You Rate It: OMI’s “Cheerleader” Video

Words by Jesse Serwer—

OMI’s “Cheerleader” isn’t new—there’s been audio online for at least a year—but the catchy pop reggae tune has picked up steam lately, and now has a sharp-looking (if slightly corny), story-driven video that can only help its cause. The “Cheerleader” of the title isn’t one of those pompom-waving girls at sports games but a supportive woman with her man’s best interest at heart, as illustrated in the video’s Bonnie and Clyde-style bank heist. With its sax-y, accessible riddim from Shabba Ranks/Patra producer Clifton “Specialist” Dillon, “Cheerleader” has the potential to be a major international hit and put OMI, a young singer from Clarendon, Jamaica, with echoes of Tarrus Riley in his voice, on the map. The video definitely doesn’t look like anything you’ve seen from a recent reggae act—it was shot in Oregon. Watch “Cheerleader” below, and, if you like what you see, check his video for “Standing On All 3’s”.