OMAR LYE FOOK MBE

Omar's career is a testament to his enduring talent and influence. First gaining international attention via that signature hit, There's Nothing Like This, which launched his series of standout solo albums, collaborations with both legendary artists like Stevie Wonder, Lamont Dozier, the late Angie Stone, Leon Ware, Robert Glasper and Erykah Baduthrough to the current crop of cutting-edge music makers such as Giggs, and a catalogue of side projects spanning decades. 

Omar has consistently evolved his sound while staying true to his roots. That approach continues in 2025, as he celebrates his 40th anniversary as a recording artist with the release of his 9th studio album, Brighter The Days, which has been lauded to be his most self-assured, well rounded, eclectic, and continues to highlight his trademark vocals and songwriting. 

His unique, instantly identifiable touches always result in nothing but memorable music and further augments his multi-generational, worldwide appeal as new generations of fans continue to discover Omar's timeless sound. Often tagged 'neo soul' or even 'acid jazz'-the truth is Omar is his own one-man genre, as this latest album attests. The highlights across Brighter The Days are many, This Thing Called Life is an epic work worthy of a film soundtrack, the title track is a funky Al Green-inspired number, Research is a dancefloor club anthem, and the varied collaborations with rapper Giggs, India Arie, Raheem DeVaughn, Eric Roberson, Ledisi, and Jeru The Damaja span sounds and styles most artists cannot reach.

Several numbers including There's Much Love In The World feature lush string arrangements by Chris Cameron (George Michael, Randy Crawford, Tina Turner) and the entire collection displays influences from funk, hip hop, library music, samba and Latin textures and even a pumping rhythm & blues tinged, storming duet with Paul Weller. Omar describes Brighter The Days as his most accomplished work yet: "Each album is an evolution, if you will. But I'd like to think this is my magnum opus." He also highlights the significance of orchestral elements in his music: "The strings influence is from me playing in an orchestra, because there's a certain vibration that you get, especially with a large orchestra," he notes. "There's nothing quite like that feeling of hearing all those strings play together, and that's why I always like to implement them in the music." This new project continues Omar's long-standing collaboration with Impressive Collective's Greg Boraman, which began in 2013 with The Manon Freestyle Records and continued with Love In Beats and The Omar Anthology. "Music is what I live for "Omar states" but so too are my children. Brighter The Days just means something better is coming for all of us." 

Omar Lyefook MBE – A career overview Omar's full story starts in 1968, he was born in London on October 14, and raised in Canterbury, Kent. Omar comes from a deeply musical family. His father, Byron Lye-Fook, was a drummer for legends such as Doris Troy, Bob Andy & Marcia Griffiths, while his brother, Grammy-winning producer Scratch Professer, made waves in the DJ world at just 13. Omar's early years were steeped in classical training, playing trumpet, piano, bass, and percussion. He studied at the Guildhall School of Music and Chetham's, later receiving an Honorary Doctorate from Guildhall. 

Omar's breakthrough came with There's Nothing Like This (1990), a silky ballad that propelled him to fame. Originally released on his father Byron's Kongo label, the song's reissue on Gilles Peterson's Talkin' Loudin 1991 landed in the UK Top 20. His next albums, Music (1992) and For Pleasure (1994), showcased his expanding artistry, featuring collaborations with Carleen Anderson, Leon Ware, and Lamont Dozier. Hits like Saturday, Outside, and Little Boy cemented his reputation. By 1997, Omar had signed with RCA, releasing This Is Not A Love Song, which included a standout cover of The Stranglers' Golden Brown and duets with Syreeta Wright. His genre-blending sound fusing soul, jazz, Latin, and Caribbean influences earned him the title of 'The King of British Neo-Soul.' 

In 2001, Omar moved to French label Naïve Records for Best By Far, featuring collaborations with Erykah Badu and Kele Le Roc. His 2006 album Sing (If YouWant It), co-produced with Scratch Professer, featured Common, Angie Stone, Rodney P, and Estelle. The biggest coup, however, was Feeling You, a duet with longtime admirer Stevie Wonder, who had promised Omar a song back in 1992. Fourteen years later, Wonder called Omar out of the blue, leading to an unforgettable session that produced one of Omar's most celebrated tracks. Over the years, Omar expanded into acting, playing Avery B aker in the legendary BBC television soap opera EastEnders, starring in the one-man stage play Lovesong, and making numerous television appearances. His contributions to British music were recognised in 2012 when he was awarded an MBE, presented by Prince Charles (now King Charles), who requested a copy of his next album. 

In 2013, renowned London soul boy and broadcaster Mark Webster tipped off Freestyle Records' Greg Boraman that Omar was looking for a new label, resulting in a series of well received projects, the first being 2013's The Man, which was hailed as one of his best. Featuring collaborations with Pino Palladino, Daniel Fridell, and Hidden Jazz Quartett, the album reaffirmed Omar's ability to innovate while retaining his unmistakable sound. 

In 2017 Omar followed up with Love In Beats, an ambitious project featuring Leon Ware, Robert Glasper, Ty, Jean-Michel Rotin, Natasha Watts, The Floacist, and Mayra Andrade. 2019's career spanning The Omar Anthology demonstrated, as if there was any doubt this artist's consistent and long running excellence. In parallel, Omar continued to collaborate extensively, touring and recording with British saxophone legend Courtney Pine on Black Notes From The Deep (Freestyle Records) and supporting Stevie Wonder at his 2016 Hyde Park concert. 

His work with The British Collective alongside Junior Giscombe, the late Noel McKoy, Don-E, and Imagination's Leee John further showcased his impact on UK soul. Reflecting on his four decade long professional career: "I have my own sound, and I'm very proud of that, I'm still growing, still learning. My whole life goes into the music, and it's just a continued blessing." With his latest album and a career still ascending, Omar remains a singular force in British soul music, proving that true artistry only deepens with time.