Omar (aka Michael K. Williams) was a guest on The Opie and Anthony Show this morning to promote his role in Spike Lee’s Miracle at St. Anna. It was Michael’s first time on the show, so there was little in the way of movie talk and lots of The Wire. Toward the end of the gab session he pulled out a CD of his side project.. “Omar is Coming.”

In 2002, Jam Master Jay (of Run DMC) suggested that he record an Omar rap album. Michael spoke to Jay the day before he was killed; the album has been on the shelf ever since. Michael said he was in Chicago when he heard “Sumthin’s Gotta Give” and decided to trade Big Boi’s verses with his own. That’s how you get..

Omar “Sumthin’s Gotta Give - The Mary O Remix”

On the first listen I thought..  he should have left it alone, or at least kept it in his circle. On the second and third listen I had to give him credit for the lyrics. This is going to have a video and be followed by the album. Michael did stress that he’s not trying to become a rapper. This is Omar .. but with the show buried, why even go there?

He’s got seven movies on deck, lots of other ways to count money. At least he is keeping true to character: straight jacked the beat and if it charts, got the money too..