She released an album just recently, and the original songs she composed, the efforts she put in into producing the album has been quite nicely appreciated in the society.
After the Mokokchung release of her album at Cosmos Entertainment Hall by Mokokchung DC, Lithrongla G Chishi, the Naga Idol 5.10 Renbeni Odyuo talks about her album and her passion for music with The Morung Express. (The following are some of the excerpts)
MEx: Tell us something about your album?
Renbeni Odyuo: The title of the album is ‘Essence’ and I have dedicated as a tribute to my parents. All the songs are written by me, and it took quite some time to write the lyrics, and some of the songs were composed by me. You would find an array of genres in the album because I know that in Nagaland you have listeners of different genres and I have tried to make my album for every kind of listener. I am thankful to the musicians, sound engineers and ‘Crystal Sound’ recording studio for their efforts in making my album a success.
MEx: So you have dedicated it to your parents. What kind of an influence does your parents have on your.
Renbeni Odyuo: My parents have been my greatest source of support and inspiration. You see, in Naga society, it is true that unless you have the support of your parents then you would not go far. And I am thank my parents for always being there for me my whole life, and supporting me in my singing career right from the start, and especially during the Naga Idol 5.10 edition, where I could win the title.
MEx: What is the greatest benefit of winning the Naga Idol 5.10 title in your life?
Renbeni Odyuo: It gave me a lot of recognition. The publicity of Naga Idol 5.10 also boosted my singing career and encouraged me to go on with my singings. Actually I was planning to go for further studies, but after winning the title, I decided to push on with music and now I don’t want to stop; I just want to continue singing.
MEx: What is music to you?
Renbeni Odyuo: Music means who I am today. It will always be a part of my life. However, just as I like singing, I like performing as much, and today I am happy that I am getting a lot of opportunities to singing and perform on different live stages.
MEx: What was your dream as a young girl?
Renbeni Odyuo: Well, I always dreamed myself on the stage. However, it was just the imagination of a young girl and it remained just as a dream. However, as I grew up I got opportunities to sing in the churches and I took every opportunity to perform. My stay in Shillong doing by BA degree was really helpful because at Shilling there are many unions and programmes and I got lots of opportunities to sing. Then I won the Naga Idol 5.10 title, and finally I could release my own debut album. Today I am a happier person, because I am living my dreams.
MEx: Last year after winning the Naga Idol 5.10, you said ‘just don’t give up in life’ to our readers. What do you have to say today?
Renbeni Odyuo: I would say the same thing, just don’t give up in life, because winners never quit. However I have to add something there, like to be a winner you have to work very hard, and just move on. As a singer, you have to take every opportunity to sing and perform, and give your best; it’s a long process, but ultimately, hard work and sincerity and faith do bear fruits. You simply have to grasp every opportunity, and sing it to their face.
MEx: What are your future plans?
Renbeni Odyuo: Now that I have released my album. I want to work on another album. I am planning on a local dialect album, and am seriously thinking about it. In the meantime, I am also getting a lot of offers to perform in different parts of the state, and though it is tiring sometimes, but still love it and the music will play on for me.
