Omarr A Salgado: A Cinematic Visionary Bridging Music and Film
In the dynamic intersection where music meets film, Omarr A Salgado stands as a towering figure. As the founder of Fast Forward Films, Grown Man Sport (GMS), and NuSwing Entertainment Inc., Salgado has carved a unique niche in the entertainment world. His entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with a profound talent for discovery, has marked him as a serial entrepreneur and a magnet for talent across industries.
Salgado’s love affair with music isn’t a newfound passion. It’s a legacy handed down from the melodies and rhythms of his ancestors. His journey in the arts began under the tutelage of his great grandfather Juan Salgado and was nurtured by the artistry of his father, the renowned Latin pianist from the 1960s, Yeyo Salgado of the Grammy-nominated New Swing Sextet. At just 15 years old, Omarr not only embraced the piano but also dipped his toes into the burgeoning genre of hip-hop. He quickly became an integral part of a hip-hop group named Indego, rubbing shoulders and crafting beats with icons like Naughty By Nature and Lords of the Underground.
These formative years in the diverse landscape of music bestowed upon Mr. Salgado more than two decades of insights and a vast network within the music sphere. Leveraging these, he has embarked on an ambitious path to create not just music but an entire entertainment experience encompassing the essential elements of successful records and film production.
Salgado’s vision for a synergistic relationship between film and music materialized with the launch of a film division within GMS/NuSwing. October 2013 saw the release of “A Tie Never Broken,” a compelling short film that featured in the award-winning drama “LIFE, LOVE, SOUL!” by Noel Calloway. The narrative’s profundity—capturing the lessons learned from tying a tie knot—resonated with audiences and critics alike, propelling the film to second place in President Barack Obama’s 2013 “This is Fatherhood” contest.
The journey didn’t end there. “Two Days in Harlem,” a film inspired by Salgado’s personal encounters with stop and frisk policies and racial profiling, emerged from his dedication to social commentary through cinema. His commitment to authenticity and storytelling earned the film multiple awards and a spot on ASPIRE TV, thanks to the American Black Film Festival.
Salgado continued to push the boundaries of storytelling with his subsequent films, “Perceptions” and “For The LOVE of Musiq.” Each project not only showcased his versatility as an executive producer and actor but also underscored his ability to weave compelling narratives that resonate with audiences, earning acclaim in the festival circuit and broadcast on platforms like REVOLT TV.
In February 2019, Salgado expanded his horizon with the creation of Fast Forward Films, a full-service production company. The following year, he co-founded FFIC TV with fellow filmmaker Willie Coggins of Official IC Entertainment. This platform celebrates independent filmmakers and showcases both in-house material and contributions from the broader creative community.
Today, Omarr A Salgado has embraced a new challenge as the Head of Acquisitions for the America NU Network. In this role, he applies his keen eye for standout content, ensuring that the stories that resonate are shared and celebrated. His influence within the independent film community is notable, and his dedication to providing filmmakers of color with a powerful voice and presence in the market is unparalleled.
Omarr A Salgado’s story is one of rhythm, resilience, and the relentless pursuit of unity through the power of film and music. It’s a narrative that continues to inspire and influence the cultural tapestry of our times.
Check out Omarr and other hip hop greats in the November issue of Brownstone Living Magazine by subscribing today.
