BIOGRAPHY

Where it all began

Born and raised on the beautiful island of Anguilla, in the British Caribbean, Omari Banks found his musical calling at the tender age of five when he first took the stage in Milan, Italy to sing alongside his father Bankie Banx . This musical experience touched his heart and a star was born. Omari went on to win multiple talent shows, but later as a teenager turned his attention to the sport of Cricket, where he excelled locally, regionally and ultimately on the world stage as the first Anguillian to play Test Cricket for the West Indies in 2003, as well as being one of the three persons to be nominated for World Young Player of the Year by the prestigious Wisden Cricket Magazine.

Omari’s passion for music never waned and in 2010 Omari made the decision to return to his first love music, finding his inspiration through an eclectic array of music genres including traditional Jamaican Reggae accentuated with Rock and Blues backbeats. His style of music has an adult contemporary fusion that blends seamlessly with Lovers Rock and RnB.

With a lifetime of experiences and life lessons Omari immersed himself in songwriting and perfecting his musicianship. He dedicated himself to his music and created his debut album, “Move On” recorded in Kingston Jamaica and Houston Texas which charted #4 on the top ten reggae albums of 2015 in the popular and prestigious “German Riddim Magazine”. His debut single and video “Unafraid” was the Number #1 Song of 2013, on Caribbean regional TV station Tempo. Omari toured Europe with the Grammy Winning group, ‘Morgan Heritage”, on their Grammy Winning Album Tour “Strictly Roots”. Omari has toured consistently doing both festivals and clubs in the US and the Caribbean including South by South West (SXSW 2016) and the St Kitts Music Festival (2019) and continue to tour the US since 2021.

To date Omari has collaborated on songs with Peetah Morgan and Duane Stephenson; and on his upcoming album Omari has a number of collaborations with international recording Artistes. With a simple musical mission to spread messages of love, consciousness and inspiration, his assimilation of styles gives a unique touch to his brand of music. Omari has to date released albums such as “Move On”, “Move On Deluxe Edition”, “Sunlight” and in Spring 2024 will release his third studio album “My Life”.  “I  want to use the gifts I’ve been blessed with to have a positive influence on people and touch lives with the stories and talk about what’s really going on.”

Highlights

  • Former professional cricket player for West Indies
  • Son of legendary Bankie Banx
  • Omari Banks took center stage in Anguilla at a concert shown to a reach of over 17 millions via Caribvision lifestyle channel which currently airs on Cablevision Systems Corporation, an American cable television company serving areas surrounding New York City and in over 22 Caribbean territories, Quebec and Ontario Canada.
  • Omari Banks successful sold out Europe tour alongside Grammy Award winners Morgan Heritage
  • Omari visited Canada for Toronto Fashion Week as an Anguilla ambassador
  • Released album “Move On” and hit single feat Peetah Morgan charted top 10 worldwide
  • “Move On” Album is listed #4 on the Top Ten Reggae Albums of 2015 of the latest issue of popular prestigious German Riddim Magazine
  • Lead single “No Point To Prove” video was on rotation on VH1
  • Recently released single “Me and You” produced by multi-platinum, multi-Grammy nominee Jason “J Vibes” Farmer
  • Performed at SXSW

What others say?

« He sounds like a cross between Bob Marley and Bob Dylan. »
– NY Times 2/4/15

« He’s got a voice as calming as chamomile and charisma that bubbles like a champagne toast. He’s not just a dynamic performer, he writes and composes most of his own songs. Between his music and his magnetic mojo, one of Anguilla’s most beloved talents has the makings of an international superstar. »
– Vibe Magazine

« … Omari Banks. With his dashing good looks, rockstar stage presence and impressive #singer songwriter skills, the younger Banks is well poised to carry on his father’s legacy and take Anguillan reggae international. »
– Forbes

Omari Banks EPK