We chat to talented vocalist Bucie about the Channel O Africa Music Awards. We get her thoughts about being nominated, possibly performing at the awards, and if there is a man inspiring her massive hits Easy to love, Shela, Superman and many others.
How do you feel about being nominated in the Most Gifted Female category?
It’s exciting. It makes me feel like I need to start competing. The nomination, for me, is enough though. I am recognised and that is enough for my profile. So many artists are working very hard to make it big and they are still underground. So I feel very blessed to have been recognised among some very talented artists.
You are up against some tough competition…
Yes, I am. But I have fans in Nigeria, Ghana and Mozambique and that makes me think “Hey, maybe I am also tough competition.” The support from home is so amazing – people who know that I have been nominated are always assuring me that I will get the title as they will vote for me. It is great to know that people appreciate my music so much.
There is always a recurring theme of love in your songs. Tell us, is there someone in the picture?
There is. He is hidden somewhere in the background (laughs), and you will never find him.
You are very humble and down to earth…
Yes, I am so chilled. People sometimes think I am ghetto. I remember on stage at a performance one time, I yelled at people who were fighting during the show. We were all there to have a good time and I didn’t understand why they were fighting so I just shouted at them.
They say you can take the girl out of the ghetto…
But you can never take the ghetto out of the girl.
Can we expect a performance from you at The Channel O Africa Music Video Awards?
I hope so. I really hope so. I performed Get over it at the awards in 2012. The performance was so beautifully choreographed and everyone was talking about it. If I get the chance to perform again this year, I will be competing with myself because every other performance has to be better than the one before it.
If you had to create your own nomination category for the awards what would it be?
Best live performance. I say this because I have seen how my fans react every time they see me perform live. And live performances are not recognised in South Africa. When I perform, it is usually for about 45 minutes to an hour, and I wish it could be more. There are big concerts and festivals that take place in South Africa every year but so many people do not know about them and that is where you find your truest fans.
Do you usually know that a song will be a hit when it is still in production?
No, never! I usually don’t know. You don’t want to do that and then end up thinking that you are the best and eventually become complacent in your work. You just make a song and hope that people understand the message. There are so many songs these days that are only popular for the beat, but repeating the lyrical content. I have found that a good song will surpass all genre preferences and that people will love it, whether they usually listen to hip hop, kwaito or anything else.
Do you see yourself heading outside of the house music genre?
I would like to. I think it will help showcase my talent and prove it to be broad and diverse.
Who would you most like to collaborate with, locally and internationally?
Locally, I would love to work with 340ml. They have such a unique sound. I was actually listening to their song, Midnight, on my way here; and I thought, ‘wow, this is such a lovely song’. It reminded me so much of one of my songs. Internationally, Beyonce. She really needs to come here and write me a song. (laughs).
Any year-end plans that you are looking forward to?
I will be working very hard on my music in December, but my main aim is to take my son back to school in January.
Any message you would like to send out to your fans?
Yes. Please vote for me in the Channel O Music Awards for the Most Gifted Female category. You can vote on WeChat or via SMS.
Pictures: Channel O
