“I’m here to help you execute”, Om’Mas Keith told Billboard recently while cruising Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles. That’s the talk the production wizard gives artists he works with.
And he did just that with thoughtful crooner Frank Ocean’s debut album channel ORANGE, to the tune of six Grammy Award nominations for this Sunday’s music industry showcase.
After the Odd Future singer and producer Malay built a skeletal version of channel ORANGE, Keith was asked to help flesh out the ideas. By the time the album came out last July, it was a well-developed piece of art. And this weekend, the trio will find out if they get to go home with accolades such as Album the Year, among others. But just because they seem to be a shoo-in for a least a trophy or two, doesn’t mean they’re resting on their laurels. Soon they’ll get back to together and get cracking on Ocean’s sophomore album.
“He came over to the studio and said, ‘We’re about to get back to work again,'” Keith said. “So it’s just that creative talk, where we know we’re about to get back into the studio soon. I’m just not sure when.”
The producer said that the touring that Ocean’s done since releasing his debut album has helped him to mature as an artist.
“He’s better off now than he was a year ago – creatively, harmonically, sonically and musically,” Keith said. “We haven’t been immersed like that since we stopped working on the album, but I know that Frank is on a continual quest for knowledge. He doesn’t stop on the knowledge tip.
“Where I left with him at the end of recording channel ORANGE, he was epic,” Keith continued. “I can only imagine where he’s at now. I think his prowess will only grow as the years go past.”
Read more: Billboard
