Questions asked at the live web chat on February 27, 2004.

When’s the new album release?
Best By Far will be released in the US on the 30th March & I'm working on the 6th.

When are you coming to NY again, do you know?
Should be in NY in April, just waiting for the dates to be confirmed.

How come it's taken so long for Best By Far to be released in the US?
Labels sometimes aren't as quick as we want them to be, hence the delay.

Missed you at the Jazz Cafe. When's your next UK date?
25th March in Liverpool @ The Pan American Club.
August 6 & 7 at the Jazz Café – there’s more UK dates on the website.

Is the new album almost done?
The new album is coming along wickedly & should be with you all in a few months.

Have you guys considered playing the Essence Festival in New Orleans in July?
I'd love to play at The Essence Festival but noone's invited me :-)

Any guest appearances on the new we can look forward to?
Guests on the new album will be Stevie Wonder, Bill Lee & hopefully a few other collaborations. Would love to work with George Benson & India.

How did you and Common hook up for his last CD and what was it like working with him?
I met Common through Erykah when we were performing Be Thankful together.

And how did you and Ol' Dirty Bastard hook up?
Gave him a load of money, booze & loads of birds to play with - that's how we got dirty :-)

Do you feel that you’re under rated in the UK?
I don't feel under rated cos the acknowledgements I get every day & the love that everyone shows me inspires me to keep on doing better things.

Has your voice changed in your mind over the years?
Yes, my voice has changed considerably. I'm just happy that it's changed for the better

Have you ever worked with Level 42?
Yes I've worked with Level 42.

What inspired you to do Golden Brown?
I loved the original version by The Stranglers

Are you producing more people -side projects more so lately?
Yeah, I’ve been producing a young guy called Soul-ja, Chris Ballin, Ivy & virtually a couple of unknowns.

Any news from Lewis? Looks like he's working on a new thing... did you do anything with him?
No, I'm not in touch with Lewis.

Any covers that you’re planning on giving your special flavour to in the future?
Trying to keep it strictly original but you never know.

Are you familiar with Dizzee Rascal?
Dizzee is one of the most talented youth rappers coming out of England - you should all check him out.

Besides Common, is there any other rappers you consider working with?
I'd like to work with Dizzee and I’m already doing a track with Rodney P.

You know the deejay wants to know how to get your version of golden brown on wax?
Not sure whether you can still get Golden Brown on vinyl but that's a question for my management.
Golden Brown 12 can be bought if you search hard.

When tracks are bought so long after release do you still get paid?….or played?!
Only if you buy them from me :-)

I was reading a story about you Omar and I was so impressed by your musical background. How many instruments do you play and is guitar one of them?
I don't play the guitar anymore. I play bass, keys & drums.

What do you think about all the hype surrounding Janet Jackson right now, Omar?
Sadly I didn't see Janet's titties :-)
Any clamp revealing plans? Or you could stick to singing and being recognised for having talent rather than stripping for money?
And what's the matter with strippers?!

How do you rate Agent K?
I haven't heard of Agent K
Agent K is from UK. his style is broken beats. Check it out!

Would you ever move from the UK?
I have been thinking about relocating cos it's getting f++king expensive in London.
Where to?
Somewhere hot.

Are you off to St Lucia this year?
St Lucia without a doubt – absolutely. In May.

I have technical questions. Do u work mostly analog or are you set up with protools/logic. etc?
I work with logic
Yes, me too. Is that better than protools to you?
Logic is just easier to control for me.
I've been with logic for several years and everyone I meet I was always convincing them.

What did you do today?
Went to the gym & I've been in the studio since then.

Golden Lady rocks, do you stay away from the Stevie tracks because of some of the earlier comparisons to him?
I stay away from the Stevie songs cos they're f++king hard to sing :-)

Is the track Syleste about a real life situation?
Yes, Syleste is an old girlfriend of mine.

Who is singing background vocals on "Never Too Late?" I love that song.
I forget her name but she was also sang backing vocals for Prince.

There are three big music festivals here every year that would fit you perfectly.
New Orleans Jazz Festival, Essence Music Festival and Voodoo Festival.

How come you don't fire up Fine so much any more in the sets? I can see its hard to sing let alone hum too but is the day of the accapella fine over?
Sometimes I don't get the right feedback from the crowd.

Will you be on Common's new CD?
Yes, I’m working with Common again

How did the "Say Nothing" remix with Ol Dirty Bastard come to life?
I answered that one earlier but no we didn't actually get to meet.

What freebies do you have for the fans partaking in tonight’s web chat?
Leave your details with Jen & everyone on tonight’s web chat will get a copy of the new EP when it's done.