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.

Now, you think that Omega The Poet’s latest is an ode to the civil rights activist of the same name, but it’s quite the opposite. It’s actually about getting together with an amazing woman that’s just as spectacular. This is a soulful smash featuring Innanet James and Tajé that you don’t want to miss.

Check it out below.

Lil MC, the Latina powerhouse popping out of the Bay Area is back with Flex Máquina, a 15-track album that redefines genre boundaries. Known for her fierce lyrical dexterity and smooth bilingual flow, Lil MC’s latest project solidifies her place as a cultural force in the industry. Seamlessly transitioning between English and Spanish, she brings a vibrant energy to her art that few can match.

With standout singles like “CumBack” featuring Hd of Beardface, “They Don’t Need Me,” and “Tormenta” with ZZay and Zenaloa, Flex Máquina is a musical journey through beats, stories, and emotions that resonate with hip-hop heads and new listeners alike. Opening up October strong, Lil MC’s highly anticipated album arrives as a statement, an expression of resilience, and a testament to her indelible impact on hip-hop.

Emerging from Oakland’s dynamic rap battle circuit, Lil MC quickly carved out her space as one of the underground scene’s most prominent voices. Her commanding stage presence and quick-witted verses have set her apart, earning her spots alongside icons like Jacquees, Too Short, and E-40. Fans who have witnessed her ceiling-shattering career, have experienced an artist who is both authentic and unapologetic.

Lil MC is not only a top-tier lyricist but also a trailblazer in production, standing among the 3% of female music producers globally. Since 2018, her beats have enhanced her artistic reach, adding a self-produced edge that amplifies her impact. Her commitment to hip-hop goes beyond the studio; she’s a passionate advocate for education and empowerment. Through her Women’s Empowerment Hip Hop curriculum at the Oakland-based nonprofit Hip Hop For Change, Lil MC is inspiring the next generation, teaching kids to create beats with block coding, sparking creativity and confidence in young artists.

As an internationally recognized Cultural Ambassador of Hip Hop for the U.S. Embassy, Lil MC promotes Bay Area artists while advocating for women’s empowerment in music. In 2020, she founded Queens of the Underground, a platform uplifting women’s voices in the industry, and her role as a voting member of the Bay Area Recording Academy chapter highlights her deep commitment to the art.

From video game features to Billboard placements, Lil MC’s influence reaches far and wide. Now’s the time to dive into her latest lyrical offering, Flex Máquina. In doing so, immerse yourself into her world. With every beat and bar, Lil MC inspires, uplifts, and pushes the culture forward. Press play, and let Lil MC take you on a bicultural sonic journey that’s as powerful as it is personal.

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