Oteya - a global brand
Queen Oteezy has done it all, the award winning, national touring, collaborations and the music. She decided branch out to see and learn what the musical world has to offer and so far she has great collaborations that are doing well in Zambia and Ghana.
In a one-on-one interview, she speaks about her career move with tjil and what she has learned so far.
T (tjil): When you embarked on this journey, did you fear not finding the talent you needed to match what you wanted for your career in another country?
Oteya (O): I did not fear… I was rather confident because I had done my research and knew the talent that was present in those specific countries. I knew that since I had worked hard back home to establish myself and I had a large following, it would make it easier for any said artist to work with me because we all know that in this business, once you've established yourself, it's easier to do collaborations.
T: Do you believe you have built a strong enough and solid foundation at home to branch out?
O: Yes, I do believe I have built a strong foundation back home which was my plan when I embarked my solo career. I'm very happy that I established myself as a household name in such a short period of time. In the beginning I was concerned that the public will take longer to accept me as a solo artist seeing as I came from the very successful group 'Gal Level'. Thankfully the response to my solo career was positive that I even managed to attract a new fan base. My local goals were to establish my brand 'Oteya' and release two albums, go on the national Vigo tour, bank the biggest local award Female Artist of The Year, share the stage with international artists, P-Square, Trey Songz and Boys II Men. I feel I have achieved my local goals and it's for this reason that I have started to challenge myself and embark on an international reach.
T: Your international collabos so far are amazing and they are doing fantastic indeed. From your point of view, do you believe you have the bench strength for international expansion?
O: Thank you. I'm glad you have taken note of that. Yes, of course I do. If I did not have the ability to, I wouldn't have embarked on this journey in the first place. I strongly believe there's room for me internationally. I just need to work harder and remain consistent.
T: When did you know you were financially able to sustain an overseas expansion or what does one need to do to get there?
O: I am fortunate enough to be signed under a music label and that's the beauty of this. Unlike an independent artist, my music label financially invests in music career. My focus is to record good music and they take care of the rest.
T: What has been your most touching or amazing moment you've experienced when working with international artists?
O: I have been amazed by how humble the international artists are, how creative and talented they are. I have learnt so much from their work ethic.
T: What is the one thing you believe Namibian artists neglect in their careers that the international artists you have worked with cherish, that we could learn from?
O: I think what our artists neglect is that music is meant to bring people together. Recording music with other artists is meant to be exciting and an experience not always about competition but about creating good music together. There is so much unity outside as opposed to here in Namibia which has attributed to the growth in those industries.
T: Does this mean you will only be working with international artists?
O: It's imperative for local artists to do international collaborations so as to take their music to other countries. Thing is, it's not easy to have your songs played on international radio stations and television unless you collaborate with artists from a specific country you are interested to conquer and vice versa. Collaborations are important because they other doors for artists in specific countries. The benefits range from concerts in those countries and endorsements back home.
June Shimuoshili
PHOTOS: Nib Studios
T (tjil): When you embarked on this journey, did you fear not finding the talent you needed to match what you wanted for your career in another country?
Oteya (O): I did not fear… I was rather confident because I had done my research and knew the talent that was present in those specific countries. I knew that since I had worked hard back home to establish myself and I had a large following, it would make it easier for any said artist to work with me because we all know that in this business, once you've established yourself, it's easier to do collaborations.
T: Do you believe you have built a strong enough and solid foundation at home to branch out?
O: Yes, I do believe I have built a strong foundation back home which was my plan when I embarked my solo career. I'm very happy that I established myself as a household name in such a short period of time. In the beginning I was concerned that the public will take longer to accept me as a solo artist seeing as I came from the very successful group 'Gal Level'. Thankfully the response to my solo career was positive that I even managed to attract a new fan base. My local goals were to establish my brand 'Oteya' and release two albums, go on the national Vigo tour, bank the biggest local award Female Artist of The Year, share the stage with international artists, P-Square, Trey Songz and Boys II Men. I feel I have achieved my local goals and it's for this reason that I have started to challenge myself and embark on an international reach.
T: Your international collabos so far are amazing and they are doing fantastic indeed. From your point of view, do you believe you have the bench strength for international expansion?
O: Thank you. I'm glad you have taken note of that. Yes, of course I do. If I did not have the ability to, I wouldn't have embarked on this journey in the first place. I strongly believe there's room for me internationally. I just need to work harder and remain consistent.
T: When did you know you were financially able to sustain an overseas expansion or what does one need to do to get there?
O: I am fortunate enough to be signed under a music label and that's the beauty of this. Unlike an independent artist, my music label financially invests in music career. My focus is to record good music and they take care of the rest.
T: What has been your most touching or amazing moment you've experienced when working with international artists?
O: I have been amazed by how humble the international artists are, how creative and talented they are. I have learnt so much from their work ethic.
T: What is the one thing you believe Namibian artists neglect in their careers that the international artists you have worked with cherish, that we could learn from?
O: I think what our artists neglect is that music is meant to bring people together. Recording music with other artists is meant to be exciting and an experience not always about competition but about creating good music together. There is so much unity outside as opposed to here in Namibia which has attributed to the growth in those industries.
T: Does this mean you will only be working with international artists?
O: It's imperative for local artists to do international collaborations so as to take their music to other countries. Thing is, it's not easy to have your songs played on international radio stations and television unless you collaborate with artists from a specific country you are interested to conquer and vice versa. Collaborations are important because they other doors for artists in specific countries. The benefits range from concerts in those countries and endorsements back home.
June Shimuoshili
PHOTOS: Nib Studios
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