Otep Shamaya

Otep Shamaya
Otep on the streets of Los Angeles
Background information
Born November 7, 1979 [1]
Genres Alternative metal, nu metal, rap metal
Occupation(s) Singer-songwriter, actress, poet, writer, painter, rapper
Instruments Vocals
Labels Capitol (2001–2007)
KOCH (2007-2009)
Victory (2009-Present)
Associated acts Otep, Imaginary Friend
Website Otep's blog

Otep Shamaya is an American singer-songwriter, actress, poet, writer, and painter. She is best known as the lead vocalist of the metal band Otep.

Early Life

Taken from an exclusive interview with Metal Underground, Otep said her name derived from her mother's interest in Egyptian history. Otep grew up in Los Angeles. Metal Underground interviewer, Becca asked Otep: "Growing up in LA, what was that like for you?" To which Otep replied: "I was subjected to a lot of violence and poverty that I don't really care to focus on too much because I'm trying to get past that through art and music. Just becoming what it is that environment tends to create. It breeds violence and monsters and I would prefer not to fall into that trap and hopefully continue to grow as an artist and set a new standard for people who refuse to accept circumstances they are forced into. None of us can control who our parents are, what our genetics are, what part of the country we are raised in or what our dna is. How tall we are, color, sex, gender, orientation; it's something we are born into but we can create our own lives and our own identities according to our own standards and that's what I hope to do promote through my own self evolution and proceeds of self." [2]

Career

Otep Shamaya made her debut in 2000 with her band Otep, and released the full length albums Sevas Tra (June 2002), House of Secrets (July 2004), The Ascension (October 2007), Smash the Control Machine (August 2009), Atavist (April 2011) and Hydra (January 2013).

Otep is featured in The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies as a voice over actor for Creatures.[3] Shamaya has been featured on HBO's television series Def Poetry. In April 2015, Otep released her first edition of short stories titled "Movies in My Head" [4] The first printed collection of poetry and illustrations by Otep Shamaya was made available to the public in November 2006 exclusively on Lulu.com. In August 2007, the e-book Little Sins, her first electronic collection of printed poems and illustrations was placed in book form.

Personal life

Otep is openly lesbian[5] and a vegetarian.[6] She is known to be an advocate of animal rights. Shamaya also spoke at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.[7]

Discography

Studio albums

Year Album details Peak chart positions
US[8] US Ind.[8] FRA[9] UK[10]
2002 Sevas Tra
  • Released: June 18, 2002
  • Label: Capitol/EMI (C2-33346)
  • Format: CD, DI
 145 — — 86
2004 House of Secrets
  • Released: July 27, 2004
  • Label: Capitol/EMI (C2-91043)
  • Format: CD, DI
 93 — 102 —
2007 The Ascension
  • Released: October 30, 2007
  • Label: Capitol/EMI (C2-11653)
  • Format: CD, LP, DI
 81 6 — —
2009 Smash the Control Machine
  • Released: August 18, 2009
  • Label: Victory (529)
  • Format: CD, DI
 47 6 — —
2011 Atavist
  • Released: April 26, 2011
  • Label: Victory
  • Format: CD, DI
 61 10 — —
2013 Hydra
  • Released: January 22, 2013
  • Label: Victory
  • Format: CD, DI
 133 — — —
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

Extended plays

Year Album details
2001 Jihad
  • Released: June 19, 2001
  • Label: Capitol/EMI (C2-33725)
  • Format: CD
2005 Wurd Becomes Flesh
  • Released: 2005
  • Format: CD

Singles

Year Title US
Main.		 Album
2002 "Blood Pigs" — Sevas Tra
"Possession" —
2004 "Warhead" — House of Secrets
2007 "Ghostflowers" — The Ascension
"March of the Martyrs" —
"Breed" —
2008 "Confrontation" —
2009 "Smash the Control Machine" 28 Smash the Control Machine
2010 "Rise, Rebel, Resist" —
2011 "Fists Fall" — Atavist
"Not to Touch the Earth" —
"—" denotes a release that did not chart.

DVDs

Music videos

Year Title
2001 "T.R.I.C."
2002 "Blood Pigs"
2004 "Warhead"
"Buried Alive"
2007 "Ghostflowers"
"Breed"
2008 "Confrontation"
"Crooked Spoons"
2009 "Smash the Control Machine"
2010 "Rise, Rebel, Resist"
"Run for Cover"
2011 "Fists Fall"
"Baby's Breath"
2013 "Apex Predator"

References

  1. ↑ https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Category:1979_births&pagefrom=Semeghin%2C+Dorin%0ADorin+Semeghin&subcatfrom=S&filefrom=S#mw-pages
  2. ↑ http://www.metalunderground.com/interviews/details.cfm?newsid=30906
  3. ↑ "The-Hobbit-The-Battle-of-the-Five-Armies - Cast, Crew, Director and Awards". NYTimes.com. 2014-12-17. Retrieved 2015-03-30.
  4. ↑ www.lulu.com/spotlight/otepsaves
  5. ↑ Scott Marti, Kris (January 31, 2005). "Interview with Otep Shamaya". AfterEllen.com.
  6. ↑ Shamaya, Otep (April 17, 2008). "Might Makes Write: Otep Reveals the Passions of the Poet". MTV.
  7. ↑ "Otep smashes the control machine". Nl.newsbank.com. Retrieved 2015-03-30.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "Otep - Charts & Awards - Billboard Albums". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
  9. ↑ "Discographie Otep" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
  10. ↑ Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK: The O - Ozric Tentacles". Zobbel. Retrieved 2009-07-07.

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Otep Shamaya.