Today we’d like to introduce you to Omari Johnson.
Omari, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I don’t even know where to start. I’m still in the process of becoming my business while balancing school and work. I’m currently a Junior at Kennesaw State University fighting my way to get a degree in criminal justice. BUT the only thing with that is during the process, I figured that criminal justice isn’t my true passion but more of what I thought was something to do in order to satisfy what my parents wanted. My true passion is anything artsy. Literally, ANYTHING. I am skilled in multiple categories of art and also self-taught. I am a painter, I draw, write song lyrics and poems, I play the bass guitar, and I also model. These things were just hobbies in the beginning. Something to help me express myself outside of verbally speaking.
Has it been a smooth road?
It has not been an easy road at all to reach where I am today and this isn’t even my final destination. Along the way, I have been dealing with severe depression because I’ve always felt as if I wasn’t doing enough and because I bottle a lot of things up inside instead of releasing it to someone because I’m not comfortable with talking about things that I’ve been through to anyone yet. At one point, my depression made me suicidal but I am doing better with that now because I know for a fact that I’m worth something. Everyone is worth something… that’s for anyone who is also going through dark times. You can’t just run off the track in the middle of the race. You have to keep going; ESPECIALLY when there’s more to come! Another thing that I’m in the process of solving is how to get started. How can I get my name out there? I know that I can be really successful in something that I love doing and also spread messages simultaneously. Also, the thought of being mixed in with tons of people who are out here doing the same as me can be discouraging and make me feel like the chances are slim for me and my group of creatives to pop and be successful and well known, if not famous for something that we are good at and love doing. I made a promise to my group “1315” on my 21st birthday that I’d bring them up with me if something were to happen and vise versa. That’s something that I do remember from that night. Apparently, I was crying too but I don’t know about all that. I was drunk, cut me some slack. All love to them.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am an all around talented person. I am a fashion model, a painter, a guitarist and a writer that includes song lyrics, poems, and stories. I am most proud of the fact that I am self-taught within all of these talents. I can say that all of my work expresses who I am in my purest form whether if it’s lyrics, poetry, the way I dress, or paintings. I hold a lot of hidden meanings in my work that I’ll only share if asked because I like my work to be interpreted differently from every person that listens or views what I present. I’d say the fact that I am a storyteller through my talents set me apart from everyone else because I can tell these stories without using words. I can paint how I feel, or I can play my bass guitar in a way that’ll express my emotion for me through sound. Poetry and lyrics, of course, holds a lot of meaning and I’m also pushing myself to at least perform some poetry soon at Apache Cafe with a friend of mine, Jaz. It was originally her idea but she’s nervous to do it so I figured if I go up there with her, being just as nervous and perform some of my pieces, it will possibly give her some comfort to do something that she loves to do and possibly open doors for her and me.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
The traffic out in Atlanta is ridiculous. I’m sure anyone would say that. But other than that, Atlanta is booming with opportunities and creatives which is good for connections.
Contact Info:
- Phone: 4045106159
- Email: omarijohnson0@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_omariii_/
Image Credit:
Caylee Powell Instagram: @gypsys0uls
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