Currently living in Brazil, Otis highlights that one of the biggest challenges he has faced is maintaining cultural traditions while understanding contemporary times, creating a bridge between these two universes. He firmly believes in the importance of asserting himself as a Mozambican in the diaspora.
Mozambican musician Otis Selimane Remane began his musical career at the age of seven, and has also excelled as a producer and composer. He became a professional musician at the age of 14. In 2015, he left Mozambique for Brazil in search of new horizons and a deeper understanding of music.
The idea was not only to improve his knowledge, but also to expand artistic collaboration, connecting Mozambican and Brazilian cultures in a unique way.
Today, as one of the 100 most influential artists in the Portuguese-speaking world, chosen by the Bantumen platform in 2024, he has become an example of how music can be a bridge between different worlds, remaining true to its roots while adapting to contemporary times. In Brazil, he faces the challenge of preserving Mozambican tradition without losing sight of the dynamism of the modern art scene, thus building a vital link between these two universes.
Currently living in Brazil, Otis highlights that one of the biggest challenges he has faced is maintaining cultural traditions while understanding contemporary times, creating a bridge between these two universes. He firmly believes in the importance of asserting himself as a Mozambican in the diaspora.
According to Otis, living with multiple cultural identities requires a constant task of reinforcing one's nationality, becoming a visible and active link between the different cultures in which he is inserted.
His career is not only marked by recognition, but also by notable achievements. In 2018, he was awarded the “New Talents of Jazz” award in Brazil, winning, among great national and international competition, space in important jazz festivals. For him, this award symbolizes more than artistic recognition; it is a seal of validation of the hard work and consistency of his musical journey.
“Seeing my work being consumed and recognized, having the opportunity to collaborate with artists I never imagined working with, and being recommended by various channels is a great step forward,” he reflects.
This recognition does not only reflect the importance of an award, but also a validation of the impact and importance of his music, which is already reaching different audiences and breaking down barriers. He also believes that his career is still under construction and his path is far from complete.
Looking to the future, he highlights the responsibility of continuing to promote African culture without the stereotypes that often mark external perception. Being an agent of inclusion, rescuing and disseminating African knowledge, while contributing to a reinterpretation of Brazilian memory, which also involves valuing the African legacy.
(By Renaldo Manhice)
