hardest hitting, as on 2024’s “No Amends” or this year’s “KILL FROM THE HEART,” his stuttering, off-kilter loops kick collaborators like RealYungPhil and Sideshow into high gear.
But Omari’s also capable of knitting together practically ambient synthbeds, the sort of woozy, ephemeral soundscape that Surf Gang specializes in. So naturally, his upcoming mixtape Digital is dropping via the NYC collective’s label imprint. The project has some seriously high profile features — Earl Sweatshirt pops through alongside Tan Cressida-signee Rockitineedspace — but some of the best songs are those with fellow Londoners Jadasea and Jawnino. 454 coasts effortlessly over the undulating groove of “East End;” later, MIKE spits, “Free Palestine, fuck ICE and affiliates,” over the transluscent and transcendent “Like Or Repost.”
The FADER caught up with Omari Lyseight over email to chat about U.K. funky house, the first concert he ever attended, and matching accessories with his mum.
What's a motto you think everyone should live by?
Sounds kind of cliche but “Never give up”. I’ve been doing stuff within music since I was about 3 years old and it's easy to want to give up at so many points along the way on the journey, but you just gotta keep going.. It always pays off.
What's a song you'd want to remix and why?
Any Jaeychino song! Honestly I make remixes of his stuff all the time and just never release them, but he is one of my favourite rappers at the moment.
Explain a lyric of yours that people misunderstand.
“I make her party hard.. yeah, like Donae’o..” I realised a lot of the U.S. audience were not exposed to U.K. Funky House which is honestly a genre and era that cannot be replicated. A friend from the U.S. asked me what that meant recently and it made me realise.
What's the coolest thing to do in your hometown?
Eat Caribbean food. Either at home, or True Flavours. I’m from Tulse Hill (Brixton) so real ones know about True Flavours!
Tell us about the first album you bought.
Kanye West, Late Registration. Growing up, my mum and sister influenced my listening experience so much and Kanye was heavily in rotation at the time. Still one of my favourite albums of all time, I can pretty much quote word for word.
What was the last movie you watched?
Toy Story 5! Honestly it was moving. Great symbolism of how technology has removed some of the core fun of growing up in the current time.
When you're not making music, how do you spend your free time?
I like going on walks to nowhere, using the time to think about what I’m gonna make next. I make a lot of beats in the park or somewhere outside at the moment. I also love gaming, I’ve definitely built a lot of friendships over call of duty lobbies and played with some cool people over the years.
Best advice you've gotten?
You have to spend money to make money.
Worst advice you've gotten.
Anyone in a position to give me any real advice usually has a pretty good head on their shoulders.. so I don’t really take bad advice.
What's the ideal level of fame and why?
Honestly I'm not dying to be at a ridiculous level of fame. Throughout my years I've met people that are pretty famous and often it seems more stressful than fun. I want to be a household name for my music, however I would be happy with a nice house, my family and the ability to create forever.
Describe the best concert you've attended.
In like 2013 I went to a Snarky Puppy gig in Shoreditch with some friends from school. Honestly such a good performance and one of my early gig experiences.
What's the best thing you've bought for $100 or less?
Probably My SP-404. Managed to get it for about 100 from a second hand store which is an absolute steal. I remember a friend telling me they got one years ago for $30 because the store thought it was a CD writer and since then I spent years waiting to find one for cheap and $100 was the best I could get.
What's your favorite accessory?
I’ve got a denim rhino on my keys that is on its last legs. I used to work at G-Star pre-pandemic and they made these keyrings. My mum has one too so it's kind of our thing.
What's the last thing you wrote in your notes app?
“Stepped in Clarks on Clarks on like Kelly.. S**t get blue real blue like belly” sometimes I just write one liner’s to return to at a later date.
Describe your perfect afternoon.
Studio session in a naturally lit room with some good zaa, a few homies, some ramen for lunch and a smoothie. That sounds like a vibe for sure.
What's something you're looking forward to?
My album release. I have spent the last few years trying to make this happen so seeing everything finally come together feels amazing.
Kendal Walker / via the artist
