Way back in 2008, this genial Jamaican singer wrote a little ditty called “Cheerleader”; four years later, he recorded it with producers Specialist and Sly Dunbar. The song became a small hit back home, and OMI went on with his career. But in 2014 Ultra Records commissioned German DJ Felix Jaehn to remix the bubbly ode to female subservience, and the trendy tropical house sheen he overlaid on the all-but-forgotten tune catapulted it to the top of the charts in America. OMI capitalized on his newfound fame by releasing his debut full-length, Me 4 U, in October; Salaam Remi, known for providing Nas and Amy Winehouse with sleek funk tracks, acted as executive producer. The follow-up single, “Hula Hoop,” hasn’t gotten as many spins — but few pop stars know as well as OMI that success can take a while.
For the full list please see: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/20-biggest-breakouts-of-2015-20151228/omi-20151221
