Omar Hakim: The Incredible Career of a Drumming Legend. Part 1 – #78
This week, Go With Elmo kicks off a two-part deep dive into the life and legacy of drumming legend Omar Hakim. Host Elmo Lovano guides listeners through a candid, energetic conversation with Omar, unearthing the experiences and early influences that shaped him into one of the world’s most in-demand drummers. This first installment traces his path from an impossibly young drummer in New York, through his years with Weather Report, David Bowie, Nile Rodgers, Dire Straits, Miles Davis and more.
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About Omar Hakim
Omar Hakim is widely regarded as a drummer who can do it all. His credits read like a hall of fame induction list: Weather Report, David Bowie, Dire Straits, Madonna, Daft Punk, Miles Davis, and more. Famous for his genre-bending versatility, deep pocket, and musical sensibility, he’s been the backbone behind numerous iconic songs across decades, shaping everything from jazz-fusion and ‘80s pop to cutting-edge electronic hits.
Early Roots: The Musical Melting Pot of Jamaica, Queens
Omar’s remarkable journey started in the vibrant neighborhood of Jamaica, Queens—home to an astonishing array of musical talent. As a kid, he played jazz gigs with his father’s band starting at age 10, but also absorbed the funk and pop music that saturated the radio and house parties of the era.
Growing up in a hotbed of creativity, Omar was surrounded by soon-to-be giants: Marcus Miller, Lenny White, Q-Tip, and more. He emphasizes how Jamaica, Queens fostered an “unbelievable music community” that became the launching pad for his genre-spanning success.
Early Breaks: From Neighborhood Gigs to National Tours
By his early teens, Omar had moved beyond local clubs to the national stage. He toured with Jay Mason at age 15, playing rock festivals and arenas (“We were opening for Hall & Oates before they were Hall & Oates!”), and landed a seat in LaBelle’s touring band at just 16, thanks to a chance ad in The Village Voice and a readiness to nail the classics.
These gigs not only developed his chops but also taught him the professional rigor and precision needed to thrive in high-pressure settings. Omar’s voracious appetite for all genres and exposure to a spectrum of talent in his youth laid the groundwork for everything to come.
Weather Report: From Young Prodigy to Jazz Fusion Mainstay
By 1982, after more than a decade as a professional musician (and stints with David Sanborn, Mike Manieri, Carly Simon, and others), Omar joined the seminal jazz-fusion group Weather Report. His spot in the band came via recommendations from Gil Evans, Michael Urbaniak, and even Miles Davis—a clear indication of his growing reputation.
Omar didn’t just join Weather Report—he helped reshape it, bringing in Victor Bailey on bass and Jose Rossi on percussion. This put Omar at the heart of a band that was redefining the landscape of modern jazz, and it set the stage for his emergence as a top call for anyone needing something special on the drums.
Session Aces and Pop Perfection – In the Studio with Bowie and Beyond
Omar’s versatility didn’t go unnoticed. He dives deep into the high-octane days at New York’s Power Station studios, where he crisscrossed projects for Nile Rodgers, Sister Sledge, and, most memorably, David Bowie. Recruited for the Let’s Dance sessions, Omar shares the thrill of playing with Bowie singing live with the band in the booth—a rarity in pop sessions and one that gave the album its electric energy.
He breaks down the surgically precise—yet effortlessly grooving—drumming behind “Let’s Dance,” how those iconic drum fills and hi-hat lifts came together, and how the song’s chorus “explosion” was crafted.
Dire Straits, “Money for Nothing,” and the Art of Restraint
One of this episode’s climaxes is Omar’s recounting of being called in to finish Dire Straits’ “Brothers in Arms” album in Montserrat. He shares the inside story of recording “Money for Nothing”—why he didn’t play the iconic intro, how he locked into Mark Knopfler’s guitar, and the subtle power of “playing nothing” to underline the song’s groove.
Omar reveals the understated artistry behind session work: knowing when to play, what not to play, and how to listen deeply to the artist’s vision rather than his own ego.
Adapting to Technology: Madonna, Hybrid Kits, and the Future Sound
As the episode winds through the 1980s and early 1990s, Omar discusses his foray into hybrid acoustic/electronic drum setups, particularly for Madonna’s massive arena tours. He unveils the behind-the-scenes tech challenges, how he built live kits to reproduce studio magic, and his preference for hands-on expression over sequenced perfection. These innovations paved the way for the now-standard pop and stadium drum setups found the world over.
Grammy Gold: Daft Punk’s “Get Lucky” and the Modern Session Landscape
Omar’s career didn’t slow down as the decades progressed. He walks Elmo through the ultra-modern “Random Access Memories” sessions with Daft Punk, where he laid down grooves without ever hearing the full songs—only to discover later that his playing powered the global smash “Get Lucky.” Listeners get a firsthand account of what it’s like to hear your own groove for the first time on the radio.
The Business of Drumming: Then and Now
The episode closes with practical wisdom as Omar and Elmo break down the business realities of session work, from union scale rates and doubles to shifting economics in the era of streaming. Younger session musicians will find invaluable advice here on contracts, royalties, and the importance of knowing your worth (and your calculator).
What’s Next? A Tease for Part Two...
Hungry for the rest of the story? Stay tuned for Part Two of this Omar Hakim feature, where Elmo and Omar dig into the pivotal meeting with Sting that changed his career, the formation and creative explosion behind “The Dream of the Blue Turtles,” and what it felt like to step into the spotlight in one of the most iconic live concert films ever. You won’t want to miss Omar’s inside stories of working with Sting, moving from jazz fusion to pop superstardom, and the wisdom he’s gathered on a life well-played.
Catch the next episode to discover:
- How a chance dinner in Montserrat turned into a gig with Sting’s first post-Police band
- The creativity and onstage magic behind “Bring on the Night”
- More about Omar’s personal philosophies on music, business, and creative freedom
Don’t miss it!
Listen to the full first part for electrifying stories, technical gems, and a one-of-a-kind perspective from Omar Hakim—and get ready for a deeper dive in the second half of this unforgettable conversation.
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