Lily Luchesi's Blog (formerly Kelly Smith Reviews): MONTHLY MUSIC MADNESS (pt. 2): Otep Shamaya

A vocalist. A lyricist. A poet. A novelist. An activist. An artist. Those are the descriptions for the one and only Ms. Otep Shamaya, founder of the "artcore" outfit she named after herself.
I first discovered Otep when I was about twelve. I saw her video for "Buried Alive" on MTV2's Headbangers Ball and loved what I saw: a beautiful female metal artist not afraid to play in the boys' club and scream her heart out.
I was an immediate fan.
Her music (not something that everyone can enjoy, I'll admit it) is a mixture of metal, electronic, hip-hop and spoken word. The lyrics are meaningful, detailing pain, talking about religion, politics, sexuality and the state of the world.
Her poetry is much of the same. It's a modern, darker version of suxh greats as Sylvia Plath and e.e. cummings. My very first signed book was her poetry collection Caught Screaming, in fact.
Her videos are visual experiences one must see for oneself. Links will be below.

She also helped me, personally, as she has helped many of her fans. Her motto is "art saves" and her art got me through sine of the toughest times of my life, namely my decision to come out as a bisexual. Ms. Shamaya is an out lesbian and her fights for equality are unmatched by any other activist. She is so inspiring.
Also, she is an animal rights activist, and her posts are more than eye-opening!

She's toured on Ozzfest and with such acts as Shadows Fall, Five Finger Deathpunch, Slipknot, Il Nino, Butcher Babies and many more.
Recently, she's announced that she's left her label and will be recording a follow-up to her latest album, Hydra.
Ms. Shamaya is also a GLAAD-nominated artist and was featured on HBO's Def Poetry.

Enjoy at your own risk of extreme eargasms!