Oltanie, a Haitian American vocalist based in Indianapolis, has gained a significant following with her music being streamed over a million times online.
She recently spoke with WFYI's Kyle Long about her unique sound and the challenges of performing Caribbean music in the Midwest.
Oltanie describes her music as Afro Caribbean, mixing English and Kreyòl lyrics with music inspired by West African genres, including Afrobeats.
As Oltanie explains,
my sound is more like Afro with the Caribbean taste, but I do mix it a little bit.
A large percentage of Oltanie's audience lives outside of Indiana, showcasing her global appeal.
Author's summary: Oltanie blends Afrobeats and Caribbean styles.