One song was 10 years in the making, the rest about two to three, but now OmaleyB’s album Live More has been released for the world to connect with and enjoy.
The album had been mixed and mastered by a member of the Grammy Recording Academy Texas, Oklahoma Chapter, as well as Studio Engineer Mark Kuykendall and Mix and Master Engineer CL McCoy. The title track on the album and OmaleyB’s personal favorite song from the project, “Live More,” is the song he took time to polish.
“The mindset it puts you in, it captures you,” OmaleyB told the Black Wall Street Times. “It reminds me to forget what people say, what people are trying to bring you down, and the natural catastrophes of life. The hardship of life is, will you then decide to live? If all you had was the time that you were given, did you live? Would you be satisfied with it? And I think people ask that question too late.”
A long time coming, OmaleyB album worth every minute
The Black Wall Street Times attended OmaleyB’s listening party, where he explained the song had been a melody that he performed live 10 years ago.
As everyone wiped their eyes from tears after being moved by the music, a man approached OmaleyB and asked him if it was released and if he had the masters to it. At the time, OmaleyB did not have the song’s masters, and the man said “Don’t perform that song again until you have the masters.”
Ten years later, OmaleyB performed the song at his listening party after it had been mixed and mastered awaiting November 2024’s album release.
“He puts so much care into his music,” Comedian Evan Hughes told the Black Wall St. Times. “Omaley won’t do anything and drop it like within the year. If he does something he works on it and polishes. The music feels like he takes his time with it.”
No Rain, No Flowers
Hughes is featured in a skit on the album that comes before the song, “No Rain, No Flowers.” OmaleyB says it’s one of his most fun songs to perform. He got the idea when he was in Kansas City walking down the street.
“There was a guy in Kansas City, and I saw his shirt, it said ‘No rain, no flowers,’” OmaleyB says. “It was raining in my life at that time. Then I was like, dang, you can’t get rain without flowers. They, go hand in hand.”
Hughes channeled his inner meteorologist and gave a newscast as if the world was ending, and it was hilarious as expected from one of Tulsa’s most famous comics. It’s the first record in which Hughes has been involved.
“It’s so deep, it’s some real Black Wall Street Music, real Tulsa music,” Hughes says. “If people want authenticity in their music, then this is the record that they should get.”
His review of the album and his favorite song, the one he is featured on, is that OmaleyB showed vulnerability and truth within his lyrics.
“It’s so based in reality, it’s something that speaks to every human being,” Hughes says. “It really feels like an album for all people, and I think that’s what’s really beautiful about it is how he makes everybody feel included.”
Dance with Your Mother
“His music video for his mom I thought was one of the best music videos I have ever seen, definitely out of Tulsa,” Hughes says.
OmaleyB performed a special song live for News On 6 dedicated to his mother, whose birthday was Wednesday. The song, “Dance with Your Mother,” came from a personal experience when OmaleyB realized he hadn’t danced with his mom, and she was later shot in 2022.
She survived, and at the listening party, they danced as he sang his song to her. She owns the royalties for the song and he first sang it for her on Mother’s Day.
“Putting on his music is always a soulful experience,” Hughes says. “To me, he’s on another level. He’s got the talent, and he’s got the character as well.
Ramal Brown hosted OmaleyB’s listening party for Live More. He’s been a fan for a long time.
“‘Dance with Your Mother’ song is one of my favorites because my mom and I like to dance. She’s one who will immediately cut a rug, so I can relate to that song.”
How Life Goes
The track, “How Life Goes,” actually comes before “No Rain, No Flowers.” It foreshadows the storm and the light. Both songs teach the listener to appreciate the adversity in life and to live through the good and the bad.
“How life goes, that is truly my motto. When you just been in a spot where everything is going right and wrong at the same time,” OmaleyB told the Black Wall St. Times. “You go through life like that, and are you prepared to deal with it when it comes.”
In the middle verse of “How Life Goes,” OmaleyB shares a story about his mother, his daughter, his father, and him having money and then losing it. He shared his story knowing it would connect with people who have ups and downs and in-betweens.
“People are so afraid of being vulnerable in those moments when you feel alone,” OmaleyB says. “No, there’s more people who feel like you than what you think.”
Huggies and Kisses
“My daughter is everything,” OmaleyB says. “She’s my pride by joy. She’s a genius. She is so lovable. She’s caring. I didn’t write her a song until she was born and I was playing it and she would crawl from the other room. She heard them chords she’d be like, ‘That’s my song.’”
OmaleyB says it would be great if the song got picked up by Huggies Diapers or a movie because his daughter Legaci has the royalties to “Huggies and Kisses,” and he made it for everyone who has a child in their life that they love beyond expression.
Miss Me Some Days
“‘Miss Me Some Days,’ it’s about my dad,” OmaleyB says.
The track isn’t just a nostalgic piece; it’s an exploration of the complex relationship between father and son, especially the longing for guidance during pivotal moments in life.
“You know, there’s a spot, and I think in every man’s life where you need advice. You need your, dad your whole life,” OmaleyB says. “Even when you’re younger or in a crisis in your life, you need your dad because you need somebody to give you advice, like direction.”
OmaleyB reflected on fond recollections of his father’s sayings, particularly a phrase that resonates throughout the piece.
“He was like, ‘Might as well hug me now… because one day, you’re gonna want him and not have him,’” OmaleyB says, emphasizing how his father’s playful yet serious advice shaped his perspective.
“He used to say, ‘Hate me now, thank me later,’ I feel like at this point in my life, when I needed guidance, you’re not there and your words are right. I was gonna miss you.” OmaleyB says words that have since become a profound reminder in his adulthood.
“Miss Me Some Days” ultimately embodies a bittersweet realization—the need for guidance that remains even after a loved one is gone. This song is not just a tribute but a powerful message about love, loss, and the everlasting impact of a parent’s wisdom. For listeners, it serves as a reminder to cherish these moments of guidance while they last, and for OmaleyB, it’s a deeply personal expression of longing, memory, and gratitude.
OmaleyB album strikes many chords
Ramal Brown first met OmaleyB through his music video for “We Died in Church” and seeing a lot of his friends star in the project. He also went to OmaleyB’s family church and was the first one in the family he spoke to. Brown says the album speaks to listeners.
“Through every trial and challenge in life, there is always an opportunity to see the silver lining in life, and through every challenge, we have an opportunity to continue to breathe, and live, and with that, we can live more to experience more,” Brown says.
“Just expect that the storm won’t be there forever, just hunker down and expect a brighter perspective through the storm, that’s how I view Live More in a sense.”
Brown says it was well worth the wait and is excited for OmaleyB’s future.
“I love the album, it’s artistic, it’s spiritual, he’s passionate about what he’s singing about,” Brown says. “He took his time with the album. I expect to see him tour and do great things.”
Tea Rush on OmaleyB album: It’s a little more raw”
TaNesha Rushing is an artist; Tea Rush is her stage name. Based in Tulsa, Rushing is also the founder of Mi Tea Lounge. She is featured on the second album that will follow Live More, which is more about love and relationships. Her thoughts on OmaleyB’s recent release were that it was different from what he has released in the past but in a great way.
“It’s very heartfelt, it’s a little more raw, it lets you inside his personal journey in life, and it’s emotional,” Rushing said. You can get all the emotions in one with this one.”
Rushing was an audience member at the listening party and did not hesitate to get on her feet and dance when it was called for, clapping to the beat, and just having a great time.
“If they listen to the entire album, they will be encouraged to do it today, don’t wait, whatever you’re trying to do just get it done,” Rushing said. “We got one life, don’t give up on yourself and just do it.”
OmaleyB hopes that listeners will connect with the album.
“I would like for people to see their own life inside of this, connect with the parts that you connect to,” OmaleyB says. “I ask that you be brave enough to face the things that hurt you.”
What’s Next
OmaleyB will go on a national tour and then release a second sister album to Live More called Love Sign Language. Tulsa FMAC helped sponsor this album.
You can follow OmaleyB on Instagram @Omaley_B, Youtube and Facebook @OmaleyB.