If you haven’t taken a listen to up and coming singer Oya yet, don’t worry at some point you will! With a voice that rivals some of the greats and an on stage presence that is all her own, Oya is proving that she deserves a turn in the spotlight.
She took a few minutes out for us and we think you will be enchanted by the charm and spirt of Oya! Take a look at what she had to say in the interview below!
RNB: Your passion for your music is apparent with every note you sing, when did you realize that this was something that you wanted to take further?
Oya: Singing came naturally. I was around music my whole life. I started singing at the age of 3 in church with my Father and choir. I always knew that is what I was supposed to do
and that is what I did.
My Father was one of the lead vocalist in the church choir and was very active in the musical direction. My Father and mother put me in the choir and I would always sing duets with him or my family.
He taught me so much about music and how to sing from the heart. He did not tell me how to do it. I learned from his example.
People really felt him when he performed and I always wanted to be like that. His voice resonated through you and in you. You really felt him and you would be connected to your feelings.
The power of his voice and music captivated me and everyone in the church. It was powerful. I learned how it could heal people and bring them to peace and joy and I was hooked.
As time progressed I learned more about the art of music and writing through my brother. He purchased tons of music equipment and was always writing and creating music. I was super young and wanted so badly to play the instruments that he had in our room. I would come up with beats, hit strings in no formation and play imaginary chords on the piano until I began to find my way around the instruments. I started to take the blank sheets of paper and putting words to them and singing to chords on the piano creating music. I knew this was going to be my life. It just felt right.
RNB: Your stage show is flawless….do you do anything in particular to prepare for singing in front of a crowd?
Oya:Thank you so much Skyy. I appreciate that a great deal coming from you and you seeing so many great artist perform.
I do not do too much in particular outside of just taking that moment before the show to give thanks that I have a show. That I have the opportunity to hit the stage.
I meditate on that and with those thoughts alone I am energized and ready to go out there and give a great show to those I am so thankful for that came to see me.
I feel so super blessed at this point knowing that there are beautiful people out there ready for a great show and I just get to singing singing back stage and getting more and more energized
and then just go out there and go for it with the intention of bringing peace joy and a good time to the beautiful people out there.
RNB: Who are your favorite artists to perform with?
Oya: I just love creative artists. I love powerful voices and unique voices. I love those artist that really know how to work their instrument and can stop you from thinking about anything you might have been thinking about because they have captivated you. You know the kind that just stop you from whatever you are doing and you listen.
You are planted happily staring and listening to their voice or them play their instrument because they are so fabulous.
Those that are confident and truly respect the art and music
oh and that love to create on the spot. Those that can improv.
It is with these kind over singers and musicians that I have the most fun with. With these kind of artist we create magic on the spot.
Nothing like having these magical moments on stage live and it is with those kind of musicians and singers that this can happen.
RNB: What do you hope the fans take away from your music?
Oya: When someone reaches out to me after a show or finds me by way of social media and tells me that a song I wrote encourages them, moves them in a positive and loving way or got them through the day I am reminded why I do this.
I am here to energize through music and art. Bring forth Love, joy and peace. That is what I want my fans “my rays of light” to take from my music
RNB: Being that you are about positivity, love and light…do you find it difficult sometimes to maneuver in the current climate of RNB where things tend to be less about love and more about the physical side of things? What do you think can be done to get us back to hearing more love based music?
Thanks for noticing that is what I am about. I love that! I mean I can kinda see why you would ask that question of course because there is a certain reality of certain music that is out there and certain things that people may do to get ahead because it is commercial and it makes a lot of money but I am not moved by that. There are a lot of people that buy and love my music and other artist like me. There are some real solid R&B artist that are still doing well.
You know I speak to a lot of my clients and promoters directly and
they talk about the real R&B/Soul music of yesterday and still want it. I am not just talking about older clients but there is a young generation that understands there is more to music.
I honestly think if artist put out good love based music / great R&B records l that it will come back in be in the mainstream just fine. A lot of people are missing that kind of music.
They talk about man what happened to artist like this or that. We have them. There are some great artist out there doing great things but so many stop because they do not think it is viable. It is!
Do not jump ship because it is “not working” People will gravitate to good music period. It is a movement. Keep moving. Dont stop.
That is what I believe but if you stop making great R&B records because you do not think anyone will by them and just complain about the state of R&B instead of putting out good records then you are not doing anything to assist this genre of music. I know that there are a lot of hearts and ears that want to hear some wonderful love based R&B and just great R&B
RNB: Lastly can you give me 3 words to describe you as an artist?
Oya: Authentic, Diverse and Executor. Oh wait, wait and I have to say one more because Love is everything and why I do what I do. Loving!
Please let the readers know how they can keep up with you!
http://www.spiritofoya.com
http://www.youtube.com/spiritofoya
http://www.facebook.com/SpiritofOyaPage
Tweets by SpiritofOya
http://www.instagram.com/Spiritofoya
SPIRIT OF OYA CD avail on Itunes Amazon CD Baby and website www.spiritofoya.com
We want to thank Oya for sitting down with us and we look forward to seeing what she is cooking up in the studio soon!
