The best music comes from a real place. It’s easy to make up a story and translate it rhythmically, but it often sounds better, and is more relatable, when a musician draws from their real life to entertain listeners. 

Omega The Poet proves that with his new track, “Nina Simone.” Named after the Civil Rights activist and singer of the same name, it covers a situation with an amazingly unpredictable woman that he’s experienced before. The soulful track that features both Tajé and Innanet James make you think about similar experiences that you’ve had, succeeding in being both relatable and extremely listenable. 

Here’s an interview with Omega The Poet about how “Nina Simone” came about and what’s coming next for him. 

What was the inspiration behind Nina Simone?

Generally, the song is about a love affair I had with a young lady whose name also happened to be Nina Simone. Listening back to my verse, I’m taken back by how witty the lyrics are. I promise, nothing in that song is made up.

For example, the first line “Nina Simone, my ace of hearts…“ is something I said because she has an ace of hearts tattoo on her chest. So the inspiration was to express my adoration for a lady that was (and is) very significant in my life — in the most coded way.

How did this collaboration come about?

The collaboration with Tajé was a no brainer. He’s one of my closest friends & we went to college together at NCCU. He was a Jazz studies major & I would always hang around him and improve on my skill set and musicality. We just developed a genuine brotherhood. Given that, I thought he was the perfect person for the hook. As far as how Innanet James got on the track, I’ve always been a big fan of his music and the collaborations he’s done with other artists (Like Pusha T, Mac Ayres, etc.)

I also like to think my “musical palette” is very advanced & sometimes peculiar. So sonically, I thought he would be a great addition to the song. I reached out, he liked the song and he hopped on.

Have you ever had your own Nina Simone experience? If so, did that factor into how you made the song?

I think I have, now that you bring it up. I think at the time of making this song I was super young and, shamefully to say, in a serious relationship while also navigating the “secret” relationship with the young lady the song is about. I know that Nina Simone, as an activist, addressed issues like love and freedom. And as I relate her life to my life and this song, I’m drawing synchronicities as in how while I’m generally ( and always have been) a very loyal person…how certain phases of your life as it relates to growing, and freedom can cause you yearn freedom even if it is slightly deceitful. And even more — create such an amazing (and again) coded song.

What’s your favorite part about the track?

My verse for sure, I think since it’s such a 100% real story from beginning to end. It almost amazes me how I wrote it so fluently. I think it’s easy to get caught up in the melody of the song, but if you really listen to the lyrics…it’s kinda’ mind blowing. Bar’d up too on the rap side of things.

What will “Nina Simone” appear on? Can you tell us more about the project?

Nina Simone is actually a single from my last EP Eros. Eros explored the time of my life where I was budding as a young kid newly out of college and into the world. Still finding myself, but very complex and poetic given my age. I called it Eros because that is the name of Cupid in Greek mythology and I felt like that was the effect I had on women at the time.

What’s next for you?

Lots of new, highly developed yet egoless music. Some artists that inspired the music I’ll be releasing this year is Solange, D’angelo, Daniel Caesar, and Steve Lacy. Lots of beautifully simplistic, niche yet gravitational music. The type that is undeniable and forward. I haven’t released music since 2020…so everything in the vault since then will be coming out in 2025. I also started my own music publishing company and record label, called For The Record. So, I’m excited to introduce the artists under my direction as well.

Queens native Thomas “Bubba” Harrison has lived an exciting life. Thomas exemplifies perseverance and dedication to pursuing greatness from his time with the legendary rap group ONYX to landing various successful real estate deals and even starting a black-owned commercial flight business.

Dealing with a rocky First venture with a music imprint partnered with Sony that Harrison had to repivot out of due to unfortunate circumstances halting the deal and rekindling his passion for music. 1997 then came, and life changed for Thomas as he began writing under the name Bubba Smiff as he began recording with the ONYX. However, his love for real estate took off during that time, and he netted a quarter million in value from his first property purchases he used from his rap career money.

Now, Thomas started to become a real estate Tycoon and business genius. Throughout the early 2000s, Harrison accrued over fifty properties from New York to California. He used the immense network he gained in music to help maintain upkeep and boost expansion for his ascending real estate empire. He also established a successful credit repair business that helped people purchase the cars and houses of their dreams. Thomas even previewed his future ventures by influencing people to fly with Jet Smarter. This private airline company gave customers flights for quality at the time because it was his passion and dream to run a successful flight business, so he wanted to see the backend side of that business.

This man Thomas “Bubba” Harrison, originating from Queens, has a God-given acumen IQ, and this was only the start because years passed before the recent COVID era. Thomas and two colleagues pooled enough money to purchase a plane together. This motivated Harrison to enroll in Long Island Aviators School to work on his piloting certificate because he wanted to be more than an owner. Now, he is putting together his next ultra-successful business venture, Fly Flashy, which is progressing smoothly with a core base in Florida. Things are set in motion for it to become your new favorite airline soon. God fearing and passionate, hats off to Thomas Harrison for being a role model to artists worldwide and black men.

Flyboi Rich is someone that we talk to frequently at 4ShoMag. He’s one of the best rising artists out of Detroit, and just a look at his consistency in releases over the last few years, plus his rising streams on platforms (he’s had millions of streams) shows that the world is realizing it too. 

It’s been a while since we’ve caught up with what he’s doing, but, ahead of the release of his new single “Tokyo Drift,” we wanted to catch up with him quickly about where he’s been, what’s inspiring him, and what we can expect from “Tokyo Drift.” 

Check out our brief conversation below. 

Could you tell me a bit about where you’ve been since our last conversation?

I’ve been doing a lot of traveling studying planning buying real estate learning more about the business side of music and taking meetings with smaller labels. Ethika recently had me come in to talk. 

How has your career elevated? 

My streams have been going up and with that comes trouble. People have been hacking into my social media accounts so I’ve just been rebuilding them. I’m seeing streams go up over a million a month sometimes, so I appreciate whoever is listening to me and watching my videos.  

What’s the inspiration for your new music? 

My new releases are inspired by the drama that I’ve been going through, just life situations that I’ve been putting into the music. When you hear me, I’m putting my all so people who understand my struggles can identify with what I’m saying. I always make sure the punchlines and metaphors hit too, because that’s something I always focus on.  

What’s the message behind it?

The message behind it is to really talk crazy and speak your mind. Don’t let your voice get shut out. Open up and do whatever you want to do and take chances for what you want to become Don’t take shit from nobody. And to be honest, it’s also my story of coming from the trenches as an underdog.

What are you working on beyond this that your fans can wait on?

The next thing that I’m working on is definitely more music — starting with the release of “Tokyo Drift.” I’m also working on new ways to present my brand to people — whether it’s more clothes and fashion lines on the way, or being featured on bigger blogs and radios. You’re going to be seeing a lot more of me in the near future. 

Keep up with Flyboi Rich on Twitter and Instagram at @uknowflyboi.