Music runs through Gorganus’s veins.
Born in the Caribbean nation of St. Kitts and Nevis, Omar Robinson, who goes by his stage name of Gorganus, is the son of a drummer and musician. The rapper, who now calls Augusta home, is scheduled to be part of Verbal Therapy beginning at 9 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 12, at the Oak Restaurant and Lounge, 1505 North Leg Rd., Suite A.
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He calls his brand of the genre “real hip hop,” and the internet is full of debates on what that phrase means.
To Gorganus, it simply means old school hip hop throwing back to its early days. It means writing and performing lyrics that are culturally relevant and make a statement.
“It talks about real situations, real life situations,” he said.
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The beat is important as is the music, but it’s the lyrics and how words are used that make it “real.” He paid tribute to the movement in his 2018 album “The Voice of Real Hip Hop” with tracks such as “The Warning,” which deals with domestic violence.
Other songs deal with his own life experiences.
“Let Go” came after a turbulent time more than 13 years ago. His first marriage had ended in divorce, and he was trying to discover his own path.
“I was trying to please everyone,” he said. “I found you have to make yourself happy.”
Through the lyric in the song, he processes his life and the hardships he’s faced. Early on, he expresses frustration saying, “What don’t kill you only makes you stronger,” but as the song progresses, he realizes he’s “gotta let go of the bad vibes,” because “negativity don’t look good on me.”
Gorganus said he wanted to make “Let Go” positive to inspire and uplift people.
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“Everything tries to drag you down, holding you back, but it can push you forward. That was my same goal in letting things go. It’s how you react to things,” he said.
The music to which the lyrics are married find their roots in his homeland. The Caribbean beats and the influence of reggae are evident, he said.
“It’s island and real,” he said.
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Gorganus’s music is available on most streaming platforms including Spotify, Apple music and I Heart Radio.
He regularly performs at IKONZ sports bar and grill, 1515 North Leg Rd. and has performed at other clubs around town. Find him on Instagram @Gorganus.
Charmain Z. Brackett is the Features Editor for The Augusta Press. Reach her at charmain@theaugustapress.com.
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