Grandpa Oléka: "I am a stage woman"

Songwriter, Beninese performer and singer, Pépé Oléka is known for her talent and her magnificent voice. Far from the land of his ancestors, she does not fail to come and have a good time in the country, especially when she has a musical project. In this interview with our editorial staff, she talks about the reasons for her presence in Benin and also about her projects.

What are the reasons for your presence in Benin, given that for a long time, you live in the West?

I am recording for a project that is in progress. More, i am doing a “Media tower” through some radio stations in the country. This is a cover project of some standard songs from Beninese music. It must also be said that beyond professional reasons, when i come to the country, it is to recharge my batteries.

Why this choice of covers of standard songs?

The idea for covers came to me when I was touring Europe. For about three years, the people who contacted me were much more from the diaspora. I was asked to play at parties and other ceremonies. There was also the Embassy of Benin in Switzerland who contacted me to represent Beninese music. At the moment, I didn't go there to do covers but just after our performances, my group of musicians and I are happy to "Djamer" as we say in our community. And so, we used Beninese music standards. In the batch of these old songs some came naturally to my repertoire. So I saw fit to bring them back to life in my own way because all of them have a particularity: they speak to Beninese from North to South.

By taking up these songs, the public admires you more?

Yes. I saw that the Beninese diaspora was with me and I with them. Of the, I decided one day to make a special cover album. I hope to be up to the different songs which are also very well known by the Beninese. I think I can get there the Pépé Oléka way.

When will this album be released??

By next year (2021), I think everything will be ready.

Is a national tour planned in your agenda?

Inevitably. I am a stage woman, when I'm not on stages, I am totally unhappy. At the moment, it's complicated because we can't go on stage because of the health crisis. But as soon as everything is back to normal, I will be here with the public from my home.

Why are you often erased? Far from social networks, away from the media, why this "isolation"?  

In my nature, I don't like to be displayed without good reasons. I'm old school and we haven't been taught to sell who we are. I believe that being a singer, I need to be effective in all relationships, both with family and friends.

What do you think of Beninese music today?

Things are changing. I have heard for a long time that Beninese music does not "break through". It just takes time but it will also eventually reach the expected level. The audience waiting for us to be at the level of countries like Nigeria, the Ghana, Togo or Ivory Coast must also play its part. In these countries that we see big today, This is what has been done. The best support for an artist, it is to buy his works and if we start by doing it, Benin will do better.

What are your relations with other Beninese artists?

 Personally, I get along very well with everyone. I'm the kind of person who, when things don't go i say it. In my life, this is how i work. Most girls know me very well. There are those who write to me to encourage me or to have my advice and I am very happy to be among them.

Production: Firmin KASSAGA