OPT THE GAME HUSTLER OPT The Game Hustler was born Tommie O’Banner Jr. on March 12, 1982 in Ypsilanti, Michigan. He is the youngest of four siblings born to Tommie O’Banner Sr. OPT at an early age was in love with music ever since his older siblings played artists like Big Daddy Kane, Run DMC, and Rob Base intro to Yo MTV Raps. It’s no surprise that numerous musicians of the 80’s and early 90’s influenced his music. At the age of 22, he has done things that most musicians don’t have a chance to do at that same age. He joined a group called the Wild Childs in which quickly turned sour as OPT decided to go solo and sign to an Independent label called Westgrand Records in 2003. During this time, with the help and advice of Westgrand Records C.E.O. Lynn Copeland, OPT began the start of his first album in a real studio. Tragically in 2004, OPT was the victim of a crime when two older men decided to steal his leather coat and slashed half of his throat. Luckily he survived the ordeal but the studio sessions was put on hold temporarily while he recuperated In 2005, he began the production of his hit song Poppin in which became a huge success locally. After the single of Poppin was released, he started getting calls from countless artists wanting him to be on their mixtapes. Soon after, OPT was on mixtapes across the nation such as DJ Hollywood, DJ Amps, Southwest Connection, One Nation Compilation, and Bullyin the Streets with Jae Millz. He also did interviews with Mic Magazine, Murda Dog Magazine, and a new magazine soon to hit the stores called The Music Report Magazine. The radio rotation soon followed from Dirty South Radio online to FM 98 WJLB. In November 2006, the album was released. Soon to his surprise, the album O.T.G.H (OPT The Game Hustler) sold in its first week 2,000 units on the streets. As the demand for his album continued to increase, the demand for performances skyrocketed. OPT has done over 30 shows in a two month’s time. He opened for Juvenile at the Zoobar, located in Detroit, Michigan to a full house. He also opened for names like Trick Trick, the Doom Squad, Fat Killa’s, and the Purple Gang which is apart of Proof of D12’s label called the Iron Fist. He headlined his own show at the Emerald Theatre called The Hip Hop Shakedown on April 4, 2007. OPT states that: “More and more opportunities are coming my way. I feel that hard work pays off and I am here to prove it. You just have to put your ego aside and stay humble.” One Love OPT “The Game Hustler” .
Website: WWW.MYSPACE.COM/WESTGRANDRECORDS
GMP Profile URL: http://www.globalmusicproject.com/WEST2007
WESTLAND,US