Billionaire daughter and popular Nigerian DJ, Cuppy,
Ifeoluwa Otedola who recently got rants from Nigerians recently here, after she
declared that money isn’t everything has said that she has practically visited
every continent of the world.
Ifeoluwa Otedola who recently got rants from Nigerians recently here, after she
declared that money isn’t everything has said that she has practically visited
every continent of the world.
In a recent interview with Sunday Punch, she talks about
her job as a DJ, travelling round the world and more. Read excerpts
her job as a DJ, travelling round the world and more. Read excerpts
How often does
your job make you travel?
your job make you travel?
I think one of the best parts of my job is travelling.
Being a DJ, I travel at least once a month; I’m always travelling between
Lagos, London and New York. My friends say I live on airplanes.
Being a DJ, I travel at least once a month; I’m always travelling between
Lagos, London and New York. My friends say I live on airplanes.
What are some of
the countries you have performed in?
the countries you have performed in?
I’ve been lucky enough to have visited almost every
continent. I’ve performed in cities such as Miami, Kingston, Paris, Dubai,
Athens and Mexico City. One of the highlights of my profession would definitely
be last year when I toured eight countries in Africa. During the tour, I
performed in countries like Tanzania, Rwanda and Senegal among others.
continent. I’ve performed in cities such as Miami, Kingston, Paris, Dubai,
Athens and Mexico City. One of the highlights of my profession would definitely
be last year when I toured eight countries in Africa. During the tour, I
performed in countries like Tanzania, Rwanda and Senegal among others.
Which famous disc
jockeys did you meet?
jockeys did you meet?
There are so many inspiring African DJs and Nigeria is
doing a great job of being in the forefront. When I’m back home, I like to
watch and learn by picking elements from everyone. Having said that, I’ve been
able to go to international festivals such as Coachella and SXSW to watch the
biggest DJs in the world including Aviici and David Guetta. I get inspired by
everyone.
doing a great job of being in the forefront. When I’m back home, I like to
watch and learn by picking elements from everyone. Having said that, I’ve been
able to go to international festivals such as Coachella and SXSW to watch the
biggest DJs in the world including Aviici and David Guetta. I get inspired by
everyone.
Where is the most
interesting place you have visited recently?
interesting place you have visited recently?
A few weeks ago was my first time in Texas. I performed
at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas and I couldn’t believe how warm and kind
the people were. Their hospitality took me by surprise. In America, they call
it ‘Southern Hospitality’.
at the SXSW festival in Austin, Texas and I couldn’t believe how warm and kind
the people were. Their hospitality took me by surprise. In America, they call
it ‘Southern Hospitality’.
Why do you
consider that trip to be special?
consider that trip to be special?
I got to experience a completely different part of the
United States of America. Also, the locals were so excited to discover African
music. I’ve lived in New York for two years now and the city can feel a little
cold and unfriendly at times.
United States of America. Also, the locals were so excited to discover African
music. I’ve lived in New York for two years now and the city can feel a little
cold and unfriendly at times.
How long did you
visit for?
visit for?
I was in and out in three days. I was only there for a
weekend as I was performing. I flew in from New York and had to fly to London
as I was speaking in a panel on Monday. That was my first time visiting and I
encourage everyone to visit Texas. I know there is a big Nigerian community in
Houston.
weekend as I was performing. I flew in from New York and had to fly to London
as I was speaking in a panel on Monday. That was my first time visiting and I
encourage everyone to visit Texas. I know there is a big Nigerian community in
Houston.
What would a
first-timer find particularly impressive on arrival at Texas?
first-timer find particularly impressive on arrival at Texas?
To start with, the weather is always warm. This is
different from New York. They have amazing food and the people are hospitable.
Another thing I loved was the strong southern accent. I felt super comfortable
instantly.
different from New York. They have amazing food and the people are hospitable.
Another thing I loved was the strong southern accent. I felt super comfortable
instantly.
What new
discoveries did you chance on?
discoveries did you chance on?
I found that the music culture in Austin, Texas is great.
There is live music everywhere you go ‑ in grocery stores, train stations and
so on. It is apparently the live music capital of the world.
There is live music everywhere you go ‑ in grocery stores, train stations and
so on. It is apparently the live music capital of the world.
Did you
experience any culture shock?
experience any culture shock?
I didn’t particularly encounter any culture shock but the
hospitality stood out. The people were very chatty and interested, even
strangers! Sometimes back home in Lagos, we get on with our day and even find
friendly behaviour from strangers a huge distraction.
hospitality stood out. The people were very chatty and interested, even
strangers! Sometimes back home in Lagos, we get on with our day and even find
friendly behaviour from strangers a huge distraction.
Did you have any
awkward experiences?
awkward experiences?
Not quite awkward! I went for a jog one morning and
completely got lost and the battery of my phone ran out. The locals helped to
direct me to my hotel.
completely got lost and the battery of my phone ran out. The locals helped to
direct me to my hotel.
What is Texas
renowned for?
renowned for?
Texas is known for barbeque, heat, and hospitality.
What places of
interest did you visit?
interest did you visit?
I had to get my own first-hand experience of Gus’s famous
chicken in Austin. By the time we were done, I could hardly get out of my seat!
It’s a famous long-running restaurant serving spicy fried chicken and comfort
sides in a low-key setting. I just needed some nice jollof rice to go with it.
The food in Texas is well-spiced and seasoned. I always miss that delicious
spice in Nigerian food and the food in Texas is the closest I’ve ever gotten to
it.
chicken in Austin. By the time we were done, I could hardly get out of my seat!
It’s a famous long-running restaurant serving spicy fried chicken and comfort
sides in a low-key setting. I just needed some nice jollof rice to go with it.
The food in Texas is well-spiced and seasoned. I always miss that delicious
spice in Nigerian food and the food in Texas is the closest I’ve ever gotten to
it.
What would you
adjudge the most interesting activity you engaged in?
adjudge the most interesting activity you engaged in?
When I didn’t have to perform, walking around the
festival was great. I was able to soak in all the senses around me and put on a
cowboy hat of course. I love travelling because it’s always a new and different
experience.
festival was great. I was able to soak in all the senses around me and put on a
cowboy hat of course. I love travelling because it’s always a new and different
experience.
In what ways did
Texas remind you of your home country?
Texas remind you of your home country?
Austin has really bad traffic just like Lagos. It’s not
necessarily culture related but I noticed that.
necessarily culture related but I noticed that.
