Omar-S

Alexander Omar Smith,^[1] known professionally as Omar-S, is an electronic music producer from Detroit, Michigan, with a substantial discography that spans the past twenty years.^[2]

He is known for producing all of his music without the use of computers, using 100% analog equipment to record and mix his music^[3]. His tracks are available both physically in record shops around the world, as well as digitally via platforms such as Bandcamp.

In more recent years, Smith, the owner/operator of FXHE Records since its inception in 2003, was seen as a mentor and champion of younger Detroit artists such as John FM and HiTech, having released their music on his label and provided a physical space for them throw events.^[4]

On November 6, 2023, Supercoolwicked, a female Detroit music artist, alleged on her social media that Omar-S broke a wine glass on her head and further physically assaulted her to the degree that it required three people to pull him off her at Paramita Sound, a club/record store in Detroit, on the evening of November 5, after she confronted him over unpaid royalties owed to her for over one year.^[5][6][7] Both artists have acknowledged that the Detroit Police Department is performing an investigation into the incident.^[8]

Shortly thereafter, both John FM and HiTech, who both have releases on Omar S' label FXHE Records, distanced themselves from Smith and condemned his actions via public statements.^[9] In the following days, music from both artists released on FXHE was noted to have been removed from streaming platforms.^[10][11]

In January, 2024, Omar-S served as the opening act for Madonna at the Little Caesars Arena stop of her Celebrations tour, despite many in Detroit's music scene having moved to boycott him following his physical altercation with Detroit artist SuperCoolWicked in November of the previous year.^[12]

• Music of Detroit, Michigan