Otep Shamaya is working on new music despite announcing her retirement from the music industry in 2024. However, the former Otep frontwoman is making it clear that her next material will take her in a different musical direction.
Shamaya revealed the news on social media today, August 09th, explaining that while the new music will move away from the nü-metal sound associated with Otep, she intends to maintain the same emphasis on messaging and atmosphere.
The singer also revealed that the material will draw from her more recent personal experiences, with themes including mental and emotional struggles, growing up queer, equality, survival and remaining authentic.
“hi. many are asking if I’m making new music. YES. I am. Not in the old genre. But same message, mood, atmosphere. I’m proud of all my albums & everything I contributed to that space. But it’s changed, I’ve changed and new creative terrain was necessary for my creative engine & my sanity. The new music explores my recent battles with mental & emotional health, growing up Queer, fighting for equity & equality & the ghouls who want to destroy us, being a fighter, a survivor & living authentically.
Some will hate it, they want the girl who goes grrrr, others will love it, but I have to stay true to my self. My words have always mattered most to me & that’s my focus now. Centering the message, the lyrics, the meaning? I have one demo near completion. I was thinking of releasing it but I dunno, needs some minor changes to the mix, etc. But my ppl are telling to wait. It’s hard bcz I’m just really excited. No clue where my passions will take me except I know it will be armored with joy Love & respect to all xx #otep xx”
Shamaya previously announced her retirement from music in November 2024, bringing an apparent end to the career of Otep after more than two decades.
While she has yet to reveal exactly what genre she is exploring with her new material, she has confirmed that at least one demo is nearing completion.
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