We sat down and interviewed upcoming Canadian female artist Okaaysami and she had a lot to say. Read our interview with her below and follow her on all social platforms.
1. What hometown are you repping?
I am repping rexdale. I grew up in Humberwood & Rexdale, it really made me who I am.
2. What are some of your influences?
My biggest influence is The Weeknd. I've been listening to him since 2011, The Noise EP. His music is dark & eerie, and I'm attracted to darkness. His voice is so smooth and unique. I can really resonate to the lyrics he talks about, especially in Trilogy. I also love Michael Jackson and they're both so similar. Another influence would be Beyonce, because her confidence is highly inspiring and her strong personality as a black woman in an industry that doesn't take us seriously gives me hope. Rico Nasty, G Herbo, Jay Z, Kanye West, Travis Scott, J Cole, Migos, Gunna, and Ariana Grande are also big influences when it comes to sound.
3. What has been your biggest accomplishment as an artist so far?
I would say my 2 biggest accomplishments are being accepted in The Weeknd & Lamar Taylor's HXOUSE Program, and also being the first female rapper from my area on a billboard.
4.What are some of the accomplishments you’re aiming for in the near future?
I'm aiming to be the first female signed to 2 specific labels, don't really want to say which labels they are. I'm also aiming to own properties in the future and to attain multiple streams of income. Also, hopefully one day, a Juno's award will be in my posession.
5. Tell us about your most recent release. What is it about? What is the message you’re conveying through your music?
My most recent release is called, "Addicted To The Lifestyle!" It is about me being way too comfortable being stuck in a depressive state. It's about re-living the same day over and over again without really making a change to better my quality of life. The message is that many individuals go through bad things in life, but it is up to an individual to realize their lifestyle is detrimental and to want to honestly stop the negative cycle. Most of my music has meaning behind it, or like a hidden message.
6. How long have you been in the game?
I have been making music since I was a kid, but I've been in the game since January 2019. I dropped my first song, Mr. Moseby, January 2nd, 2019.
7. What’s your message to your fans?
I want to thank my supporters for continuously reposting, giving me encouraging + kind words, and for always bringing positivity my way. My message to my supporters is to always believe in yourself, stay true to yourself, and always life to please yourself.
8. Due to everything happening this year, what are your thoughts on the Black Lives Matter movement? And do you support it?
This year has been very drastic. Especially with that horrible George Floyd situation, it was so brutal. I support the Black Lives Matter movement. I believe the suffering, pain, and discrimination black people have and still continue to experience needs to be put to an end. We deserve rights, peace, and equality.
9. Do you feel that mental health is a topic others should express and talk about more?
Yes, mental health is a topic that should be talked about more. Especially in the black community, because we face it the most, yet we neglect that it is an issue. In the hood, you grow up seeing your own friends die, seeing hood wars, house raids, abuse, alcoholism, so many messed up things, yet it's all normalized. People don't realize that all these things are traumatizing, and that the whole "defensive act," "tough guy act," "rude stush girl act," "paranoid antics," is all because of PTSD or other mental disorders/illness. Mental health should be taken as seriously as physical health. It is real and it affects people drastically, yet no one takes it seriously. My goal is to spread the word and raise awareness, so others could realize how important this issue is.
10. What advice would you like to share with your supporters on how to keep going and staying positive?
Grind, grind, grind, no matter what. Don't compare yourself to someone else's success, because comparison is the thief of happiness. Your time will come! Never put yourself down and always pursue your dreams. What you do now determines your future, so stop waiting to start doing what you really want to do. Lastly, always kill people with kindness. Never be bothered by anything, keep it pushing & ignore! This is your world, don't let anyone interfere with it.
Stream the single "I Heard a Rumour" on ALL platforms here : https://ffm.to/yqkqjba
Soundcloud: https://soundcloud.com/okaaysami/i-
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/okaaysami
Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/okaaysami
Appreciate this! Much love ✨