The sultry insistence of invigorating soul and heartfelt musical aptitude easily describe the creative and distinguished prowess of Ms. Ohsha Kai. Her commanding stage presence and captivating yet distinct vocal aura reflects an innate drive and determination notwithstanding among contemporary singer/songwriters. The subtle yet pervasive elements of R& B/classic soul cleverly woven into her musical fabric, Ohsha recalls hearing the sounds of gospel - Andre Crouch, Vicky Winans, and Shirley Ceasar, to name a few, carefully blending with the contemporary sounds of Lisa Stansfield, Jane Child, and U2 during her childhood in West Philadelphia.
“I remember singing "River Deep Mountain High" since I was a little girl,” Ohsha recalls. “The soulful riffs of old school mixed with the excitement of new school with a little rock added in is what really excites me about music,” she adds, indicating her distinct passion for energetic, passionate and high caliber contemporary artists such as Anastacia, U2, Pink, Kelly Clarkson and Angie Stone.
Ohsha was always a well-rounded back-up singer and professionally performed in the Tri-State area for many local R & B and hip-hop artists. However, following an initial exposure to dance music in high school “I heard the classic house cut "Witch Doctor" and really liked it!”, she was exposed to the power sounds of Chicago-style house music and, quite frankly, she was hooked. “The first time I heard house music, I fell madly in love with the power and energy it tastefully displayed, “says Ohsha. During an open audition in Philadelphia sponsored by ACT 2 Records, CEO and President Ron Hirsch immediately offered her a record deal.
"Free Your Mind" - an upbeat soulful dance stomper which avidly displayed Ohsha’s powerful melodic range was her first release in 2006 by ACT 2. Written by famed producer and songwriter Josh Harris, “Free Your Mind” garnered many musical accolades and skyrocketed to 1 on Billboard’s Breakout charts in July 2006. Several weeks later, Ohsha rose to 6 on Billboard’s Hot Dance Club Play Chart (the top 5 spots were occupied by major label artists) and she spent a total of 15 weeks on the Billboard Hot Dance Club Play Chart. “Free Your Mind” also was on iTunes’ Top Ten list for dance recording downloads, Top 3 on Sirius Satellite Radio, Top 10 on the World Dance Charts, and was recognized by the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences and placed on the Official Grammy Ballot for “Best New Song” in the 2007. Following a stunning performance at the 2006 Winter Music Conference in Miami, renown dance promoter Harry Towers proclaimed that 2006 was ".the year of Ohsha Kai!”
Ohsha's follow up single “Out of My Mind”, written and produced by then-newcomer Joey C. of Juice Up Records, was released in May 2007. “Out of My Mind” also hit Billboard’s Top 10 and stayed on iTunes’ Top 50 dance charts for several weeks.
At the end of 2007, Ohsha took a two year sabatical to reflect on her budding career and plan for the twists and turns that were to come in both her music and image.
According to Ohsha, 2009 was, indeed, a metamorphic year. “I went from being a night club ‘diva’ to ‘pop lab newbie’ almost overnight," she sighs. “This transformation was very taxing, to say the least. Actually, since the 2008, things have been fairly quiet in Ohsha Kai-land.”
The New Year is already filling with promise and hope. Ohsha’s new single “I Can't Wait,” a high energy dance remake of Nu Shooz classic is scheduled for release in February 2010 on CAPP Records highly successful compilation series, Best of 80's Dance Vol. 3.
“I love old school 80’s euro-style, “she says. “With the release of the entire compilation on iTunes, 80’s music will reach into a new musical pool of fans.”
What’s most important is her new musical association with fellow DEET Promotions artist and resident Tampa madman Quincy B. Scovill and his eclectic psychedelic musical dance outfit Beatnik Castle.
.“First, I would like to give my warmest and most sincere thanks to the Deet Family for showing me such tremendous love, support, and dedication these past few years,” she graciously acknowledges. “Had it not been for Harry (Towers) and (Promoter) Barbara Sobel, I would have avoided meeting Beatnik Castle and Quincy” she adds, politely insisting that Mr. Quincy B. Scovill is “perhaps the strangest, most prolific Deeter I’ve met so far!” The eclectic but inventive, musically diverse and innovative songwriter/producer/performer/Mad Monk, Ltd owner with the trademark Rob Zombie-like appearance is, according to Ohsha, a “pretty deceptive but ultra-cool character!” Beatnik Castle’s “Will U B Mine?” features singer/songwriter Francillia and the single and video are currently being played worldwide. “
Though Ohsha’s first single will be as a featured performer on Beatnik Castle’s sophomore release (tentatively scheduled for Spring 2009), she and Mr. Quincy are diligently working on a much-anticipated full length album to be released Fall 2010 on Mad Monk LTD.
“QB and I are currently cooking in our musical kitchen,” she playfully warns. “And, quite frankly, as they say down south, “y'all in for a pleasant surprise!” This eccentric but seemingly effective musical collaboration scheduled for her first full-length release, tentatively titled "What's The Damage" promises to be both unique and refreshing. “Imagine a combination of, say, Swing Out Sister, U2, Fifth Dimension, The Commodores, Warrant, Lady Gaga, The Stylistics, Pat Benatar, Beyonce, Earth, Wind, & Fire, Nightwish, and Kelly Clarkson combined with Alice in Chains, Jim Croce, John Denver, and Metallica. It’s such an incredible musical potpourri and I’m very tickled pink to get started! That's all I can say right now,” she playfully winks.
"Free Your Mind", "Outta My Mind" and "I Can't Wait" now available on
