Two things that are undeniable about Oteya; 1. She is a goddess at what she does, 2; She deserves a standing ovation every time she walks into a room or walks up on stage. For someone whose name means she is coming, she has been coming with only the best that music can offer and we cannot seem to get enough of the mother of one. So we sat her down to talk about her ventures, life as a woman in the industry, motherhood and all things glitter and glamour.

Oteya who is currently working on her upcoming album says that she has been busy on the album and has really been taking her time in order to provide her fans with quality music like she has always done. The “Efimbo” hit maker says that unlike her previous work, this time she has had quite a few local collaborations; female collaborations including Adora and Lioness.

When asked about the estimated release date for the album, the pleasant star gives off a coy laugh and says that the release is likely to be late next year. She however assures us that she will be releasing singles from the album leading up to the release. So we can be calm, because we will definitely be seeing her.

When asked about motherhood and the connotations around being a mother and a performing artist, Oteya had this to say:

“I look at music as any other job, it’s the same as a mother who has an 8-5 job. You work, produce, do shows and get paid. I look at it differently and people should too, it shouldn’t be that music is different from any other work. We are all trying to make a living and support our families. Women in general, we are multitaskers and music does not make me different from any other woman.”

About being a mother, Oteya expresses that she does feel like sometimes she is not spending enough time with her 6 year old son but explains that its a natural maternal feeling and has nothing to do with the job she does. But what consoles her is that she knows that whatever she does is to take care of him and to provide for him. And we could not agree more.

“We are all doing our best and sometimes we get it right, other times we don’t.”

Her advice to young girls wanting to enter the music industry; BE REALISTIC. Namibia is a very small country, the fanbase is small and you cant expect the same fame that people from other countries or ones from Namibia that have been in the industry longer have. You need a backup plan, so go to school, get your degree and do music on the side until a point where you are sure you can definitely make a good living off of music. And BE HUMBLE.

GET TO KNOW OTEYA

• Where are your fans most likely to find you: The Grove Mall
• If you were a drink, what would it be: An exotic cocktail, with like different colors
• Weirdest talent: I can pound mahangu really well.
• Whats the most uncomfortable thing people say to you: “you are prettier in person” “your nose, it’s so white”
• Whats the craziest thing a fan has ever done: The number on my IG page is my husband’s so sometimes fans would call at odd hours and hang up when my husband answers.

Watch Oteya new video from her latest single Di Matta featuring Lioness