The British DJ & MC Academy are pleased to announce that in this months edition of K Mag the editors have generously featured a remarkable article on us!
K Mag (knowledge magazine) is an on-line provider of the latest drum and bass, hip hop, breaks, dubstep and electronica news, reviews and interviews. They have been publishing magazines, building websites and promoting events for over an astounding 15 years now.
The article was written by an exceptional freelance writer Joanna Ranson, who eloquently trajectories the development and on going success of the academy in putting back into the community and encouraging, motivating and positively guiding young people in optimising their talents.
Last Month The DJ & MC Academy launched their new News feature Star Student, which has recieved an abundance of positive feedback and requests from former students to academy friends all the way up to sponsors and organisers. In the month of Febuary, The DJ & MC Academy have decided to put a twist on its Star Student page in order to showcase their more established of students, who are already leaving their mark on the music scene and well underway to pathing a career in the music industry!
Omotara Aladegbamigbe, stage name Omotee Angel K, is a 17 year old up and coming Artist and a British born Nigerian with a difference. Growing up on the streets of Woolwich (South East London) has certainly contributed to the urban sound of her music, which is personified along with an infusion of ethnic resonance and patriotic lyricism, paying homage to her Nigerian heritage.
Omotee Angel K (former student and supporter of the Academy) last week released her first single ‘RepreZent‘ which she collaborated with S.H.I.M.Z.I.E. Omotee Angel K was kind enough to do an interview with the DJ & MC Academy this week and here is what she had to say.
DJMC: So, Omotee Angel K, tell the Academy how you came up with the concept of your track Reprezent? and how do you feel the track RepreZent’s you?
Omotee Angel K: “Coming up towards the end of 2010, I decided to get serious about my music. I visited a friend who has a studio and explained my situation, and he agreed to do me an afro, techno beat and started work on it straight away. We decided to make a track that expressed what we ‘RepreZent’ and thats how we came up with the concept and title of the track. Personally, I feel the Song is about ‘Reprezenting what we believe in as young people’ as well as repreZenting Christianity and going back to my roots, which are Nigerian. Some people believe that just because we live in a western society we forget where we are from and what we believe in, but its not like that at all and I feel I reflect this in my lyrics and music.”
DJMC: Interesting! Are you saying that your track ‘RepreZents’ identifies you culturally and socially growing up in urban London so that people can relate to your music?
Omotee Angel K: “I talk about my heritage alot because I want people to know and to be able to associate with me in everyway possible, be it culturally, musically, sportively or anything. Almost everyone that has listened to my lyrics have grasped the bar “CHECK MY DNA IM NAIJA MADE” To me this is a significant line as it identifies that even though I was born in London I still know where I am from. I believe that this reflects on current society because alot of people may have forgoten where they originate from.”
DJMC: What was it in particluar about RepreZent that you decided to release the track as your first single?
Omotee Angel K: There was a lot of controversy in regards to me releasing this song as my first single because it was talking about my heritage and certain people made me feel I wouldnt go far if I released a song like this one. I felt I should give up but remembered what Kerry & Chuck taught me in the first year with the Academy about following your dreams because you can only go as far as you want to and the Academy’s full support in what I do musically pulled me through. Also would like to say a Big up to my Boy S.H.I.M.Z.I.E. He is also an upcoming artist who assisted me in my music production, promotion etc.
DJMC: talking of heritage, who influenced your taste in music? and which musical artists inspired you that you wanted to pursue a music career yourself?
Amotee Angel K: I make Afro music, Hip hop and also Religious music (im very flexible), but I grew up listening to people like Usher, R-kelly, Toni Braxton, Akon, Missy Elliot and many others. I always tried to imitate these artists, however, now I am older I see that I could never be someone else other than myself. So now, I strive to be successful and perform with my own uniquness. I Did refer to an artist Called D’banj who is lyrically amazing. I have also alot of African and American Artist’s I look up to…R.I.P BIGGIE, One of the best. Big Up To My Girls, LADY MC & DJ TRICKLES, Positive female role models in society who are creating and carving the path in positive ways for young people in and around the UK.
DJMC (humbled): We are honoured to be considered as inspiration in your success! Could you tell us when and why you decided to enrol with the DJ & MC Academy? What you have gained from your participation in our accredited courses and how it has helped you to develop as an artist?
I Enrolled with The British DJ & MC Academy in 2009 because I have a strong passion for music and I wanted to find a way of commencing my music officially. I Took part in The DJ & MC’ing Course in 2009 and again in 2010, as the course was an accredited course whereby I passed a national QCF level 1 award in the Arts. If I was to start listing all the skills I have gained and learn’t from this experience, people would be reading for days! The tutors were so friendly and thoughtful, to the extent that even when the course was over they still checked on my progress and everything I may have needed assistance with e.g. Equiptment ect.
I gained some encouraging and quality advice along the way, which will stay with me forever rest assured. The Academy has taught me how to be bold, to be ambitious, smart, work as part of a team and has given me independence. My experience really cannot be summed up in one word alone, so i’m saying OUTOFTHISWORLD!
As a result of my participation of this course, I have now released my first single and working on an album.
BIG UP ALL THE TUTORS OF THE ACADEMY MUCH LOVE TO YOU ALL TRULY DO APPRECIATE FOR REAL“
Be the first to hearit here>> [audio:http://blog.djandmcacademy.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Reprezent_21.mp3|titles=Omotee Angel K – RepreZent] Omotee Angel K – RepreZent
The British DJ & MC Academy are seeking volunteers who would like to get actively involved in our Academy and to make a difference! If you have 2 to 10 hours available per week, the door is open for you!
Volunteers are welcome to join our office team and get hands on behind the scenes. For those who are seeking a more creative role have the opportunity to contribute to the Academie’s various music workshops! Alternatively, if its not suitable for you to travel to our office or workshop locations, you can flyer for us at your local schools, colleges and still earn recognition.
At the DJ & MC Academy we understand the importance of volunteering and how useful it can be in gaining valuable hands on work experience in the creative sector as well as the prospects of job opportunities.
We are here to give you work experience in changing lives!
If you are interested please contact our office on 0208 691 7227!
