A Singer, Songwriter and Performer, Ify Otuya studied Music Performance and Production at the prestigious London Centre of Contemporary Music, where she received tuition from some international names including Toby Baker (Sinead O’connor, B.B King), Sid Gauld (Incognito), Pete Zeldman (Jaco Pastorius), Richie Stevens (Jay-Z), and played with the legendary Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Weseley (James Brown).
Based in Lagos and Abuja, she’s written, recorded and toured the UK with musicians that include Folk-Soul sensation Whateverland, and Contemporary vocal group Souls of Prophecy Gospel Choir (Prince’s Trust Fund). She’s also been visible at different times, in circles within the Nigerian music industry (Felabration, Star Trek).
In 2010, she released her debut EP – “The Eclectic Definition of Miss O” [E.D.M.O], for which she combined African poly-rhythms with the melodic and emotive inflections of R&B. She followed it up with the 2014 release of Afro-Pop dance number ‘Body Work’. A video for the single was shot in December 2014 and then released in 2015. Between the release of E.D.M.O in 2010 and Body Work in 2014, Ify Otuya observed a hiatus from the music industry, which she has since explained as taking time off from the industry to identify and evaluate her own long-term expectations for herself and her career.
What sets this talented afro-bohemian girl apart is her ability to effortlessly combine the earthiness of her roots with the essences of contemporary culture. A combined motivational force of experience, relevance, and diversity comes through in her music.