Koko in Camden boasts a capacity of close to two thousand and on this chilling Camden evening, every inch large enough to squeeze a pair of feet is covered from 7.30pm. All have gathered to see Omarion, who on the back of the release of fourth album Sex Playlist, has been brought to the capital via events company Musicalize.
Three hours later Aaron, our host for the evening, steps onto the stage for a final time and whipps the already eager crowd into a frenzy for the night’s main act. Aaron’s departure is swiftly followed by the appearance of Omarion’s signature backdrop; a thorn laced O with a crown nestled at its head. With that, the lights dim, the crowd heaves in expectation and Omarion wearing black boots, a red chequered shirt and gold rimmed shades enters from back stage.
He has a red bandana that covers his kempt afro and sports a black hoody around his waist. Hopping and twisting to Drake’s ‘Legend’ as he enters, he takes the mic in both hands, tosses the stand aside and jumps straight into ‘Show Me’, a track taken from his latest album.
Whether it’s his glittering solo material or his harmonious grooves as a part of legendary R&B group B2K, Omarion’s back catalogue runs deep and he provides fans with a rousing reminder accordingly; first starting with ‘Entourage’, skipping into ‘O’ before eventually mooring at ‘Ice Box’. It’s a young crowd but at an Omarion show, age is evidently forgotten as all in attendance squeal every word, growing more frantic with each croon.
By the middle of his set, Omarion is in his element, smoothly bouncing across stage, never missing a beat or a note. The crowd respond, thronging with even more energy and so it’s not long before he jumps into the audience to select a handful of ladies to join him on stage. After minutes of searching, two beefy security guards haul the hand picks over the front barriers and Omarion resurfaces, serenading them to ‘Do It’ and ‘M.I.A’.
After taking things further back with B2K’s anthemic ‘Bump, Bump, Bump’ he closes things with ‘Post to Be’, the track responsible for the Omarion revival. He’s grateful to once again grace centre stage and in a rare reflective moment, he stands motionless, removes his shades and peers around the packed venue. Then the second is gone and he dives into ‘Post To Be’ for one last time.
Words by Aniefiok Ekpoudom
@_Aniefiok_
Matt Tarr
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