Eyes on the musical prize

What you need to know:

  • MUSIC IS HER ALL. Orisha Sound, an international artiste craves a Ugandan musical connection. She told EDGAR R. BATTE about her life and ambitions.
  • Whereas the notion is musicians are born, Orisha Sound is born and taught. She is a professional singer who trained in solfeggio, harmony, theory, history, orchestration, arrangement and production.

She grew up in a one-bedroom apartment with her parents and sister. It was too small to have a piano, she chose a violin. Orisha Sound, an international singer, spent most of her time alone in the apartment practicing music after school.
At six, her father brought her a little canary bird which would sing beautiful melodies. The bird has been a favourite among bird keepers for ages.
At the age of nine, Orisha joined a group of protégé children and they went on a tour that saw them travel from Russia to New York City. They did about 20 shows in 30 days on the East Coast, USA.
Unbelievable as it may sound to the average reader, Orisha says it was phenomenal; the reception, stage rush, travelling- she loved all of it and felt determined to do more.
“I didn’t care if my fingers bled or I was tired - it was all worth it,” she adds.

Music ambitions
Today, she has done two songs with Ugandan artistes. Title with Spice Diana. “We have lots of expectations for the tune because it is getting lots of great following. It is already getting some nice airplay in Caribbean, Africa and UK. I’m getting lots of fan mail everyday about this tune,” Orisha explains.
With Papa Cidy, she did Warrior, a reggae tune which has enjoyed airplay in the Caribbean and other African countries. And for an artiste who has shared studio with reggae and raga greats such as Beenie Man and Sizzla, she says she longs to spread her wings to Uganda where she is willing to push the music collaborations. When contacted, Papa Cidy expressed optimism of their music collaboration and revealed that they are working on shooting a music video.

“We got in touch with one another through social media. She sent me her version and I incorporated my part. It was merged and mixed by producer Habert Skillz. The song has received airplay in some clubs, bars and radio stations,” Papa Cidy explains.

“I had worked with Timberland, Devante Swing, Andrew Lane, Shel-K, Alexis Faku and many other great producers. In Uganda, I have been working with Herbert Skillz – he produced several Orisha Sound remixes – for my hit tune with Sizzla Kalonji Embrace It, World War Three ft. Beenie Man, Own Ya and several other ones. He as well produced our latest collaboration, Title,” she adds.

Coming to Uganda
She has not been to Uganda but looks forward to the trip down East Africa. “I get letters and calls every day – ‘when am I coming to Uganda’. I get lots of love from Uganda and I appreciate it so much. When I do my first show there – I will make sure the fans get a chance to hear and see the best of Orisha Sound.”

What it takes
She describes the music industry as a lonely ‘thing’, adding, “It’s about waiting in a dressing room to hit the stage, it’s about travelling far to do a show. It’s about endless night hours in the studio. About the people telling you – you not good when you are actually great. The industry is rough. But I’m used to it. I actually like it- it fits my competitive side. I am a very competitive girl.”

Quick notes
Orisha is born to a Brazilian mother and a father of Russian descent. She is based in Kingston, Jamaica. She has two music albums Cupid, 1Reggae and 13 singles.
Orisha is her birth name.

“My mother gave it to me. Sound developed later when I was completing school and started working at the studios and playing at shows as a singer/musician/writer. Given my ability to play instruments people started calling me “sound” – I could come into any song and bring something to it. I don’t limit myself by playing an instrument the traditional way – any musical instrument is a phenomenal invention – it can produce so many sounds,” the Jamaican-based artiste explains.

Whereas the notion is musicians are born, Orisha Sound is born and taught. She is a professional singer who trained in solfeggio, harmony, theory, history, orchestration, arrangement and production.
She played and sang with quartets, orchestras and ensembles throughout recording sessions or live performances. This earned her membership of professional Musicians Union in the United States. She taught in University of Southern California and Musicians Institute.

“I have music degrees from St Petersburg Music Conservatoire and Musicians Institute in Hollywood. I also worked for over a year in the studio with Devente Swing – Jodeci producer – who gave me wicked knowledge of production, song-writing and basic artist sense. I also had amazing mentors who introduced me to the industry in LA,” she spells out.
She adds, “I love nature- ocean, beach, so I guess some steam fish at the beach and oysters. I love those days. I always go swimming and you can’t get me out of water like a child. I like party, books and movies, fashion, sports and trying new things. I do yoga and meditate. I enjoy cooking too. I wish there was more time for all.”