OVO Sound’s First Woman Signee Naomi Sharon Stepped Out Of Her Musical Comfort Zone With ‘Obsidian’
Back in October, Naomi Sharon—the first woman to ever be signed to Drake’s OVO Sound—released her debut album Obsidian. For the 13-track LP, the Netherlands native stepped outside her musical wheelhouse and explored various subgenres—Afropop, Afrobeats-R&B hybrids, and dance—that she grew to love after The 6 God suggested she try to make more upbeat music. it was admittedly out of her wheelhouse initially.
“When he said that to me I was like ‘Oh, damn, that’s a comfort zone that I’m leaving,'” she told VIBE. “But when he said that to me I said, ‘Okay, he believes in that.’ He sees something and he hears something that is genuine so I [trusted that].”
The Caribbean-Dutch singer’s willingness to try something new gave way to standout records on her album like “Time And Trust” and “Push” with production by Nineteen85. Though they sonically differ from records like “Definition Of Love” and “Myrrh,” they are true to the story she wanted to tell.
“I had to trust in myself and my ability to do something in my world but still exploring other genres,” Sharon said. “It was a fun process. A very fun one to see what I can do and what it means to me. ‘Time And Trust,’ for instance […] It’s inspired by something that is from the ’90s, late ’90s. We were like, ‘Okay, let’s make something that people can dance to in the club but [also] make it something that is nostalgic.”
Musically, Naomi feels comfortable in this realm and looks forward to working with other artists like Omah Lay who make similar types of upbeat, dance music with Afrobeats influence.
“That was a fun process as well, when I did [‘Push’] with Omah Lay,” she said enthusiastically. “I was like ‘Wow, this is so cool.’ Someone from Nigeria [getting] on that song and he amplified it. He elevated the whole song. So that’s so cool to work with each other, as well.”
Check out part one of Naomi Sharon’s two-part interview with VIBE above, where she also discusses the reception to Obsidian, how she handles critique, love being a “wicked game,” and more.
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