Tshepiso Ramalekana, aka Omee Otis, an upcoming independent hip-hop artist talked to Midrand Reporter about his music.
The 22-year-old and former Midrand Primary School pupil said he grew up in a family that did not have much interest in music. He said, “The only type of music you would hear in the house was gospel and only on selected days. My uncle was the biggest musical influence, I would always hear music coming from his room.”
Omee Otis listened to a lot of kwaito and RnB at a young age but grew attached to hip-hop. In 2014 he started taking his music more seriously. He is currently studying music at the Soulcandi Music Institute in Sandton.
“I was introduced to a company called Waptrendz by a friend and the company has since invested in my career as a musician and I am now an ambassador of the company.”
He said he has also had the opportunity to open and share stages with South African big acts and his inspirational artists such as Cassper Nyovest, Riky Rick, Kwesta, KO, Candy Tsa Mandebele and King Monada.
He stated, “I have also made appearances on TV and featured in a friend’s music video, Ceezona’s Heya Hey and co-hosted a talent show event and more. I never limit myself when it comes to goals, I still want to feature with the likes of Riky Rick, Emtee and perform on the biggest stages outside my country.
“The music industry is not as easy as it seems, it takes a lot of hard work, frustration, investment and courage to make it.”
Omee Otis is currently working on his first mixtape called From Here Nothing Is Impossible and a music video.
Marketing executive at Waptrendz, Chiko Simpungwe, said the company focusses on giving upcoming artists a platform to grow their music. “We invest a lot in helping artists to market themselves online, and those artists who end up being our ambassadors enjoy travel and bookings in gigs which help to take their careers far.
“We expose them to opportunities that make their journey as upcoming artists less challenging.”
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