Otep

Otep is not only the name of the band but the name of its female vocalist, Otep Shamaya. The band formed in 2000 and has 5 full length albums and 2 EPs.

Before they were even a signed band, they were invited to play at Ozzfest after Sharon Osbourne had caught a little bit of a live performance by them. Since then, Otep has played Ozzfest a couple of times.

In 2002, Otep released their first album called Sevas Tra on Capitol Records. Then her second full length House Of Secrets was released in 2004 also on Capitol Records. Three years later, The Ascension was released. Shortly after in 2009, Smash The Control Machine hit the shelves and got to the spot of number 47 on the charts. But most recently Atavist was released and is currently at the 61 spot.

Otep may seem a little scary at first with lyrics like in the song Remeber To Forget 'I hope you die like swine surrounded by starving dogs, I'm stained by your sin like the blood soaked boards of the cross' to stabs at the government in Smash The Control Machine 'Two pigs wearing suits brought the news that I'm wanted by the bank, They say the rent is due Caesar's onto you So you better remember your place' and a some softer lyrics like We Dream Like Lions 'We dream like lions below and above, the wooly little lambs that look a lot like us, we dream like lions'

Otep falls in the genre of Nu Metal and Alternative Metal. She also has a published book of poetry called Little Sins.

Otep, I think, has a very aggressive sound but it's good. There is screaming and then there's just her regular old singing voice. She is very good at what she does and she should continue making the music she does.


Remeber To Forget
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xZx0GKq0HOA

Nick Minaj

Nicki Minaj is a rapper and singer-songwriter from New York City. Minaj has 3 mixtapes and one studio album. She was discovered by rapper, Lil Wayne and signed her to Young Money Entertainment.

As a child Minaj’s parents fought a lot and therefore Minaj created alter egos to help deal with it. ‘Cookie’ was her first identity then went to Harajuku Barbie and now Nicki Minaj. With her debut album came another alter-ego, Roman Zolanski. Roman is said to be the equivalent of Eminem’s Slim Shady and in the song Roman’s Revenge, the 2 rappers brought them together.

Her first 'album' is Playtime Is Over and was released in 2007. Then a year later in 2008 she released another mixtape Sucka Free and a third in 2009 called Beat Me Up Scotty. But most recently in 2010 Minaj released her debut album Pink Friday.

Pink Friday was a success and shortly after the records release, it was certified as a platnum record. Minaj had 7 songs on the Billboard Hot 100 and was the first artist to do so. She also became the first female artist to top the chart since 2002, unaccompanied and the first female artist to be included on MTV’s Annual Hottest MC list.

The singer-songwriter has had 20 singles, 13 of which as a featured artist, 20 music videos and one promotional single. Being featured in songs of other artists, Minaj has earned 14 appearances on the Billboard Hot 100.

Her first single was Your Love and landed number 14 on Billboard Hot 100, topped the rap charts and 7 on the Hot R&B/ Hip-Hop Songs.
Starting this summer in June, Minaj will be a supporting artist for Britney Spears’ tour, Femme Fatale Tour, along with Jessie and The Toy Boys and Nervo.