I have received interesting responses on the DJ Cuppy story I recently wrote. I thought I was pretty cut to the chase on my position, but perhaps not. So, I’ll try again.
1. The issue here is not whether this young woman can DJ or not, neither is it whether she, as an individual, is a bad or good person. I don’t know her from Adam and presume many reading this do not either. The issue is, who is ‘Cuppy’ (her stage name) the talent, what does she do and what does her body of work sound like?
2. DJ Cuppy like other artists/talent is in the limelight and as a TALENT she is or should be held to the same industry standards, scrutiny et al.
3. Accordingly, the simple question, as the recipient of her marketing/promotional materials, I had and still have is, is she communicating that she is a DJ?
So far, the answer, to me, is a big “NO.” What she has communicated, to me, is that she is: 1) the daughter of a billionaire; 2) she loves fashion (AWESOME); 3) she loves cup cakes (‘”cuppy”), and to serve them at her parties; and 4) she loves to dress up and hang with the rich and famous people and celebrities.
For me as an influencer, curator, critic and disseminator of music, who her via her team have solicited to use my influence and skills for words to amplify her brand; and help gain her notoriety, industry respect, approval etc., all I want to know is, where is the music you called me in here for and what is the exact DJ skills/services you bring to the table? Tell/show me. I am not your celeb or socialite amigo/friend. I don’t know you. Who are you?
Also, is your DJ skills/services limited to only the wealthy or does it expand to include the middle class and the poor music lovers you also invited; because right now, accessibility to your work is very, very limited and only for the rich and famous, it seems.
4. What’s her answer to my questions so far?
a) For a UK Launch of her alleged mixtape, she gave us this video highlighting her work.
Seriously? No, really? Paris Hilton styled puppies everywhere, air kisses, the rich and famous last supper styled dinner, 19th-20th century fashion? Tiaras? Cupcakes? What is this? MTV’s Super Sweet sixteen?
b) For a New York launch, she gave us, again, the video below and pics to boot. Again, are you kidding me?
c) The Lagos Launch is manageable but is packed with all industry celebs and socialites. Who do you DJ for? You remix the celebs songs, hopefully under a license, but are they your target audience or don’t you have your own fan base?
You are a DJ, not a fashionista party go lucky socialite posing to take pictures on turntables (although I see no issue with that. I love fashion and fashion is my life). Showcase and focus on the music, get into the work. The reference to 19th-20th century fashion et al., and last supper stuff should not overwhelm your music or whatever it is you are doing with music, especially as an emerging DJ trying to introduce yourself to us, the public, the media, the world, not your celeb friends or artists or fellow socialites.
You say you want to be taken seriously and this is your passion. Great, get with the program.
If you do not know what that means, contact DJs like DJ Soupamodel (Nigeria’s first female DJ holding it down here in the USA), contact DJ Jimmy Jatt (in Nigeria), a veteran who loves to help the young and upcoming talents and get some tips on how to get with the program.
Who are you as a talent AND business woman in the music industry?
If it is tough to figure this out, hire the right professionals in the industry to help define your style, sound, artistic vision and look.
I know the brand name says ‘House of Cuppy’ and it may compel Cuppy the talent who seems to love fashion to create the feel of a fashion house filled with Givenchy couture gowns and accessories; or a catering brand filled with luxurious expensive baked cup cake goods. But, in the final analysis, this is about the music and the business of music, not a VIP fashion show where the exclusive few are invited. Let’s be about that business.
My 50 kobo for all it is worth.
Cheers,
Uduak
What MTV Super Sweet Sixteen referenced in my post Looks Like, for those who have never seen an episode.
Get More:
My Super Sweet 16, Full Episodes
