Lady Odé: A talented, independent artist

By Laila Muhammad | Last updated: Jan 29, 2013 - 1:37:03 PM

Upon first hearing her voice, she sounds like a mixture of Nina Simone, Billie Holiday and Jill Scott. She has a sultry sound that captivates the audience and has listeners hanging on to her every note. Ozara—wealth or treasure; Odé—born while traveling is clearly a name that was ordained by her destiny. This treasure hails from Milwaukee, born and raised around a gospel singing family called the Brooks 9 on her paternal side, and gospel comedians on her maternal side, giving this Libra balance.

Odé has journeyed to Atlanta, and has performed in cities from Chicago to Los Angeles to Paris and London.

According to Odé, it was in Atlanta where doors really began to open for her. She even earned a featured spot on the television show “JJ on Atlanta,” and the annual “Passion and Poetry” showcase hosted by former V103 DJ Joyce Littel. After a stint in the bustling musical mecca of Atlanta, she decided to share her talent with the residents of Washington D.C, and eventually made her way to Paris, France, and the United Kingdom.

Upon returning from her UK promotional tour, where she graced stages from Manchester and Bristol to London’s legendary JazzCafe, Odé followed up by taking 1st place at the Sankofa Soul Contest in Paris.

Her scores soared after a very personal interpretation of “Is it a Crime” by Sade. Her poetry, her magic, and vocal freedom moved deep into the hearts of the Parisian audience as well as the members of the jury. “Lady Odé may not be known from receiving mass radio play, but her soul stirring music is still rising and the truth begins with her live stage performance,” stated Joby Smith, organizer and co-host of the Sankofa Soul Contest.

Her deep, full flavored sound is causing people to take notice. Years from now, after she’s graced us with her full potential; she will definitely be a point of reflection for many. She’s an artist’s artist; someone who does what she does because it’s ingrained in her. Someone with enough respect for the craft that she pays homage to those who have paved the way by taking time to learn what makes the masters, the masters.

If you didn’t know any better you’d swear she was once under the tutelage of Dr. Simone, and well, you’d guess that the grasshopper finally snatched the pebble from the master’s hand. In 2008, Odé was inspired to write a play based on the life of the incomparable Nina Simone. Milwaukee will be blessed by the return of her production of “Ozara as Nina: A Tribute to The High Priestess of Soul,” hosted at Dr. Martin Luther King Center February 15-17, 2013. Tickets can be purchased online at www.divatributetonina.eventbrite.com. “My desire is to take the play on a 14 city tour in the U.S., and then overseas. Dr. Simone was loved by so many all over the world—I would love to be a part of keeping her legacy alive in a light she would be pleased with,” she said.

Lady Odé had the fortunate opportunity to perform a reading of her play during the Nina Simone Estate’s Ten Day Tribute in Atlanta in 2010. Afterwards, Nina Simone’s sister Frances Fox stated, “(Ozara Odé) You have captured the essence of my sister,” and the legendary singer’s daughter Simone stated, “My mother’s spirit has rested in others before; right now her spirit is in you.” Simone also renamed Lady Odé, “Peaches” after hearing her rendition of “Four Women.”

While the estate has not officially endorsed the play these powerful words speak volumes. For more information on how to bring the play to your city, call 404-573-9888, or 414-916-2064.

According to Odé, exposure is her biggest challenge and the biggest challenge generally for the average indie artist. Independent artists don’t have the large label backing, and therefore most can’t afford the marketing required for mass exposure. Support of fans of music that moves and inspires is the answer to the question, “Where has all the real music gone?”

Ode’ cautions others with vivid dreams to refrain from holding their dreams hostage. Odé believes the future is bright, because she wants it to be. She wants to take her supporters on a journey through life, where anything you desire and whatever you visualize, can become reality. The Ozara Odé brand is dream big and make it happen.

If only we all dreamed in high definition, what a beautiful world we could create. For more on this talented songstress, playwright, poet, and songwriter, or to purchase her album entitled, “I Dream,” visit www.ozaraode.com. “Like” her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter.

Laila Muhammad is a Chicago-based writer and videographer.

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