Reflecting on how this album — Just Come from Home took over 4 years to come out, makes the artist in me, Oz’mosis, appreciate it even more. Especially, knowing the number of painful moments I experienced during those four years. Given the fact this was going to be my first official solo album, it had to be perfect for me especially at this stage of my life. Hence, Sky’z Da Limit years are far behind me. We did so much in just a few years: 2 solid albums (Haiti: Love & Politics and Africayiti) with numerous hits. We had our run in the 2000s.
The album took so long to come out because I kept changing its direction. As a matter of fact, I changed it at least 3 times. I had over 30 songs, but I kept recording until I suddenly got sick and could not use my vocal cords for over a year. During that hard time of not being able to record, Tony Drumzz could see the sadness on my face every time I tried to force to record and could not. The fear of not being able to ever rap again messed with me hard. Thanks to God, I was able to overcome that.
This title, Just Come from Home, came to me just last month when I finally decided to release the album. The original name, “Haitian American Experience”, is really what sums up #JCFrH. I present my Haitian American experience. I will start the story with the middle part, then take you back to the future. The high school graduation inspired cover, one of the happiest moments of my life.
Oz’mosis – Why Just Come from Home album now
Hip Hop is the primary reason I have confidence in myself. It gives me the belief that I can do anything that I set my mind to. I love Hip Hop, that’s why it’s at the center of all my ideas, as most of my idols are Hip Hop Legends. Nas, Jay-Z, Tupac, Biggie, Dr. Dre, Diddy, Prodigy, and so many other iconic Hip Hop greats have contributed to my growth. Through going up, I have seen how they have changed the world with their talents, ideas, and work ethics. That’s why one can see Hip Hop in everything that I do. I can’t change that about me. Hip Hop is as important to me as water is.
Though there were times, I questioned my love for Hip Hop. We have had a complicated relationship, to say the least. For a while, I was like this jealous guy who felt like someone took his girl from him in retrospect. “I want her back”, I said to myself as I made up my mind.
Oz’mosis — Not Over Till Over Mentality
I recently had my nephew 10 Grand on The Voice of Passion Podcast EPISODE 7, in which he talked extensively about his second project NOTO. He really made me a proud uncle to have had such immense influence on him becoming a complete artist. In other words, I feel like I have done great because it’s not easy to inspire people around you who really know you well. “I had this crazy opportunity in my hand and I let it slip away”, he shared about his lowest moment. Similarly, 10 Grand inspires me to keep going. I saw what he had to go through and still kept going; he’s inspired me to keep going with the music.
I’m super happy 10 Grand got out of his funk quicker than me who overstayed. I knew exactly the feelings he felt when he talks about letting opportunities slip away. I have dealt with those same emotions for a long time. What we did with Sky’z Da Limit — I, Sly, Mike, and St. Mic was magical and it’s documented in the history of Haitian music forever. But that’s all in the past. I have a renewed mission concerning the music business. I believe it’s never too late to get the overdue returns on my investments.
Ki Yes Mwen Ye – Oz’mosis
“Should I have to reintroduce myself?” I ask at the beginning of the song Ki Yes Mwen Ye (Who Am I?). The kid from Jean-Denis, Artibonite Haiti. Like many great stories, mine starts in the middle. Just Come from Home — meaning, “Coming from where I’m from.
I was 12 when I watched ORS “Bagay Dwòl“, I fell in love with Hip Hop at that moment. As a result, I never stopped rapping in Haitian-Creole. I kept rapping in Creole when I moved to Florida, remaining a “Just Come” for life. I came here in the spring of 1995, back then the term Just Come meant “straight outta Haiti”. We, Haitians, used to make fun of and calling each other Just Come (JÈKANM). Those days you could spot a “Just Come” from miles away. They didn’t understand our fashion coming from Haiti, most of us came with our Made In Haiti clothes.
Oz’mosis Not Mentioned as a Creole Hip Hop Goat
I feel like my stats in the game, pre-social media era can stand against anybody who has done it in Kreyol Hip-hop. Perhaps, I consider myself as one of Kreyol Hip Hop Goat MCs from the states. Who wants a Verzus-Battle with your boy?
Oz’mosis and Tony Drumzz: artist-producer relationship
This album would not be possible with my brother Drumzz who stuck with me through thick and thin. We believe in each other from day one. We share the ultimate respect for each like true kings. I could not ask for a better business partner, brother, and friend. The house below is where we record the majority of the album, with no booth.
I think the lack of love for the game was the primary reason I stopped releasing music for a while. Fear of failure also played a factor. The fear of not meeting people’s expectations was something I struggled with. The fact that I came out in the group era with Sky’z Da Limit, for too long I thought I needed to be in a group. Indeed, it took me too long to realize the major disservice I was doing to myself.
The Life of Oz’mosis the “Just Come”
Just Come from Home album is about my life. I want to tell my story: Ki Yes Mwen (Who Am I). I first had to accept myself. Love me and be a fan of myself. The underlying message of the song Ki Yes Mwen Ye is simply: accept to be judged. Hence, at the end of the day, everyone will be judged. But, in the same token, the song also means “Only God Can Judge Me”. In the album’s 10th song, My Life, my fans will appreciate me for opening up about my personal life.
My childhood is filled with sad stories. As a kid, I suffered immense pain that F#ckd with me all the way until my adulthood. “Papa left before I was even born/ Mom gave me away, I was only 1/ My auntie who took me in and treated me like a son/ Got sick, passed away, and I was only 6”, I rapped on My Life.
Oz’mosis is finally HOME
At one point, I thought this album would never come out. From dealing with health to losing the passion and the love to release music, someway, and somehow, I always found myself pivoting back to writing music.
For years, I had no desire to release music because I hated the game. Things had changed. Therefore, older recording artists such as myself should only make classics. I want to carry my message to the younger generation; I don’t’ want them to make the mistakes I have made. I’m committed to telling the younger generation the truth about what I know. I pledge to continue to teach and inspire them. Young Haitian Americans could use my music to learn Haitian Creole. I want to continue promoting our beautiful language Kreyol Pale Kreyol Konpran. Just like the Hip Hop legends mentioned above helped me learn English, I believe kids of Haitian descent can learn the Kreyol language from listening to my stories: Oz’mosis – Just Come from Home.
Oz’mosis
