Q&A With Singer And 2019 My Star Winner Oura
She is a My Star champion in the 2019 competitions and currently an established musician yet to make her big mark in the industry. We managed to have a chat with her for this edition and she has had nothing but praises and sweet talk about the country’s biggest local music television show and graces it for her established music career. The charismatic singer went on to assure us she has yet so much to over Batswana as a musician.
Tell me about yourself?
I go by the name OURA, which directly translated to hour in English. My real name is Olorato Peloyame. I was born in the Village of Molepolole but I grew up in the small Village of Metsimotlhabe. Growing up I have always loved music and always joined school choirs and church choirs.
What genre of music do you make?
I make afro soul, Afro dance and afro house music.
When was your talent as a singer discovered?
From a very young age I loved singing a lot. When I was younger I would sing on a Broom stick for my family, performing for them… lol, I would write my own music and sing from as early as 5 or 6years, I’ve always loved singing.
You are a My Star winner, tell us more about your journey to and during the show?
After finishing my tertiary education I decided to do the one thing I have always wanted to do, join the My Star competition. I had been holding it out for all these years because of school. I didn’t want me being in the competition to interrupt with my studying. So when I finally joined I was really excited and aiming for the top price. The journey in the competition had a lot of challenges but also helped me grow as a budding musician. The show had coaches during our season, I was able to be coached by Motswafere at the time and he taught me a lot about stage presence, stage etiquette, voice control etc. It was an interesting journey for me which I will always remember, le bana bame ka go ba bolella ka nako ena…haha. Apart from the competition it’s self I also managed to make good friends with some of the competitors.
What inspired you to becoming a contestant in this music show?
Simple, my love for music. I just wanted a platform to learn more about my music and improve overall as a creative.
Having had the opportunity to compete in this local prestigious show what can you say about your experience with it?
The experience was challenging and exciting at the same time. I grew a lot as a musician and as a person while on the show, it’s an experience I will always treasure.
Does it help in boosting one’s career as a musician?
Absolutely! It helps in exposing ones talent and also since it is a competition it helps moulding you into a better individual through the comments of the judges, and if you were like me and you never sang on a stage before it helps you get used to performing in front of a lot of people.
Is it the one that helped set your career in music and if so, how?
It helped a lot in exposing my talent to Batswana who watched the show at that time.
Who are the other artists that have had a blossoming career after they won those competitions that you maybe look up to?
MOTLHA- always! I’ve always loved his craft. I actually have a project in the works with him a single which is going to be released soon.
So how many songs have you released since then?
So far I have released two studio singles.
How about bookings to shows, do you usually get major bookings?
I do have some bookings, but because of the pandemic really they are not as frequent.
Which of your songs at the moment stands as a hit that people love?
Good Feels – my first studio single, I call it my first baby.
Are you working on any songs or projects at the moment?
I am currently working on my first studio album which is exciting. We have really great songs that we trust Batswana will enjoy.
Among your work, what is it that you can say you are proud of?
Being able to stay true to myself and not having to imitate any existing artist. There is a lot of pressure of trying to sound like what people are used to but I am a string believer in being true to myself.
Does it help that you are My Star winner reputation wise, musically?
Hahaha yes, it does!
Apart from your music career, what is it that Olorato does?
I am into entrepreneurship, but that’s a story for another day.
Any additions you have?
Batswana can look forward to really great music unlike anything they have heard before. I trust Batswana to welcome Oura with open arms. I do this for them. Modimo ke yoo!
Duncan Sebeso