South African-Norwegian hip-hop artist and producer Vuyo talks personal inspirations and about the message behind his music on the back of the release of his new single ‘Vuyo’s Woman’.
What is the inspiration/message behind ‘Vuyo’s Woman’?
The song is about the duality of being in love and chasing your dreams. You can only be one place at a time, so make that time count.
How would you describe your sound? How would you say it’s evolved?
In the start, I would say my music was rooted in the 90’s boom-bap and early 00’s chipmunk-samples. I would spend hours mimicking the sound of my favourite producers, compared to now where I feel the sound has developed more into a vast array of sounds and emotions but still centred around the drunken drums of J. Dilla and the soulfulness of Tribe.
Who inspires you both on a personal level, and professionally?
On a professional level, I’m really inspired by great storytellers and people that can convey their message in a way that draws the attention of others. On a more personal level it’s my family, my friends and to see the way some of them dedicates themselves to mastering whatever endeavour they pursue and of course my North of family is a constant inspiration and motivation to push even further.
If listeners could take away one message from your music, what would you want that to be?
Well, that would differ from song to song it’s not all one message.
Yet trough the Sonics I’m trying to convey to the listeners that you should follow your passions and nurture your dreams.
The only thing certain in life is taxes and death, so try and be the best you before the end of act 3.
What’s one question no one has ever asked in an interview you wish you were asked?
Well,l it’s a lack of Seinfeld and Larry David oriented questions in my day to day. In a perfect world, I answer the big questions about Festivus and Kenny Bania.
What’s a song from your personal playlist you’ve had on repeat recently and why?
Sa-Ra Creative Partners with ‘Rosebuds’, because Taz Arnold, Om’Mas Keith & Shafiq Husayn are pure genius! Everybody should get a little more Sa-Ra in their life.
Listen to ‘Vuyo’s Woman’ below:
Follow Vuyo on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and SoundCloud.