Uejaa makes bold entrance with debut EP 'Echoes of Indigo'

Captivating audiences with her creative vision
The rising Namibian artist blends genres and soulful sounds in her first official project.
Michael Kayunde
In a music climate heavily dominated by the pulsating beats of Amapiano, Uejaa is carving out her own space with her latest EP, ‘Echoes of Indigo.’ In an exclusive interview with tjil, she reveals the creative forces that shaped the EP and her hopes for its impact.

"'Echoes of Indigo' was born out of a desire to explore,” Uejaa said, reflecting on the process that led to her first official project. “It was quite interesting because I didn’t stick to one genre. I wanted the EP to be versatile.”

Working closely with her producer Devitchi, Uejaa realised it was time to put out a body of original work, especially after fans repeatedly asked for her own songs. “People would always say they want to hear original songs,” she explained.

“So, with Devitchi’s help, the EP came to life.” Though the songs on ‘Echoes of Indigo’ weren’t tied to a single emotion, they collectively form a fun and vibrant collection that Uejaa hopes listeners will enjoy.

Uejaa’s sound is distinct – an amalgamation of influences both personal and musical. She credits artists like Jorja Smith, H.E.R. and Yebba for inspiring her sonic direction. “I listen to a lot of different genres,” she said, adding that her creative camp, SLF, also played a pivotal role. “They create really cool songs, and that inspires me too.”

Since ‘Echoes of Indigo’ dropped, the reception has been overwhelmingly positive, much to Uejaa’s surprise. “When I first released the EP, I was so nervous, thinking people wouldn’t play it,” she admitted. “But I was wrong. People love it. It’s my first EP, and the experience turned out amazing. I’m just grateful that people play my music.”

Exploring genres

In a country like Namibia, where Amapiano dominates the airwaves, Uejaa’s decision to stick with R&B reflects her commitment to authenticity. “I just felt like sticking to something I love,” she explained. “Making soulful R&B music is my niche. However, I’d like to think of myself as versatile – I don’t plan on just making R&B songs. I enjoy tapping into different genres.”

One standout track on the EP, ‘Way Back,’ was a challenging piece to create, partly due to the unconventional process behind it. “Bl.cksensation and I had to write that song in 20 minutes – it was a challenge,” she recalled with a smile. Despite her nerves, the song turned out to be one of her favourites on the EP.

As an emerging artist, Uejaa’s goals for ‘Echoes of Indigo’ are simple yet impactful. “Honestly, this was just me trying to put my name out there,” she concluded. The EP is available for streaming on all major platforms.

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Namibian Sun 2024-11-23

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