ON OUR RADAR: OSHRI
THE Israeli-born singer (24) and former Capetonian, now based in Los Angeles, is making waves locally with his track Bad Reputation featuring Jimmy Nevis. How did the collaboration come about? Bad Reputation is a true story, about a girl who didn’t want to give me a chance to get close to her! She judged me before she even got to know me. When my SA team heard Bad Reputation, they immediately sent me links to Jimmy’s work suggesting we should feature him on the song. We got connected and instantly vibed. Where was it recorded? I recorded the song in New York at Platinum Studios where artist like Miguel, Lady Gaga, Chris Brown and Desiigner have worked. And Jimmy recorded his verse in Cape Town. We shot the music video in Cape Town. A Cristian Poow remix of your song Crazy But Free recently made it onto Billboard’s Dance Club Songs chart. How do you feel about the success of this song which promotes self-confidence? It felt amazing. The music industry is one of the most difficult industries to crack and it’s just told me, “Don’t break, keep going, people love what you do.” That people connect with the message of the song shows me it’s needed and I should keep expressing and sharing the way I see life. Describe your sound. Edgy pop with some Eastern flavour. You won the first Trace Stars song competition in 2014 and were mentored by Wyclef Jean. Tell us more about that experience. I was slowly moving away from doing music professionally. Life and reality can sometimes fade out your dreams. But then I won and everything changed – not just my life and where I was going, but also how I was thinking. I’ll never forget the phone call I got from Wyclef; the things he said just made so much sense. I’ll be forever grateful. Thanks to him and Trace I’m now living in the States and living my dream! You’re signed to Akon’s record label. How did that come about? He heard me at the Trace Urban French Music Awards in Paris in 2015. We had a meeting the next day and the deal was on the table. You’re originally from Israel. When did you move to SA? I first came here in 2010 to travel. I fell in love with the country and decided to stay. Now I have two homes to go back to. Where are your family based? My mom and sister are in Israel and my dad is in France. My sister Limor (45) took over the family restaurant we have on our farm. My mom is retired and my dad was a pastry chef. He’s not a part of my life. The highlights of your career so far? Winning Trace Stars, writing with Wyclef Jean, performing Crazy But Free as the theme song of the Cape Town Carnival, and having my first song on a Billboard chart. What do you do in your spare time? I have the biggest sweet tooth ever so I’m always down to go out and find a new dessert spot. Yoga, shows . . . spiritual learning for the soul and gym for the body.