Ozomatli has always juggled two key identities. They are the voice of their city and they are citizens of the world.
Their music — a notorious urban-Latino-and-beyond collision of hip hop and salsa, dancehall and cumbia, samba and funk, merengue and comparsa, East LA R&B and New Orleans second line, Jamaican ragga and Indian ragga— has long followed a key mantra: it will take you around the world by taking you around L.A.
Originally formed to play at a Los Angeles labor protest, Ozomatli spent some of their early days participating in everything from earthquake prep “hip hop ghetto plays” at inner-city elementary schools to community activist events, protests, and city fundraisers. Ever since, theyhave been synonymous with their city: their music has been taken up by both the Los Angeles Dodgers and Los Angeles Clippers, they recorded the street-viewtravelogue “City of Angels” as a new urban anthem, and they were featured as part of the prominent L.A. figures imaging campaign “We Are 4 L.A.” on NBC, and have the distinction of headlining the Hollywood Bowl three times in 2008, 2010 and 2012.
In recognition of their efforts towards Los Angeles, the City of Los Angeles has officially declared April 23rd in perpetuity as “Ozomatli Day”. Ozomatli were also recipients of the Local Heroes Award by Los Angeles PBS station KCET-TV, recognizing the band’s longstanding accomplishments and community service throughout Southern California. On the national stage, the band were recognized for their service not just to Los Angeles but as global activists, receiving the National Council of LA Raza's Humanitarian Award, and performing twice for Barak Obama.
“This band could not have happened anywhere else but L.A.,” saxophonist and clarinetist Ulises Bella has said. “Man, the tension of it, the multiculturalism of it. L.A. is like, we’re bonded by bridges.”
Ozo is also a product of the city’s grassroots political scene. Proudly born as a multi-racial crew in post-uprising 90s Los Angeles, the band has built a formidable reputation over five full-length studio albums and a relentless touring schedule for taking party rocking so seriously that it becomes new school musical activism.
“Just being who we are and just doing what we’re doing with music at this time is very political,” says bassist Wil-Dog Abers. “The youth see us up there and recognize themselves. So in a playful, party-type of way, I think it’s real easy for this band to get dangerous. We are starting to realize just how big of a voice we actually have as a band and how important it is for us to use it.”
The band had long been a favorite of international audiences-playing everywhere from Japan to North Africa and Australia-and their music had always been internationalist in its scope, seamlessly blending and transforming traditions from Africa, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East (what other band could record a song once described as “Arabic jarocho dancehall”?), but that year they entered the global arena in a different way.
They were invited by the U.S. State Department to serve as official Cultural Ambassadors on a series of government-sponsored international tours to Asia, Africa, South America, and the Middle East, tours that linked Ozomatli to atradition of cultural diplomacy that also includes the esteemed likes of Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, and Louis Armstrong.
In places like Tunisia, India, Jordan, and Nepal, Ozo didn’t just play rousing free public concerts, but offered musical workshops and master classes and visited arts centers, summer camps, youth rehabilitation centers, and even a Palestinian refugee camp. They listened to performances by local musicians and often joined in for impromptu jam sessions with student bands and communitymusicians. Most shows ended up with kids dancing on stage and their new collaborators sitting in for a tabla solo or a run on the slide guitar.
In the case of Nepal, the band’s trip was part of a celebration of the country’s newly ratified peace accord and they arrived with a direct message: “different instruments but one rhythm, together we can make a prosperous Nepal.” Their concert, which drew over 14,000 people, was a historic one - Ozo were the first Western band to do a concert in Nepal and the event was the country’s first peaceful mass gathering that was not a protest or religious ceremony.
Ozomatli traveled to Myanmar, Vietnam and Thailand performing free concerts and extending humanitarian outreach, including HIV and AIDS care clinics, visits to schools for the blind and deaf, orphanages, Methadone clinics, and outreach programs to refugees and disadvantaged youth.
Ozomatli also journeyed to the earthquake zone in Dujiangyan, China – an area still ravaged by the devastating 7.9 temblor of May 12, 2008 - killing at least 68,000 people and injuring countless more. Ozo’s outreach in this area focused on extending the value of music education to children in orphanages, schools for migrant workers families, and schools for the handicapped.
Ozomatli were honored to help celebrate the Boston Pops 125th Anniversary, accompanied by the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Since that first orchestral collaboration, they have gone on to perform Ozo classics live with the National Symphony Orchestra at the Kennedy Center, the Colorado Symphony, the San Diego Symphony, and the New York Pops.
Ozomatli made an appearance at TEDxSF – the first musical talk ever given at any TED conference - mixing discussion and sound to explore the challenges and promises of musical identities in a global age.
In addition to their substantial history licensing their music for film, tv and video games, the band has also gone on to compose and score, recently contributing music to Happy Feet 2 and Elmo's Musical Monsterpiece for Warner Brothers Interactive, SIMS for EA Games, music for PBS Kids, the films A Better Life and Harlistas, and for the TV Show Standup Revolution on Comedy Central.
Ozomatli has worked diligently to spread its message of peace, communication and understanding through music, with a longstanding tradition of performing for children all over the world, from the schools of North St. Louis to the orphanages of Southeast Asia. The band has also created “Ozokidz”, a special family friendly set geared towards performing for children and adults alike.
After party
Ozomatli Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
There's a vibe in the city I've never felt before in my life.
Let's all rush and flow, make a big time aftershow party.
If we're gonna get it right got to hold each other tight tonight
And the people of the world say...
Oye Baby
Oye Mami
You offered a ride, a pleasant surprise
Your whip was on point but it couldn't outshine your eyes
Now I really know why we had to rush the flow darling
No we gotta get it right got to hold each other tight tonight
And the people of the world say...
Oye Baby
Oye Mami
Donde Esta La After party
I only want to hold your hand like darkness in the moon light And when you wrap your arms around me I know this is where we should be tonight
To feel this gotta use your soul
And it just ain't a party with no O-Z-O's
Jump back make you sweat your clothes
And I bet you didn't know/ the whole band got flows
Little lady go on and do your dance
Homeboys stand up and shout
That's what I'm talkin' bout
Everybody go on and tell a friend
That band went and did it again
The lyrics to Ozomatli's song After Party explore the idea of finding a party that lasts all night and the unique vibe of the city. The song starts off by wondering if such a party exists and then slowly delves into the excitement of creating an “aftershow” party. The lyrics emphasize the importance of holding each other tight and enjoying the moment.
Throughout the song, there is a repeated refrain of “Oye Baby, Oye Mami, donde Esta La After Party?" that is sung by “the people of the world”. This repetition suggests a sense of urgency and togetherness in finding and enjoying the after-party. The song also features a love interest that is introduced when the singer accepts a ride from them. As the two enjoy each other's company, they realize that they should be together and hold each other tight.
As the song progresses, the lyrics become more energetic with a reference to the band Ozomatli themselves, who bring the party with them. The lyrics speak of the joy of dancing and encourage the listener to do the same. The song ends on a high note with the whole band “flowing” and creating a fun atmosphere for everyone. Through its upbeat tempo, lively lyrics, and general feel-good vibe, the song seems to urge people to let loose and enjoy themselves in the moment.
Line by Line Meaning
I wonder if we'll ever find a party that lasts all night.
I'm unsure if we'll ever come across a party that lasts until morning.
There's a vibe in the city I've never felt before in my life.
The energy of the city is unique and unfamiliar to me.
Let's all rush and flow, make a big time aftershow party.
Let's move quickly and spontaneously to create a fun and memorable afterparty.
If we're gonna get it right got to hold each other tight tonight
In order to have a successful party, we need to support and connect with each other.
And the people of the world say...
The global community expresses...
Oye Baby
'Hey baby' in Spanish.
Oye Mami
'Hey mommy' in Spanish.
Donde Esta La After party
Where is the afterparty?
You offered a ride, a pleasant surprise
You kindly offered a ride, which was a nice surprise.
Your whip was on point but it couldn't outshine your eyes
Your car was impressive, but it couldn't compare to the beauty of your eyes.
Now I really know why we had to rush the flow darling
Now I understand why we moved quickly, my love.
No we gotta get it right got to hold each other tight tonight
We need to make sure we're successful and support each other this evening.
I only want to hold your hand like darkness in the moon light
I desire to be close to you, like the darkness beside the moonlight.
And when you wrap your arms around me I know this is where we should be tonight
I feel confident that this is the perfect place for us when you embrace me.
To feel this gotta use your soul
To experience this, you need to engage your soul.
And it just ain't a party with no O-Z-O's
A party is not complete without the band Ozomatli.
Jump back make you sweat your clothes
Their music will make you jump around and sweat.
And I bet you didn't know/ the whole band got flows
You probably didn't realize that the entire band has a great musical style.
Little lady go on and do your dance
Ladies, feel free to dance however you want!
Homeboys stand up and shout/That's what I'm talkin' bout
Guys, if you're feeling the music, stand up and shout your approval!
Everybody go on and tell a friend/That band went and did it again
Spread the word - the band Ozomatli has once again delivered an amazing performance!
Lyrics © Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Universal Music Publishing Group, Peermusic Publishing, THE BICYCLE MUSIC COMPANY
Written by: Karl Cameron Porter, Willy D. Abers, Ulises Baldomero Bella, Raul Pacheco, Justin Poree, Asdrubal P. Sierra, Jabulani I. Smith-Freeman, Jiro Yamaguchi
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind