Music is a calling that can lure one from the deepest of places when they least expect it. Sometimes, the gift of music is generational, inherited from the artist after the artist. In contrast, other times, it merely pulls people out of a path they already decided their life would take. Call it fate, a divine intervention of simply… music.
Artistry courses through the veins of some of the biggest names, Stevie Wonder, MJ, Beyonce…
Everyone knows their names, but where were they before they picked up the microphone for the first time?
The answer may indeed surprise many. Zooming down the wings for a touchdown straight to the stage, introducing OT Dlmez!
Kickoff to Full Time
It is easy to imagine every artist finding their passion for music from the get-go. And Michael Jackson has indeed been making moves with the Jackson 5 since he was a little boy, Beyonce joined Destiny’s Child at 19 years of age, and the one and only Stevie Wonder was a piano prodigy at the age of 10.
It does not matter which path one is on; when music wants to find someone, it will. Such was the fate of Helmsley Aboagye. He discovered his passion for athletics at an early age. He chose the beautiful soccer game to bestow his talent on the field. After scorching turfs with his playstyle, he also dunked his toe into the realm of basketball in high school. It was clear that Helmsley was one for the future as soon as he dawned the cleats. OT chose to polish his talents further by majoring in sports management, continuing his pursuit to go pro.
He attended Pablo Neruda academy in the Bronx, majored in sport management at Genesee Community College, and finished college at Brockport in 2019-2021 with a minor in coaching.
OT had to abandon his love for soccer and sports due to life circumstances during college. But what felt like a curse became a blessing.
He then took on the task of being the man behind the camera and shot music videos for artists looking to make it in the business.
Music in Sports
OT Dlmez has been making waves in the musical space. Spoiler alert, music does manage to get his hands off the basketball and onto the microphone. Though the reason for Aboagye’s field transition was circumstantial, was there a bias to this circumstance?
Is there a bridge between music and sports?
French Olympic champion and concert pianist Micheline Ostermeyer states, “the qualities that make a true artist are nearly the same qualities that make a true athlete.” This is the same woman who performed Beethoven’s Hammerklavier Sonata right after winning an Olympic gold medal.
The two spectrums may seem completely unrelated at the surface, but zooming into human biochemistry, one shall find insights that will strike a chord or two.
Music and sports complement each other. Music training can increase a mind’s motor skill ability, which would help an athlete’s mind-muscle connection and coordination, and vice versa. Aboagye’s expertise and endurance developed from soccer training would ease grueling hours rehearsing his upcoming single.
Remaining physically active can also ease performance anxiety, especially after the stage has been cleared. Besides mere aesthetics, musicians are obliged to maintain a fit lifestyle to increase their endurance to withstand draining tours and intense routines of performing on stage.
Stretching and increased blood flow into muscles can help musicians hold instruments for prolonged periods. Cardio also helps with performing brutal vocal riffs to keep breathing in check. And for an experienced soccer athlete such as OT, the goal was wide open without a keeper to score onto the sound stage destined for him.
Most Valuable Player
OT is currently killing it as an independent artist of 9 genres, with neo-soul and drill being teased for the fans. Though, he is adamant about staying true to his roots with RnB. However, he is open to negotiation for any record label signing him with a win-win offer. With his upcoming album 2shades of Hell releasing in early 2023, the turf is set for OT Dlmez to be RnB’s MVP.
