Listen: The Omar Little Playlist

Best-known for playing one of the best characters ever in the history of television — Omar Little on The Wire — actor Michael K. Williams recently spoke to New York Magazine about the role music plays in his creative process. "Music is always part of my characters' make-up. All my characters have playlists," he says. Omar Little was a gay stick-up man; a Robin Hood type with a militant regard for his own rules, who made a living robbing drug dealers and other low-lives.

The actor has shared the full playlist he compiled while playing Omar on the HBO series and, fittingly, each song is as introspective as it is violent. So many words, so many emotions. It goes heavy on 2Pac and Biggie, with Lauryn Hill making more than one appearance. Nas is a constant for all of his characters, he says, though these days he never listens to his Omar playlist: "I know where it's gonna take me," he cautions.

Here's the full list, along with some of our favourites. RIP Omar.

2pac — 'Unconditional Love'
Nas — 'Let There be Light'
Young Jeezy — 'Dreamin''
Mary J. Blige — 'My Life'
Lauryn Hill — 'Oh Jerusalem'
Jay-Z — 'You Must Love Me'
2pac — 'So Many Tears'
Biggie Smalls — 'Suicidal Thoughts'
Young Jeezy — 'Bury me a G'
Jay-Z — 'Oh My God'
Biggie Smalls — 'Who Shot Ya'
2pac — 'Against All Odds'
Biggie Smalls — 'Everyday Struggle'
Nas — 'One Mic'
Lauryn Hill — 'War in the Mind'
Common — 'It's Your World'
Lauryn Hill — 'Mystery of Iniquity'
Meshell Ndegeocello — 'Akel Dama (Field of Blood)'
Lauryn Hill — 'I Gotta Find Peace of Mind'
2pac — 'Dear Mama'
Sun Tan — 'Sunscreen'

Notorious B.I.G — 'Who Shot Ya?'

Lauryn Hill — 'War in the Mind (Freedom Time)'

2Pac — 'So Many Tears'

Nas — 'Let There Be Light'

And you can listen to the entire playlist at Spotify.

Emily Royal