Otep Shamaya
| Otep Shamaya | |
|---|---|
 Otep on the streets of Los Angeles | |
| Background information | |
| Born | November 7, 1979 |
| Genres | Alternative metal, nu metal, extreme metal |
| Occupation(s) | Singer-songwriter, actress, poet, writer, painter, singer |
| Instruments | Vocals |
| Years active | 2000—present |
| Labels |
Capitol (2001–2007) KOCH (2007-2009) Victory (2009-2013) Napalm Records (2015-present) |
| Associated acts | Otep, Imaginary Friend |
| Website | Otep's blog |
Otep Shamaya is the lead vocalist of the nu 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." [1]
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), Hydra (January 2013), and Generation Doom (April 2016).
Otep is featured in The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies as a voice over actor for creatures.[2] 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". 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. In 2010, Otep was a GLAAD Nominee for Outstanding Music Artist, alongside Lady Gaga (who won) and Adam Lambert.[3]
Personal life
Otep is openly lesbian[4] and a vegetarian.[5] She is known to be an advocate of animal rights. Shamaya also spoke at the 2008 Democratic National Convention.[6]
Discography
Studio albums
| Year | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US[7] | US Ind.[7] | FRA[8] | UK[9] | ||
| 2002 | Sevas Tra | 145 | — | — | 86 |
| 2004 | House of Secrets
|
93 | — | 102 | — |
| 2007 | The Ascension
|
81 | 6 | — | — |
| 2009 | Smash the Control Machine
|
47 | 6 | — | — |
| 2011 | Atavist
|
61 | 10 | — | — |
| 2013 | Hydra
|
133 | — | — | — |
| 2016 | Generation Doom
|
- | — | — | — |
| "—" denotes a release that did not chart. | |||||
Extended plays
| Year | Album details |
|---|---|
| 2001 | Jihad
|
| 2005 | Wurd Becomes Flesh
|
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
- Otep - Abominations (2004)
- Otep - Live Confrontation (2009)
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
- ↑ http://www.metalunderground.com/interviews/details.cfm?newsid=30906
- ↑ "The-Hobbit-The-Battle-of-the-Five-Armies - Cast, Crew, Director and Awards". NYTimes.com. 2014-12-17. Retrieved 2015-03-30.
- ↑ http://www.glaad.org/mediaawards/21/nominees
- ↑ Scott Marti, Kris (January 31, 2005). "Interview with Otep Shamaya". AfterEllen.com.
- ↑ Shamaya, Otep (April 17, 2008). "Might Makes Write: Otep Reveals the Passions of the Poet". MTV.
- ↑ "Otep Powerful and Vicious".
- 1 2 "Otep - Charts & Awards - Billboard Albums". Allmusic. Rovi Corporation. Retrieved 2011-01-17.
- ↑ "Discographie Otep" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
- ↑ Zywietz, Tobias. "Chart Log UK: The O - Ozric Tentacles". Zobbel. Retrieved 2009-07-07.
External links
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Otep Shamaya. |
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