Omar Ali

Photo by @THEERICFORTS

President of 1017 Brick Squad Records

Tell us a little bit about yourself?

First off, I wanna thank you for having me. I’m a literal product of the music industry. My mother, father, and uncle are the members of the 70s Funk group “The Family Tree”. At 6 / 7 years of age, my father took me on the road with the group , so I grew up on the road and in clubs watching and performing with some of the greatest icons not just of that time but in music history such as Millie Jackson, Joe Tex, The Floaters, KC & the Sunshine Band, etc. At the age of 13, along with my cousin quadmaster Uno, we started a new edition styled group call New Attraction and we toured the country opening up for the New York fresh Fest in his early days alongside Legends such as Run D.M.C, Fat Boys, Whodini, Force MD’s, etc. I got my first record deal as a hip hop artist when I was 16 with 4Sight Records in Ft. Lauderdale where I was the youngest A&R in the industry next to Jermaine Dupree! I got my second deal when I was 19 with Polygram. Prior to becoming the president of 1017 Brick Squad, I was promoting shows around the country and managing some of the hottest upand-coming artists and industries. In 1993, I had the pleasure of meeting my brother and my friend, my Outlaw comrade Mr. Tupac Shakur! We instantly hit it off because I would live paralleled, as we both had Islamic, Black Panther and Masonic family ties. That initial meeting turned into my going on tour with him for three months, not as an artist, he just wanted me to come and hang out with him and that had to be three of the best months of my life. I miss him on a regular basis! I absolutely love the music industry. It’s in my blood, in my DNA! I’m a Proud father and in the words of Jay Z, “I’m not just a businessman, I’m a Business-Man”!

We were told you are an artist, correct?

Yes, I’ve been an official artist since I was 13. I started out singing in a group I started and we had a lot of local success in Jacksonville, Florida, where we were from. We had a lot of successful times opening up for major acts of the era, including New Edition, who we pretty much patent ourselves after. I started being a hip-hop artist around the age of 14 and got my first record deal at the age of 16 with 4Sight Records, as a part of the duo “Sunshine Rockers” with my cousin QuadMaster Uno. Things were on fire during that time. We were on one of the hottest labels in the South, with some of the rawest artists in the South such as MC ADE, Gigolo Tony and Gucci Crew! As a matter of fact, that’s how I met ‘Pac! We were opening up for him and Lil Kochese at the Orlando Fairgrounds! While on tour with him, he’s the one that changed my name and gave me the tag of The Southern Outlaw and I’ve been wearing that tag with honor every since! I absolutely love being an artist and performing, almost as much as I love being Mr President! That’s why one of my monikers is Mr Showtime! I released my first solo single in 15 years last year titled “No Other Love” (on ALL platforms). It was the last song that my cousin Quadmaster Uno produced for me before he passed a few years ago. It was a tribute to him. I tell people all the time that I’m either going to die in the studio or on stage. That’s how serious I am about this business.

How long have you been in the music industry?

Man Whew, my first active role in the music industry came in 1976 when I was 6 years old, I’m 50 years old now, so about 44 years old. My father, whether he was cheap or a genius, made me a part of the group around the age of 7. I learned to play piano then bass guitar from Mark Adams from the group Slave! From there, I became a part of the group, actually performing a skit, grabbing the bass and BOOM blowing everybody’s mind cause this lil kid is playing the bass like a vet! You know back in the 70’s it was affectionately called the Chitlin’ Circuit and as a kid it was some of the hottest nastiest (sexual) experiences of my life! Yea, my mom and dad always kept me backstage when I wasn’t performing because that was when I could get in with them, but of course I’m a kid, so when they were out front I was peeking out the door soaking it all in .... Ha! It was those experiences that stirred my fire to love this business and I knew early on that there was Nothing else I wanted to do with my life!

Photo by @THEERICFORTS

Who are some of your role models when it comes to the music industry?

There has been alot of people that went into building me into the person that I am today. Of course my role models have to start at home with my mother and father. They helped shape not just my attitude, but also my passion, my work ethic and my business principles and ethics. My father taught how to be strong in business, stand up for what you want and not take any shit. My mother taught me how to listen, have compassion and find the hidden gem in people. From there, I would have to say my next role models would have to be my early managers. They helped to keep me focused and cultivate my gifts at the time when I was young and impressionable. They really help to bring out the Best in Me as a person and as an artist. After that or really around that same time, our group had the pleasure of being a part of the New York Fresh Fest and touring some of its dates. This is where the business side of my development began. Not only was the tour manager Ricky Walker but I used to hear Russell Simmons and Rick Rubin and watched how they handled business and dealt with artists. Believe it or not, I learned a hell of a lot from ‘Pac during the 3 months that I was constantly around him. He was so diverse in so many things. From literature to history to music to science! Our talks were intense and just about every night was an adventure. One day we may be at a black tie event and later on that night we’re in some dark dingy basement in the hood at a house party ..... It was Crazy!

What part did you play before you got to where you are now?

When I was first signed on to the label, I was signed to be the executive A&R for the Southeast region. It was my job at the time to get on the road, pound the pavement looking for new talent. Bring that talent back to the label and develop that talent to be label Ready for shows, interviews, public outings, even crisis management. After a year or so, that’s when I got the call to be President.

Who were some of your influences when it comes to music?

I know I mention him alot but ‘Pac was a major influence in my music/business upbringing. At the time, we were only a year apart. I was like 23 and he was 22, both of us were so young and full of fire! I’m a Showman, so I used to watch and study groups and artists that put on real shows and wowed the audience. Artists like James Brown and Otis Redding .... Groups like New Edition, Earth Wind & Fire! Honestly, I think that my single biggest influence came in 1988, when we were a part of the Blacker than Black Tour with Public Enemy, Stetsasonic, Big Daddy Kane, EPMD and Sir Mix Alot! Being around so many persons, not just the group, but persons that not only did I admire in the industry but had the same or very similar mindsets that I grew up with was almost an out-of-body experience for me as an 18 year old young man. Chuck D .... Muslim! Big Daddy Kane .... Muslim! Stetsasonic .... Muslim! I was right at home! They pretty much took me under they’re weaned for the few days I was around them and talked to me about real shit. We used to get together I loved before or after a show and have like a round table type of discussion on life, music, relationships, politics, the state of the black community, etc.

Who is your favorite artist and why?

You know, music is my life, is not just what I do it’s who I am. I have a lot of favorite artists because I listen to so much music from different genres and different time periods. For instance, although I’m the President of a generally hip hop label, I’m a rock ‘n’ roll kid at heart. My favorite groups Aerosmith and the Beatles because not only did they help change a music culture their songs had content and substance. I’m a fan of country music. I like older artists like: Garth Brooks, Tim McGraw and Reba McIntyre. Country music is about pain, joy, heartache, heartbreak, redemption, and getting past all the bullshit that life throws at you. My 2 top artists of All Time are TuPac and of course the Purple Haze himself Jimi Hendrix! Both of them were years ahead of their time! Their music transformed the way that people looked at life. Think about it. Even on Hit Em Up. Haha! Up, which is arguably the greatest diss song ever made, not only could you feel his rage and every line but that song teaches you a lesson about loyalty. He was good to Biggie, he looked after Biggie as an up-and-coming artist and always showed him love whenever they ran into one another and those days. But the moment he felt betrayed, the gloves were off and anyone that got in suffered the consequences ... Haha!

What is your opinion of today’s mumble rappers?

Look, I think that most of us older heads in the industry are in agreement when I say that the majority of these younger artists that you hear on the radio and their music has no real content or substance and is void. Honestly though, that’s the systematic plan by the larger labels, to keep the people Void! But you know that’s a changing of the times. Music evolves in stages but always revolves. So I have to think back to the music scene when I was growing up. In the 80’s, New York ruled the hiphop world. Then, Cali popped up on scene. So really during the early to late 80’s just about every teenager or person that loved rap music wanted to be from New York or Cali. Well, in the South, namely Florida, we had our own thing going on. It was all about Bass Music for us! While New York had Rakim, we had MC Shy D. While New York had Afrika Bambaataa and the Zulu nation, we had the Bass Mechanics. While New York had KRS One, we 2 Live Crew! And I’ll never forget I’ll just about everyone look down on

Florida as an hour based movement as an illegitimate sort-of of the way that a lot of old school people in the industry look at these so-called mumble rappers. I’ve learned to just really take it in stride. There are a few that I’m starting to like and some that I don’t. So basically if you want to listen you listen if you don’t change the station.

What is your feedback on the future of music then and now?

To me, right now, the industry is so stale and dull! Of course, every now and then there are some glimpses of greatness, but then it’s overshadowed by more blah. I miss the fun days of music. The days of 69 Boyz, Quad City DJ’s, N.W.A., Public Enemy, Cash Money .... Those were good times in life and music.

What’s your feedback on hip hop and politics?

You know music, specifically hip hop, and politics has always been synonymous with one another! Hiphop has always been the voice of the Grassroots people. The voice of the revolution! Just look at what Jay Z did for the Obama campaign. In the 90’s, Bill Clinton used hiphop music on the campaign trail both times he ran and even quoted hip hop artists in his speeches! There’s always been a Love/ Hate relationship between hiphop and politics like when N.W.A. had “Fuck The Police” or when ‘Pac had the song “Bitch” and Delores Tucker and Bob Dole were trying to crucify him for political gain! Overall, hip hop and politics will always be two tits on the same bull.

How did u get tied into the 1017 BrickSquad family?

A few years ago, before I became President, I was managing a hot young artist that was making his way up the ranks. Well, it just so happened that we had just gotten on a mixtape DJ Most Wanted PacMan, Snoop’s first cousin. PacMan was a fan of the youngin that I was managing so he got me in touch with a friend of his, OG Mack Drama (the BrickSquad General), who has a radio show, Top Star Hip Hop. OG and I kept in contact jets and there through social media until I came back for another interview, this time with my brother, Serious Penny. About 2 weeks after the interview, OG and I were literally messaging of another on Twitter. I was messaging him about transitioning my managing back into the A&R sector and he was messaging me to see if I would be interested in becoming an A&R for the imprint. The rest is history!

Being apart of a label with such a household name how does it feel?

Everyday is a blessing! I tell people that I live my dream every single day. Like I said before, this is all I’ve Ever wanted to do with my life! But “Heavy is the Head that Wears The Crown”. It’s been up and down but rewarding. They say that “with great power comes great responsibility” .... That’s my life! I guess it’s just like anything else except I’m responsible for everybody and everything ... And honestly, I wouldn’t have it Any other way. I was born and built to do exactly what I’m doing.

Photo by @THEERICFORTS

Who is the founder of 1017 BrickSquad, and when was it founded?

The founder, our foundation, of 1017 BrickSquad is none other than hip hop mogul, Gucci Mane. It was founded sometime around 2007. Prior to that, he was at Mizay Entertainment and had So Icey Entertainment. So once he left Mizay and formed BrickSquad, the landscape of southern hip hop changed forever! In the past, we were home to Waka Flaka, OJ Da Juiceman and countless others! At the present, he’s no longer with BrickSquad but is Forever 1017! He’s moved on and started other endeavors once he was released and wishes always wish him well .... Hell he’s Gucci, Success is his!

How many artists do you represent under the 1017 brand?

At the present, we have several artists being groomed and developed on our roster. The two premier artists that we’re pushing at the moment are: Serious Penny (IG & Twitter @SeeriousPenny) and Kaoz Monroe (IG & Twitter @OfficialKaozMonroe). Both are Really dope and we’re very proud of the success they’ve had so far! We’re always looking for shining stars that can and will be an asset to the label. I’m very picky about the quality of music that is signed to the label. We get hundreds of requests and music every month of artists wanting to be signed .... Some have made the cut but right now Serious Penny and Kaoz Monroe are at the top of the pyramid.

Can you name the artist and the genre of music they sing?

Serious Penny is a Florida based rapper that has been putting in his dudes for a while now and Kaoz Monroe is one of the dopest M.C. ‘s out of Chicago and the only female artist on the label!

When you were climbing up the ladder of success, when did you find out you was chosen to be in line for the Presidency seat of the label?

According to OG, he was already considering me when I was on the interview call with my brother, Serious Penny! But had his mind made up the day I actually signed on to be A&R that he wanted me to be President!

What were you doing when you got that call to be President of 1017 Empire?

It was crazy how it happened actually. Myself, OG Mack Drama (CEO), and the president at the time were on a conference call discussing an issue we were having at the time with an artist. It was a good yet awkward call, I just knew something was going on. At the end of the call, OG said that he needed to talk to me about something! Make a long story short, we had a long talk about what we both thought the label needed and being on the same page about the direction of the label. Towards the end of the call, he said, “Oh yea, by the way, I want you to be the new President of the label” ..... Click! how can you say no to an offer like that, the offer of a lifetime, from OG Mack Drama!

Now that you have become President of 1017 BrickSquad and the Empire what was the first thing you did?

The first thing I did was have a conference call to talk to all the artists and personnel at the time. I wanted to speak to everyone to let them know my expectations. At the end of the call, some made the cut .... Some didn’t! Nothing personal, just Business!

“HEAVY IS THE HEAD THAT WEARS THE CROWN” — OMAR ALI

#1017 PRESIDENT #1017BRICKSQUAD #MACKDRAMARECORDS #MAFIAGANGNATION #1017MAFIAGANG