Omar Hakim – From Sting to Daft Punk and Beyond – Part 2 – #79
The conversation continues in the captivating second half of “Go With Elmo” featuring legendary drummer Omar Hakim. Picking up right where Part 1 left off, host Elmo Lovano and Omar dive into the remarkable turns of fate that put Omar behind the kit for Sting, Bowie, Dire Straits, Madonna, Miles Davis, Daft Punk, and more. This episode is packed with one-of-a-kind backstories, industry wisdom, and lessons in musical innovation.
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Picking Up the Beat: From Dire Straits to Joining Sting
Part 2 launches with one of those only-in-music twists of fate: While laying down tracks for Dire Straits’ “Brothers in Arms” in Montserrat, Omar crossed paths with Sting. Sting—hot off the global domination of The Police—was coincidentally on the island with his wife, brainstorming a new band and sound. Over a post-session dinner, Omar overheard Sting plotting his dream lineup, including Branford Marsalis and Kenny Kirkland, absent only a drummer. In a bold move, Omar announced, “Well, you found your drummer.” The rest, as they say, is history.
Synchronicity in Action: It turned out Sting’s manager was already scouring New York for Omar, not realizing the drummer he needed was just across the table!
The Dream of the Blue Turtles: Redefining Sting’s Sound
Omar details how he, Branford Marsalis, Kenny Kirkland, and Daryl Jones melded genres and backgrounds to help Sting launch a solo identity distinct from his Police days. Omar’s chameleon-like blend of jazz, rock, and pop made him an ideal fit for the experimental edge and pop polish of The Dream of the Blue Turtles.
Omar shares that, for him, the mission was to create an accessible pop record—even as the world tagged the ensemble as Sting’s “jazz group.” The chemistry was instant, the music groundbreaking, and their collaborations set a new bar for both pop and jazz fusion worlds.
“Bring on the Night” – Spotlight and Stardom
The alchemy really hit home with Sting’s explosive Bring on the Night live film and album. Omar’s propulsive drumming and charismatic onstage presence were front and center. He describes the magic of working with director Michael Apted and how seeing himself on film changed his standing in the industry from “a name on album covers” to a distinctly recognizable musical force.
Apted himself predicted this would change Omar’s life, and he wasn’t wrong. The tour, the film, and two Grammy wins cemented Omar’s status as both a world-class sideperson and major musical personality.
Working with the Legends: Miles Davis and Beyond
Omar reflects on the surreal experience of joining Miles Davis in the studio, working on pivotal albums like Tutu and Amandla. Although he never toured with Miles, Omar’s connection ran deep—he later discovered his own father had been personal friends with Miles from their big band days. Omar describes Miles as gentle and funny, full of deadpan humor, and generous with creative freedom, especially to longtime collaborator Marcus Miller.
Through these stories, Omar gives listeners an inside peek at the sometimes mysterious connections and lineage in jazz—the small-world closeness that, in his own case, runs back to his childhood in Jamaica, Queens, where friends and neighbors included John Coltrane, Roy Haynes, James Brown, and others.
Technology and the Changing World of Drumming
This episode showcases Omar’s relentless curiosity and drive to stay ahead of the curve—including being an early adopter of electronic/acoustic hybrid setups. As the drummer for Madonna in her stadium-filling pop heyday, Omar blended cutting-edge sampling, triggers, and MIDI controllers to deliver on recordings’ impossible sounds in a live setting, even building custom rigs and using expression pedals for real-time sound bending. This spirit of innovation—preceding today’s standard in pop touring—marked him as a pioneer for the next generation of drummers.
The Daft Punk Era – From Powerhouse Grooves to Grammy Glory
Even decades into his career, Omar continued making musical history. His work with Daft Punk on Random Access Memories (including the megahit “Get Lucky”) showcases his adaptability. Listeners get a behind-the-scenes look: Omar’s sessions were groove-based jam marathons, cut without ever knowing what the finished songs would be—the first time he heard “Get Lucky” was on the radio! And of course, Omar’s legendary hi-hat precision made a signature appearance.
The Daft Punk chapter climaxes with Omar’s onstage appearance at the Grammys alongside Niles Rodgers, Nathan East, Pharrell, and Stevie Wonder—halcyon proof that innovation and musicianship know no age limit.
Session Work and the Business of Music
Omar and Elmo offer an unfiltered look at the changing landscape of the music business, comparing union-scale session rates and royalties of the ’70s/’80s, to today’s world of streaming and DIY home recording. Omar’s practical advice—always bring a calculator to contract negotiations—is an invaluable tip for any up-and-coming pro.
He also stresses the importance of ownership, advocating for creative independence and the ability to produce, mix, and release music from his own studio, a freedom he encourages all artists to seek.
Present and Future: Sonic Boom Squad & Creative Fulfillment
Omar concludes by talking about his latest adventure, Sonic Boom Squad—a fresh, funk-rock driven band he fronts, writes for, and leads on multiple instruments. He discusses the thrill and challenge of stepping out from behind the kit to center stage, and how it’s brought new joy and challenge into his musical life. Alongside this band, he collaborates with his wife, pianist Rachel Z, on jazz trio projects and live touring, embracing the full spectrum of his musical roots.
Omar closes with a simple but resonant truth: to be fulfilled, musicians today must tap all parts of their creative life, genre limits be damned. “My musical life is going to have some funk, some rock, some jazz, some of everything,” he says.
Final Thoughts
From game-changing pop sessions, to trailblazing technical innovation, to creative independence, Omar Hakim’s story offers a masterclass in both musicianship and the art of enduring reinvention. His energy, humility, and insights are a gift to any artist—drummer or not—navigating a creative path in a changing world.
If you haven’t experienced both parts of this extraordinary interview, do yourself a favor and listen to the full “Go With Elmo” conversation. It’s an inspiration for music lovers, students, veterans, and beyond.
Don’t miss new projects from Omar Hakim—including Sonic Boom Squad—and stay tuned for more tales and wisdom on “Go With Elmo”!
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