21-year-old Omaiah Hall, has a passion for writing, singing, dancing, pageantry, and creativity. Her passion for music and singing stemmed from her being in a very creative family.
She said, “All they did was sing and dance and worship and I wanted that, it made them so happy, and it truly was the best way to express, and honestly that’s how I expressed from birth through song and dance.”
Omaiah Hall performing at an event
She copped the title of Junior Calypso Monarch in 2020 and in 2022, she placed in the Top Three in the Junior Monarch.
Omaiah is also a well-known media personality. She is the second runner up in the recently held Miss Jamzone Pageant 2022 and has been a background dancer for the Guyanese artiste Nekita over the years.
With a passion for the Arts, she commenced studying Arts Management at The Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts in Jamaica. This will enable her to learn more about this amazing field as she wishes to make her mark in my country and globally as a creative person. She believes that her studies will also guide her in bettering her craft.
“I’ve faced many challenges that honestly, I can truly say God kept me. I’ve battled with my sense of self and my mental health. I also battled with the fear of never being enough.
Growing up in a single parent home, longing for love from my dad, but running to seek it out from men instead of loving myself. Health wise, I’m asthmatic and anaemic, however medication helps with those, but I’ve used my art and prayer as coping mechanisms,” Omaiah said.
She added, “I won’t lie and say I’ve overcome them because truthfully, I haven’t but I am growing to love me more and heal and it’s beautiful. Healing isn’t linear there’s some bumps in the road, but I have a support system that makes sure if I fall I never stay on the ground.”
Graduating from the University of Guyana (UG), gaining entry into the Edna Manley College of Visual and Performing Arts, convincing her family to allow her to pursue art and performing on the stage whether at a large or small event, or just sharing her craft are accomplishments that Hall is proud of.
“And I’m really proud that I’m alive and still fighting my biggest achievement yet, because many days the thought crossed my mind whether or not I deserve to be here,” She mentioned.
Her future plans include, starting and owning multiple businesses, work on an EP for 2023 yes, this year by God’s Grace, being able to travel and perform more to perform and assist in the growth and development of Guyana’s cultural industry.
Hall is entering the senior calypso competition with her latest song “A Cry For Help.” This song was written by her and produced by the talented Joshua Nedd, with the assistance on the vocals by two other talented Guyanese youths, Nia Allen and Faith Corrica.
“I wrote this song to let go of my fears and my trauma. 2022 was the year where I felt like I would’ve lost my mind. Things that occurred four years ago started popping up last year and my mind, my body, and soul was filled with nothing but anger, but I didn’t want to deal with it. So, I said lemme write and maybe this can help someone else, facing the same problem,” she noted.
Further she mentioned, “I can never ask for help but in a song, why not? I poured my soul into this piece because I needed to let go, and it was also my way of accepting that I needed to stop keeping things in and seek therapy and that’s what I did. Calypsos aren’t usually this personal and I wanted to really tell a story… my story and I know how to, and I believe I somewhat succeeded in doing so.”
Her song can be found on YouTube, via https://youtu.be/ZVh40DdvG2c.
“For anyone wanting to create and go into the arts industry you are gonna be faced with many Nos and people saying you aren’t good enough or ready, my advice is work on your craft don’t be afraid of a no, keep pushing until you get that yes, stay true and authentic to who you are because there can only be one you, and be open to learning you do not know it all, education is powerful,” is Hall’s advice to youth.
