Omer Interview with Junkyard
Via Junkyard-English Translation-Note-Translation may not all be correct but this is an attempt for those who dont speak Norwegian.
Omer Bhatti has been a household name for many years. The story of MJ's apprentice from Norway has been frequently raised in the media. Now it's time to get acquainted with Omer as a separate individual and artist. The road has been long and well-documented, as he shows in his new series Two Life.
Lyrics: Kelly Brice. Photo: Patrick Oldenborg In the new documentary series Two Lives, takes Omer us on a journey through history. One gets a different knowledge of the artist's life, than what has been shown. He also gives an insight into how it is traveling between Oslo and LA while he builds a career and maintain a relationship with the inevitable is an important part of his life - Michael Jackson. This is his story told in their own words. To build a career in the footsteps of the world's greatest artist is not always a simple matter, but it is not the Omer samples. After a few years under record label artist is free to do what he wants, and put their own tracks. Cooperation with Michaels son Prince, is the first project on its own, and perhaps the most important so far in his career. - I will not be a hitjager, and think about what works on radio. One must of course have it in mind, but now I want to do create things closer to the heart, and that falls more naturally to me. Previously I made more commercial music. There's really nothing listen to normal.With me goes it goes most in hip-hop, and it was very important for me to make music both my boys and I crave. "Automatic" has raw beats and a good energy, while it has a playful sound. It's more me. - The video for "Automatic" looks like a Hollywood movie. What was the idea behind the concept? - I was in LA and played a mix of the song in the car to Prince. He loved your song and started talking about video immediately. He threw out ideas and had lots of pictures in my head. We agreed that it had been fun with cooperation, but let it lie. When I was back in Norway, he called and said he wanted to produce the video. He had never produced anything before but was in the early stages of an own production company called Kings Sons Productions. It was very important to him that the first project would be with me. I went over to LA with a director from Norway (Christoper Perez and cinematographer Mario Poljac), but the process proved would be much more complicated than what we had expected. One would think that LA was the world's easiest place to film, but we thoroughly mistaken. Were you more than three people had to seek permission to film, and it cost money. Before we started the project, I told Prince that it was very important that we did not take any shortcuts. Because he is who he is, he could easily pull the threads, make money, spons, product placement, and all we had intruded. But we would do it all yourself, and really work hard for it. We utilized us of some things, which I would think is unusual, at least in the industry. Because things cost much we lost all locations and thus we lost the whole story and vision for the music video. Most of the budget was agreed rent of film crew and actors, and we then had only two days left to Shoot anything usable. We had to start from scratch and ended up renting a bus, drive into the desert to film something there. We also used the family home of The Jacksons with permission of the grandmother of Prince. What initially was to be a street video through the city streets, ended up being the biggest production I've ever been with. I think the result is five times more expensive than what it really was. - How was it to work with "little brother"? - I had never seen me that we were going to work that way. It was not just weird to work with him, but also it suddenly to accept orders.I've really seen him grow up. I was there the first time he said a word, and the first time he took a step. I used even changing diapers on him. Of course it is little wonder that he produces my video, but the whole thing was a teamwork. Previously I produced my own videos, so I helped him on his way and directed the wrong way. You can say it's a little brother complex that hangs again, hehe.
- What do you think Michael had felt about cooperation? - When I think about it now, probably would Michael think it was very funny. He had probably never imagined that we would work together, and I think in fact that he had been quite proud. The result ended up being very cinematic, and we love movies. Michael was very film interests. When he lived, we used to watch movies without sound and just studying the pictures. Prince gained a lot of knowledge through childhood. - What are you working on now? - Now I've worked on the documentary for several months. There is a mini series that shows the challenges of living half of my time in Norway and LA There are two great contrasts. The series also examines some of the challenges I face when it comes to the press, and how I handle it. Michael will always come up as a topic of conversation. It is clearly underlying question - will I ever be able to achieve anything in the media without Michael shows up? Although I do not believe it, for it is too large. There will always be latent. The series was anyway more personal than what I expected, coming deeper into me as a person. It feels nice that people get to know me. - Do you feel that association with Michael is a problem? - Most people see it as a plus, but it's something negative on it too. It becomes much more difficult for me to bring up things I've worked hard. There are many artists who are cool and have it going, but do not have an interesting story to tell. With me it's the reverse. My story is so exciting that everything else is overlooked. The story is a huge part of me, that's one thing I'm proud. The challenge is to separate private life from the public, especially by collaborating with Prince. I always try to separate it, but now slipping it into another. - What is the biggest challenge you face in? - To build an identity around MJ Beetle is the biggest challenge. The same applies to his children, nephews, nieces and other relatives.Because he has been such a big part of my life, is his inheritance with me every single day. I'm just trying to be a separate individual, although people would like to draw parallels to Michael. Sometimes I have to shy away from things that really naturally to me, just to create and build my own identity. I can in a way never be too much MJ, although it really is natural for me. It's the same with Bruce Lee. He is my biggest inspiration, but I will not be a copy. I always try to be myself. Continues below
- Do you feel that you have big shoes and fill? - Yes, but I felt more of that before. Now I'm trying to not worry so much about other people's expectations or opinions. After Michael died, there were many MJ fans who thought that could swear and have tattoos, because it's something Michael would not have done.Then I felt that I fell a bit in a bubble. Half of my life I lived in Holmlia with the guys, which is also a big side of me that I want to express. I am a private individual, I can not please MJ fans. I want people to like me for who I am. There have been so many eyes on me on the way up. Nice that people are helped to see you grow, but it also creates a lot of pressure. - In the series gets an insight into life in the USA and Norway. What do you think are the biggest differences in the Norwegian versus the US market? - It is certainly a major platform for what I will do in the United States. With both singing and dancing, I'm a completely different type of entertainer that differ in what you normally find in the Norwegian market. The only negative is that it is much larger market, and thus more competitive United States. - Where do you feel most at home? - I'm not Norwegian enough for the Norwegian, and not foreign enough out for foreigners. In the United States they are more open, and I feel more at home there than I do here. Although I plan on moving there several times, I started putting more appreciative of Norway in recent years, this is where I want a base. - What is the biggest lesson you are left with Michael? - I learned a lot from him. Not only the things he told me, but also by being around and just observe. He planted many seeds in me, that sprouts and is expressed now. It is not until now I realize how much influence he actually had on me as a person. The seeds have only been there in the unconscious. The biggest lesson I am left with is that one must not be too naive. I saw Michael in different situations, and feel that it is the biggest mistake he made. He was naive and proud too much of people. It does not normally to be a negative thing, but in this business, people use it for their own benefit. They love to exploit people. This is the business of snakes and sharks. - Is there anything else fun that's ahead? - Yes! One of my dreams was recently met, when I got the opportunity to collaborate with clothing brand Les Deux about a limited edition caps collection. Since I was little I've always been very fond of using caps and Les Deux is a cult brand. I also have a special Kids Life merchandise for collection coming out after the New Year. Having a creative freedom gives me an enormous amount of pleasure. The entire process of creating things, and in retrospect could look back on good results is what I live for. I hope I can do the same with the case of the collection. The documentary can be found on VGTV, where it gets posted new episodes every Sunday.
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