The evolution of an artist rarely happens in a straight line; it is a series of geographic and emotional shifts that slowly reveal a voice. On his new album, ALLTIMERR: The Horace Mann Project, Omari Alltimer looks backward to map out exactly how far he’s traveled. If its predecessor, ALLTIMER, was a grand dedication to family and artistic sacrifice, this new record turns the lens inward, offering a heartfelt homage to a pivotal moment in time: seventh grade at Horace Mann Middle School in Little Rock, Arkansas.
It was during those transformative middle school years—right before a move to Texas—that Omari first realized he could construct real songs, turn thoughts into rhythms, and command a verse. The Horace Mann Project is an ode to that original spark. It’s an explicit thank-you letter to the kid who stayed obsessed with hip-hop through every life change, laying the groundwork for the man, father, and artist he is today.
Musically and thematic, the project, produced by Popalardo, occupies a unique space. Omari himself sums up the album’s complex energy best: “This is that champagne glass with grape juice music, that you better be investing money music, that youth sports coach disgruntled parent music, that Black man’s plight music.” That balance—between grounded, adult responsibilities and unyielding aspiration—defines the entire listening experience.
Sonically, the album mirrors this journey from adolescent discovery to mature reflection through a rich palette of soul, jazz, and textured hip-hop. Tracks like the Popalardo-produced opener “Champagne Glass” set a grand, expansive stage with glowing sample work and commanding verses, while the jazz-tinged “Etrade” and the introspective, soul-sampled “Little Man” directly channel that balance of street-smart grit, financial ambition, and gratitude for the journey. Elsewhere, the warm guitar lines of “Pixies” and the raw, finely chopped loops of “Plight” showcase Alltimer’s sharp technical control before bringing the narrative full circle on “Orange Juice”—a triumphant, soulful closer where Popalardo’s production and Alltimer’s poignant writing provide a warm, full-circle toast to how far he’s come since those early days in Little Rock.
Tracing a journey that spans from Little Rock to The Woodlands, Houston to Austin, and eventually Los Angeles, ALLTIMERR: The Horace Mann Project is more than just a nostalgic victory lap. It’s a grounded, soulful, and deeply personal body of work that bridges the gap between adolescent ambition and matured perspective. Omari Alltimer honors where he came from by proving just how far he can go.
Listen to ALLTIMERR: The Horace Man Project here:
