interview: reggae-agenda.nl meets empress black omolo
"you can take me outta africa, but you can't take africa outta me"
Empress Black Omolo (Rita Omolo Achieng) was born in 1989 in the beautiful and inspiring country of Kenya. When did you come to the Netherlands and what can you remember of this big change?
I came to the Netherlands in 1994 as a young girl of 5 years old, the climate change, food and culture was a shock for me, but as a little girl u get used and adapt easier. We have actually been to Kenya twice and simply fell in love with this inspiring country What part of Kenya are you from and tell us a little about life in this area? I was Born In Nairobi but i am from the western part of Kenya called Kisumu in the Nyanza Province. The Town is situated right on the shores of Lake Victoria. This Vibrant cosmopilitan city trives in Fishin industry and Rice farming. How do you feel about the way the media is reflecting Kenya nowadays? Of Late theres been a lot of negative Reporting about Kenya because of the isolated terrorist attacks in an otherwise most peaceful nation in the East African region. How are you doing today in our likkle country? Do you feel at home? Im Doing Allright In Holland,i Got used to the place, Its Like my Second Home...Ive been here the most time of my life, The culture and tradition here is diffrent than Mine or from Kenya But ive Adopted whats Neccecary and Kept my Culture . As the saying goes * You can take me from Africa but You cant take Africa Out of Me* That Lives strong In Me. Its not eassy as a Single Mother here in the west while my family is down the east , I give thanks my mother is here with me and she s alway supported me from start. I keep The Vibez Positive and see each and everyday as a new blessing to reech Closer To my Goals.And Repatriate back Home! |
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You seem like a constant source of positivity and power. Where do you get your inspiration from?
My inspiration comes from the most high, Since i opened my heart for rastafarI my spiritual world opened up My conciousness started to grow more and more... Also do i get inspired by life expirience, My environment, My Life , Your Life. Life to me is a journey full of lessons , i learn each and every day more and experience nuff things in life to turn negative into positive, I learned Using Love as a weapon to destroy all evil and negative vibez that come around....
Are you into RastafarI or just reggae music?
I see RastafarI Growing in different wayz, I love to see how nuff people (especially the youths) getting more conscious these days , and see how nuff open their hart for rastafarI , and try keep it real with dem selves, In the same time its a shame to see how nuff dont know about HIM and pretend to know... The Rastafari Community in the Netherlands is very small compared to other countries ive been to... So there's a next mission here fi connect inna Inity and strenghten up we selves down here... on the end I see it as a journey for everyone on his own way, still ill keep on spreading the words on the level of each on teach one, And for those who need to know their roots they shall seek and find.
You are clearly a proud African empress. Is Reggae music a way for you to connect to your African roots since music is an essential part of life in Mama AfREEca? Yes Reggae music is one of the wayz to connect to my african Roots, As ive been raised with reggae music by my parents..
My inspiration comes from the most high, Since i opened my heart for rastafarI my spiritual world opened up My conciousness started to grow more and more... Also do i get inspired by life expirience, My environment, My Life , Your Life. Life to me is a journey full of lessons , i learn each and every day more and experience nuff things in life to turn negative into positive, I learned Using Love as a weapon to destroy all evil and negative vibez that come around....
Are you into RastafarI or just reggae music?
I see RastafarI Growing in different wayz, I love to see how nuff people (especially the youths) getting more conscious these days , and see how nuff open their hart for rastafarI , and try keep it real with dem selves, In the same time its a shame to see how nuff dont know about HIM and pretend to know... The Rastafari Community in the Netherlands is very small compared to other countries ive been to... So there's a next mission here fi connect inna Inity and strenghten up we selves down here... on the end I see it as a journey for everyone on his own way, still ill keep on spreading the words on the level of each on teach one, And for those who need to know their roots they shall seek and find.
You are clearly a proud African empress. Is Reggae music a way for you to connect to your African roots since music is an essential part of life in Mama AfREEca? Yes Reggae music is one of the wayz to connect to my african Roots, As ive been raised with reggae music by my parents..
It was a honour, a blessing to have worked with Warrior King. He has always been one of i inspiration from I long musical journey. We recorded a nice tune coming out this year
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Empress Black performing in Bibelo, Dordrecht.
(backed by FiyahNation band, NL) |
Empress Black Omolo alongside King Shiloh mashing up the place with word, sound and power. (starting after 13m 17s)
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When you arrived in the Netherlands where and when did you pick up your musical carreer?
I started doing music from the moment i came to holland. I was looking for ways to express my self. I started playing flute from 6 years old and i was singing in the church choir, doing youths musicals. I had singing classes and guitar lessons as a teenager. 2004 i did my first big performance at the African Festival in Delft, at the age of 15 i had a group called 'Rita Omolo & makossa beautys' this is how i started performing live, singing african music, rap, and growing true i journey in music. From the moment i moved to amsterdam (at the age of 16) i started singing backing vocals for Kenny *Black Marchall* Marq & 4 Ward band, this is where ini discovered the strenght and energy in me that had to sing as a leading artist and grow in I journey. As my journey followed i was also working with Gideon Grounds for over 6 years ft different artists.
Which artists do you consider an inspiration to get the best out of yourself and why?
There are different artist that inspire me these days in i musical journey. I get inspired from all conscious artist spreading conscious and positive music. The last years i get enough inspiration true VI reggae artists.
Do you consider female vocalists like Queen Ifrica and Etana as an inspiration for other Female vocalist to uplift their own careers? Yes I , i see all strong Powerfull and concious Female artist as a bigg inspiration to all female artist to uplift dem selves.
What ’s your vision on women in Reggae music and/or rastafari these days?
My vision is to see more empresses and lionesses rise out deya with their talent and music. We need balance in the world so in the music scene is also important to have the balance, the experiences comes from both sides, and the story got to be heard from both sides as well.
What do you think that can improve for Empresses in the Reggae and/or Rastafari scene?
The improvement we need is to hear more voices of the empresses out deya. Its not easy for a Female artist in the industry, even though it looks like it should be easier, its not. Balance is very Important!
I started doing music from the moment i came to holland. I was looking for ways to express my self. I started playing flute from 6 years old and i was singing in the church choir, doing youths musicals. I had singing classes and guitar lessons as a teenager. 2004 i did my first big performance at the African Festival in Delft, at the age of 15 i had a group called 'Rita Omolo & makossa beautys' this is how i started performing live, singing african music, rap, and growing true i journey in music. From the moment i moved to amsterdam (at the age of 16) i started singing backing vocals for Kenny *Black Marchall* Marq & 4 Ward band, this is where ini discovered the strenght and energy in me that had to sing as a leading artist and grow in I journey. As my journey followed i was also working with Gideon Grounds for over 6 years ft different artists.
Which artists do you consider an inspiration to get the best out of yourself and why?
There are different artist that inspire me these days in i musical journey. I get inspired from all conscious artist spreading conscious and positive music. The last years i get enough inspiration true VI reggae artists.
Do you consider female vocalists like Queen Ifrica and Etana as an inspiration for other Female vocalist to uplift their own careers? Yes I , i see all strong Powerfull and concious Female artist as a bigg inspiration to all female artist to uplift dem selves.
What ’s your vision on women in Reggae music and/or rastafari these days?
My vision is to see more empresses and lionesses rise out deya with their talent and music. We need balance in the world so in the music scene is also important to have the balance, the experiences comes from both sides, and the story got to be heard from both sides as well.
What do you think that can improve for Empresses in the Reggae and/or Rastafari scene?
The improvement we need is to hear more voices of the empresses out deya. Its not easy for a Female artist in the industry, even though it looks like it should be easier, its not. Balance is very Important!
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How do you see the future for women in Reggae music.
The future always bright by the strenght of jah seen, And For i sisters in the Reggae Music i see nuff Positive ways and gates have been opend are still opening and some still need to be opend so, All i Can Say Is keep Up The Positive Works , Militant , Concious and Strong, Jahworks haffi Manifest We saw you perform alongside the mighty King Shiloh Sound System it was a BIG session. The Sound System scene is getting larger and more important for reggae in these days. What do you think about this movement? Well i love the sound system movement, is a longtime vibe thats still kicking strong and positive from different sounds. More and more vocalists choose to spread their message on Sound System. Do you consider this a positive thing or a negative? And why? Very Positive to see more and more artists spreading their message true the sound system. Its good to reach out to different people and generation. To me the message is one of the most important parts of the music. We heard through the grapevine that you are working on a collaboration with Warrior King? Can you tell us a bit more about this upcoming project? Yes i! It was a honour, a blessing to have worked with Warrior King. He has always been one of i inspiration from I long musical journey. We recorded a nice tune coming out this year , special dedicated to all woman , mothers of creations * The project is still Rolling as we bussy making plans for the video Shoot. |
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Also we heard about a new ful album coming up including songs from your EP Love your Life (2013) and new tunes. Can you tell us something about this upcoming album?
My album will be ready to be released end of the year. Where can people come and skank around with you in the coming months? This summer ill be havin a lil tour arround europe * Love your Life tour * Il be passing true Denmark (Aarhus Reggae Festival ) Austria ( Live in Concert) ,Czech Republik, Slovenia,and Italy. Promoting my Love your Life Ep & My new mixtape soon to be released. |
Reggae Agenda Interviews - 2015
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