Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola, a.k.a. DJ Cuppy, who recently graduated from Kings College in the United Kingdom, started off as a disc-jockey (DJ), when she was about 16 years old. At 21, she is not only living her dream as a sought-after dee-jay, she is also Nigeria’s tourism ambassador, with a single titled: ‘I Love My Country’ as well as the House of Cuppy compilation to her credit. The daughter of billionaire businessman, Femi otedola, at a recent media parley in Lagos shared her dreams with Assistant Life Editor, TERH AGBEDEH.
How long have you been in music?
DJ Cuppy
I am currently 21 years old; so that will make it five years. But I will say that I became professionally involved in music a year ago when I launched my single called, ‘I Love My Country’. It was an original song by Tunji Oyelana, which was written by Wole Soyinka. It was released last year and it has a music video. I guess it is a revival of the old song. I have lived half my life in Nigeria and the other half in the United Kingdom. So I guess, in my music I reflect both cultures. There is this sound that everybody refers to as house. It is something I am very passionate about. So I make sure that when I am in London or whenever I travel with my job, I take a piece of Nigeria with me and I am constantly playing Nigerian music. But I also infuse it with other types of music, which I think makes me unique as a DJ.
Do people take you seriously as a DJ?
People do make assumptions. So there are times when I go to a venue and maybe I am with my general manager and they look at him and say the DJ is here. There is this assumption that I can’t be the DJ because it is not something that people expect. But, do I love my job and do it well? Yes.
How busy are you?
Very well (laughter). I mean, it is something that has been very incremental. I think it is because I put 101 per cent in everything that I do. I like to do things very well. I believe that everything worth doing is worth doing well. I try not to get myself involved in too many projects because when I do something, I like to focus on it. We are halfway through the year and I am already looking towards projects for next year.
What medium of expression did you use when you did ‘I Love My Country’?
I sampled the chorus of ‘I love my country’. Just that part, because I think it is quite a powerful song. I think Nigeria as a country – because of globalisation and how interlinked everything is – is becoming more and more open to new sounds. So, for me, it was getting something that was very Nigerian and I am making it become something that anyone can listen to. With my new project, House of Cuppy, that is the same thing I did. I got five of my favourite Nigerian songs and interpreted them in my own way, with a different sound. That is how I got the fusion of Afrobeat and house.
House is new in Nigeria, so how do you hope to sustain this?
Old music in Nigeria, I mean, even the Nigerian music we listen to today, is very different and we have seen different influences from different genres. So Nigerian music itself is not the Nigerian music we used to listen to back in the days. Music is what people are using to socialise. There is a new wave of sound going around. There was a big racket called ‘Kona’, which is South African. Having a sound like that so successful in Nigeria is so refreshing because it shows that people are ready for new sounds.
What is your long term plan like?
My long term plan is why I started my own company. As far as Nigerian music and Nigerian musical content is concerned, I see so much potential on a global scale. I am a Nigerian. I am bringing other sounds to Nigeria. But I also want to take Nigeria to other places that have different sounds. With my job, I am so fortunate because I get to travel around. It is amazing how I think we underestimate the power of music. I mean, if you look at the population of Nigeria and how, no matter where you go, certain sounds are prevalent and how people use music as a way to interact, I fell like, in the long run, having a business that gives opportunity for African artistes to have a global platform. I am not talking about that cliche sort of record company or having some sort of musical group per se. It’s really having things like publishing rights, having writers and producers particularly.
In this modern time, I can see DJs and producers being more prevalent. If we look at the Nigerian industry, you will see that DJs, producers and songwriters are being recognised. These are people that are normally behind the artiste. So, moving forward, I think there is going to be a lot of changes in the industry. You look at the business side. It is great that I have a talent, but at the end of the day, how is it commercialised?
I am actually doing my master’s in New York City, and I will be doing a course in music business. I am looking forward to studying things like the accountancy of sales, the legal side of entertainment etc because I think a lot of music talents get wasted or sort of lose out on tenure because they are not well protected. So when I talk about my 10-year plan, it is really essentially being part of a legacy of changing the Nigerian music industry to one that is very lucrative.
What has been the reaction of your parents to your foray into music?
I have to say that I am very lucky; I have the most supportive parents in the world. I think, generally, that what stops a lot of young people from following their passion is lack of moral support. Young people nowadays have either too much information or too little information. I have the most amazing team and handy advisers as well. My parents push me to be a better version of me.
Growing up is scary and I am very excited about my project. So sometimes I am quite overwhelmed in the world. But I think it is very exciting and I feel very fortunate and blessed to have parents that believe in me, parents that are pushing me constantly and challenging me.
People tend to suggest that your success is because of your father’s wealth?
Quite often, people get distracted by background information. Here I am following my dreams and doing a very exciting project. I have had gigs and people have come up to me to say: Wow, you can actually dee-jay. Things like that. I laugh out. I won’t say it is disappointing, but it is a bit like, perhaps, I got the job for the wrong reason. I am a very honest person and I only hope that people start identifying more with what I do and how passionate I am about what I do.
In life, we all have different platforms; everyone has their own personal battles and benefits. But it is about execution. So, do I go to my job and do I do it well? You may get opportunity based on different things. But that will only take you as far as it will take you; after a while, if you are not good at what you do, then you won’t have anything to do. I am glad to say that I am still here; so I think that is going well.
You were official DJ for the MTV Africa Music Awards (MAMA), could you share your experience at the awards?
Being the resident DJ for the MTV Africa Music Awards was such an amazing thing. It was very interesting because they approached me and said: we like what you are doing, especially with house music. Talking about different sounds in Africa, house is very big in South Africa and we see it seeping into the Nigerian music industry. Nigerian music is very big as well in South Africa; so I think there is a synergy between the two and it was a great gig, but different. With the job I do, I get to do different things. That is an award show. I have done weddings and birthdays. I have dee-jayed for the Financial Times in Mexico, which was absolutely fantastic. My job keeps me on my toes and I get to do different things. I am constantly learning as well on the job.
