OMARION: “…GET YOUR FRUIT CUPS, IT’S GONNA BE A LONG RIDE!”

OMARION is a busy man right now. So busy that during our interview we were interrupted by an undisclosed man who urgently needed Omarion’s opinion at that very moment and time. Yet when the urgency took about a good minute it was realized–our time was precious. So as RIGHT ON!’s correspondent for all things street but sweet, Tanya Remekie tried to extract the juices and get the pulp–like how did it work that Omarion got out of being with Young Money after only a few months affiliation, if he’s still chummy with KHLOE KARDASHIAN, if he is married to that model who was thought to be bi, and if he’s a Jehovah’s Witness.

Read on. 15 minutes tick on the timer, and we get it in.

So take us through the entire “being signed to” Young Money stint that you had. How did you become affiliated with Young Money in the first place?

- Well, um basically, I was in a situation before Young Money which was similar. That situation pretty much came from me asking to be released from Sony and basically trying to find a new home. The thing was, the relationship that Tim [TIMBALAND] and JUSTIN [Timberlake] had, was something that I was kind of looking for. I was kind of looking for a home or to be able to get myself into a new situation. So when Timbaland and myself and the Timbaland thing didn’t work out, you know, the next person I talked to was [Lil] WAYNE. We sat down and we had a conversation, and the idea was that being that I had been the one out of the bunch of Young Money to have the most experience and success, I was going to be the next runner up. I was going to be one of the few people aside from DRAKE, because he dad tremendous amount of success with his radio hits to be a big part or the leading force [for Young Money].  That was pretty much the relationship. We sat down and had a conversation, and I moved from Timbaland into the Young Money situation. Does that answer your question?

Yeah. So you signed contracts?

Obviously. That’s kind of personal, but yeah.

So, what was the moment you decided, it might not be the best thing for you to go on with it?

Well through the process of having being signed with him, I just kind of stepped back for a second, I really was thinking to myself…well aside from the research that I did I basically looked at all the people I look up to or that I admire, like MICHAEL JACKSON, or my peers that sing and dance as I do. In order to become a star like some of the celebrities that are named, you’re not really under an umbrella of a camp where your boss is an entertainer or celebrity star. I really just started thinking about this, in the process of me trying to have a home, and Wayne just accommodated and respected where I was coming from with that. And also, Wayne, he is the driving force of Young Money. I really just felt like, there’s so much that I want to do. That’s when I was blessed with the opportunity to start my record company, Star World Entertainment through EMI. I talked to them and I discussed my vision. They were really willing to support all of the creative ideas and also me [stepping out] as an entrepreneur.

There’s so much that people don’t know about me, being that I started in the industry at the age of 14. I’ll be 25 this year. I’ve been given the opportunity to survive in the game; to be able to grasp a grip on the knowledge the business has to offer. When I looked at the Young Money situation I could have been putting myself in a box, only to be an artist. But I had been away for so long, [and] as a solo artist my time was now. I’d be in the studio. I’d have hot records. So I didn’t really want to wait.  And I could have been put in a position to wait. In respects to Wayne and how he runs his shit I totally respect it but I felt it wasn’t going to be the best thing for me.

Take us through your conception of the name of your album Ollusion. How did you come up with that name?

I’ve been away as a solo artist for such a long time, I really have a different outlook, now, on the industry and on life period, because, within that three years, you know, I matured a lot as a man. I think it’s so interesting in the press when it comes to myself or what you hear about Omarion here, or [that] this happened here, I got a girlfriend or I was doing this, the allusion. It’s interesting when no one has the stated facts. It’s almost like the industry is built off of what people say. It’s never about your character. It’s like, no trial period. It’s like you’re [automatically] convicted, you have to go to jail. So I took this concept and adapted it to my album. We all go through the same things. That’s kind of where the title is derived from, just personal life stories.

I’ve been following what has been happening with “Kourtney and Khloe take Miami,” and wondering how your relationship is with Khloe Kardashian right now…

Oh it’s great. She’s married! I’m super happy for her. I’ll definitely be at the games, hi-fiving [Lamar] ODOM, while we go to the championship this year again.

So for all the ladies, are you single?

Yes I am currently single.

Reports were swirling around that since your last album, you had gotten married. Is there anything you want to clear up?

Oh yeah, I’m not married. Omarion is not married. But I do have to say that I am a one woman man. I do like the idea of relationships. If I’m in a relationship, it’s more likely being stretched for a long time. No, I’m not married.

Are you a Jehovah’s Witness?

Actually I’m not. I can’t call myself a whole Jehovah’s Witness until I become baptized. So no I’m not, but I will be.

You’ve been calling yourself the King of Dance for the past few years. In what ways did Michael Jackson influence your name?

He influenced that concept or that idea. Michael Jackson is someone that I’ve looked up to. Ever since I can remember going to one of his shows. I forget what tour it was, but I had the biggest Michael Jackson shirt on. I sat in the nosebleed section, and I felt him from all the way in the nosebleeds. He was just that powerful. He really just impacted me as an artist, and when I heard that he passed away, it just saddened me. I was very emotional because this is someone that I had looked up to and felt very close to. Because I am an artist, I am more in the position to ask the question, “Why?” Like, “Why did you have such an enormous influence on the world? Why do people want to dress up like Michael Jackson?” I study that. I constantly study that to this day. Michael Jackson is the main influence and the core to my artistry. If I could be from a family tree it would be cut from the Michael Jackson family tree.

If you could quit singing, dancing, and acting and be in any other profession what would it be?

Writing. I don’t know, but boxing seems fun. It seems like an entertaining sport. Maybe the circus, but Cirque du Soleil though. Definitely entertaining people. Maybe an artist, painter.

What do you want to say to all of your fans?

I love y’all. I miss y’all. Omarion is on the way! Strap up your backpacks and get your fruit cups…it’s going to be a long ride.

Omarion’s Ollusion is in stores TODAY! Pick it up.