Florence Otedola, also known around the world as DJ Cuppy, speaks to Pride ahead of her set at Strawberries and Creem festival this month
With over two million online followers, DJ Cuppy is one of the most influential young Nigerians of the moment. You may remember her from 2016’s documentary Lagos to London: Britain’s New Super Rich, where she and her sister Temi let viewers into the lavish lifestyle of children of millionaires. But don’t underestimate her – though she’s a girl who has everything, she’s passionate about what she does, and representing her beloved country for the good. In this chat, DJ Cuppy shares how she rises above the hate, her love for Afrobeats and her dreams of DJ-ing for the Queen…
Where did the name DJ Cuppy come from?
Growing up I was a really cheerful child. I grew up in the most amazing city – Lagos, Nigeria, full of colour and culture. I was also obsessed with cupcakes, so everyone used to call me ‘Cupcake’ because I had a sweet personality and a sweet tooth. So when I was 16, and wanted to get into DJ-ing and had to figure my stage name – everyone was calling me ‘Cupcake’ anyway, so I became DJ Cuppy.
As well as being a DJ, you’re also a musical artist in your own right. What inspired that transition?
I felt like I really needed to express myself on another level; as well as playing music, I wanted to make music. I felt like my artistry was limited to just being behind the decks and you know that feeling of, ‘I have so much more to give the world’, I definitely felt that. Lucky me, I was able to get in the studio with Tekno; I launched my debut single ‘Green Light’, and the rest is history.
Do you have any songs that must be included during your set, no matter what?
Anything Afrobeats – wherever I am in the world, whether it’s to a crowd in Sweden or Dubai, I have to represent. I view myself as an advocate for Africa. So you know you’ll never catch a Cuppy set without any Afrobeats. But I do love UK music. Growing up in Nigeria and then moving to London when I was 13 was a big change for me, but I fell in love with the music. I play Hip-Hop as well. I was lucky enough to live in New York for two years where I worked at Roc Nation and learnt a lot about the hip hop culture, which I really got to appreciate.
Do you have a dream show to play at?
Not to sound cliché, but Strawberries & Creem is somewhere I’ve always wanted to play! I’ve attended it so many times and I’ve seen how the festival has grown. I have the biggest surprise ever; really wish I could tell you guys, but I’m bringing out two acts. The minute I was on the line-up, I knew this was it – I know people are going to go wild. I’m not even joking, my set is going to be epic. Other than that, I would love to DJ for the Queen. I’ve been lucky enough to DJ for two presidential inaugurations, so I feel like I could probably handle the Queen. I’ve DJ-ed for Hillary Clinton before, at the UN. I also have an amazing party called Cactus On the Roof, and I would love to turn that into a festival in Nigeria one day. I created that party because I couldn’t find many opportunities in London when everyone thought Afrobeats was a bit lame. Obviously, it’s the hottest thing now, but it wasn’t always this way. So I believe in chasing some of these opportunities while creating my own.
You made an appearance on a 2016 TV documentary called Lagos to London: Britain’s New Super Rich, showing the lives of wealthy, young Nigerians in London. Some people might assume that your success comes from having a rich family – do you feel that this is the case?
I come from an entrepreneurial family, and I’m very lucky to have parents that have worked very hard. I remember saying I wanted to DJ and my dad said, ‘As long as you’re the best.’ My family is high profile: it always gets highlighted and people get so caught up in my background that they question my talent, authenticity and skill. I’m so set on my path, and I’m unapologetic. To whom much is given, much is expected. I am where I am because I’ve been helped but it’s also my responsibility to help, hence why I work with Save The Children and my Cuppy foundation.
Your resilience is inspiring. How do you rise above the hate comments you receive on social media?
I feel like my resilience comes from my pure passion. If I had a show tonight and no-one came, I literally wouldn’t care, just because I love what I do so much. I can’t imagine myself doing anything else. As of right now, I will keep doing it regardless of what people say. Obviously, it’s really nice when you do what you love and someone else like it too, but you can’t please everyone.
What can we look to forward to for DJ Cuppy?
We can definitely look forward to more music; I have a couple of EP collaborations. We can look forward to Cuppy growing as a brand, working with brands like Maybelline, Samsung, and Pepsi – and we can also look forward to Cuppy growing Cactus On The Roof, my event. I have one in Dubai, and one in LA during Coachella – as well as in London, Accra and Lagos. Then, in terms of philanthropy, I would love to connect with more women. Alongside, Save the Children, we’re launching something called The Women’s Artwork. We will be working on bringing more women together. We’ll probably make a few mistakes along the way, but that’s life.
DJ Cuppy will be at Strawberries & Creem Festival, Cambridge, on Saturday 15th June 2019. For tickets and more, head to strawberriesandcreem.com
