Why I shunned business to become DJ – Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola

Weekend Magazine: Did you always want to be a DJ? Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola: Not particularly but I have always wanted to be involved in music. I believe I was born with a passion for music.WM: What inspired you to become one?Otedola: Generally speaking, my parents inspired me to chase my dreams. Both my mother and […]

Weekend Magazine: Did you always want to be a DJ?
Florence Ifeoluwa Otedola: Not particularly but I have always wanted to be involved in music. I believe I was born with a passion for music.
WM: What inspired you to become one?
Otedola: Generally speaking, my parents inspired me to chase my dreams. Both my mother and father are go-getters! They don’t see anything as a challenge and strive to be the best in what they do. This is the model I am and will continue to follow in my career.
WM: Being a female DJ, do people ever take you seriously?
Otedola: It’s tough to be in a male dominated industry and there are times when I am not taken seriously but I don’t let it affect me or what I do. It makes me work harder to prove them wrong. Whatever we girls do, we must do twice as well as boys to be thought half as good. For me, this is something that comes easily for me.
WM:  How did your parents welcome the idea that you wanted to become a DJ despite being from an influential family?
Otedola: I am lucky to have the most supportive parents ever! They had lots of advice for me and encouraged me to do what I loved. One thing they kept ringing into my ears was ‘anything worth doing is worth doing well.’ So this way I have no choice but to succeed in my chosen career path.
WM: At what age did you start being DJ?
Otedola: I started DJ-ing when I was 17 but I have always been into music from a very young age. I remember playing the piano in my room as a child.
WM: Where and how did your stage name ‘Cuppy’ come about?
Otedola: Haha… ‘Cuppy’ was derived from ‘Cupcakes.’ I have a thing for cupcakes and I actually used to be called ‘DJ Cupcake’ but I thought ‘Cuppy’ sounded more grown up and decided to change it. That was how Cuppy came to be.  
WM: If you were not a DJ what would you have become?
Otedola: Hmm, I think I would be involved in business. I would be a trader, I have had summer training internships in international trading houses but it’s not something I am currently thinking of getting involved in.
WM: What are the challenges of being a female DJ?
Otedola: Probably, people criticising you and assuming that you are not a good DJ because you are not a man.
WM: Being in a male dominated career, do your male counterparts intimidate you?
Otedola: No, I wouldn’t be doing it if I felt intimidated, they do not intimidate me. My main goal and focus is music and to succeed in doing music regardless of the challenges I face.
WM: Being the daughter to one of the most influential personalities in the country, does the family name open doors for you?
Otedola: Yes, the family name does open doors for me but you also have to keep in mind that my performance keeps those doors open for me.
WM: Do we see yourself taking over the business empire of your dad in the future?
Otedola: It is something that I haven’t given much thought to but I have an open mind and I can’t say I will never be involved in my father’s business.
WM: How would you rate the Nigerian entertainment industry?
Otedola: Wow, it’s not even possible to rate the Nigerian entertainment industry. It has come so far in such a short time! So many artistes in the Western world strive to be associated with Nigerian and African artistes as a whole. I can see the Nigerian music industry in particular, becoming more and more global in the years to come.
WM: What would you say is the best thing about being a DJ?
Otedola: The best thing about being a DJ is knowing that you are capable of reaching people’s minds and hearts through the music that you play and getting a good vibe and energy from the audience.
WM: How was growing up for you like?
Otedola: Growing up for me was great! I grew up on the mainland in Lagos, went to school in Ikeja and Victoria Island then moved to England for high school. I had quite an adventurous and culturally diverse childhood which has allowed me to keep an open mind in all I do.
WM: Have you released an album yet?
Otedola: No, it’s coming, wait for it. I did release a mix tape compilation of the hottest Afro-beat music called ‘House of Cuppy,’ in July 2014.
WM: Do you think DJs play a prominent role in the entertainment industry?
Otedola: Yes, DJs do play a prominent role. In a way, DJs help artistes in allowing their music to be more accessible. Also let’s not forget that there is no party without a DJ. We are literally the life of a party!
WM: You were the DJ for the MAMA awards, what was the experience like?
Otedola: It was out of this world. I am so grateful to have been given the opportunity to play on such a massive platform.
WM: Do we see you venturing into Nigerian movies soon?
Otedola: I like to keep an open mind, so maybe in the future, who knows? But for now I am fully focused on my career as a DJ, though I am currently one of the characters in a Nollywood child animation movie titled ‘Secret Princess.’
WM: Any last words for young females hoping to venture into the same career as yours?
Otedola: I would advise anyone hoping to chase a career in the industry to believe in themselves, work as hard as they possibly can and not to be afraid of trying new things. I am continually learning a lot myself and it is always good to keep an open mind.