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BODDHI SATVA :
IT BEGAN IN… AFRICA!
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We’re the results of a global history, said to me US singer CeCe Rogers ages ago, with each of us being its agents prior to eventually become its instruments, when not the ambassadors of it. With his name actually on everyone’s lips from Vega Records with his remix of Mr V’s ‘Born Again’ to Shelter Records with the most awaited remix package of his recently released ‘Warriors Of Africa’ featuring Freddy Massamba, not to mention a full album due to be released later this year under the form of a joint venture with Osunlade’s Yoruba Records imprint, it’s pretty much where our man stands at. Unfortunately for his growin’ fan base, he’ll be taken away from the Miami centerstage due to numerous projects currently under completion. Nuff reasons for us bringing him to you. Brothers & sisters, please welcome Boddhi Satva!
Words: MFSB
Hey Boddhi, such a shame not havin’ the pleasure to see you in Miami. Looks like you’ve obviously been quite busy over those last weeks/months…
To tell you the truth, I feel a bit sad not coming over this year. Actually, I came to Miami in 2002 on DJ Pippi’s invitation. That Trip has changed the all perception I had about electronic music. But I’m busy on couple of projects by the grace of God.
How do you live this progressive recognition of yours on a wider scale? Would you ever tend to feel some growing pressure?
I really feel blessed by this, and I take this reality as a dream coming to life. Of course there might be some kind of pressure, but I realy don’t feel it, as I’m well organized and surrounded.
I understand you’re coming from quite far, I mean familywise. Let us know about this eclectic upbringing of yours?
You got it man. My father is half French half Central African and my mom is half American half Belgian. I was born in Bangui and raised in Bria (East of the Central African Republic) and have been exposed to a lot of jazz, soul, classical music, not to mention a lot of African music as you may imagine…
How many languages do you speak? Which one would you tend to prefer?
Well… Officially, I speak Sango (the Central African national language), French, English, Spanish (although I’ve lost a lot of vocabulary) and 4 others from other regions of C.A.R. that I understand more then I speak…
I guess this has had quite some effects on your life as an indivual, meaning by that that wherever you are you must either be considered of feel like a foreigner wherever you may be… But also as an artist on your will to display a close translation to who you are…
Absolutely. I feel like a foreigner although South would tend to be where I feel like home… As in regards to the translation of who I am, it’s an ongoing process which has already gone a long way and is far from being over. I want my sound to be understood.
Isn’t that somehow hard to feel like you always have to explain the things as to who you are, from Belgium where you’re currently based to your native Africa where you regularly come back? Not to say to be perpetually torn between far different cultures?
In fact it is something I’m pretty much used to. Africa is my sanctuary, my earth, my blood and my roots. Meanwhile the rest of the world is where I have to pass to help me accomplish what I’m doing today. I guess people start understanding this. The main thing for me is to be in good balance with my cultures.
Let us know about what has brought you to music, then your very first experience…Well, frankly speakin’, I was honestly more of a music listener than anything else. Production was more something I was admiring and I had no idea I could do a beat or a melody. I started playing drums at the age of 7, but I was very naive at the time and not even expecting to become a producer. My first serious experience happened when I was 14 as a part of a hip hop crew who I did a lot of live performances with til the age of 18. It is when I moved to Europe to pursue my studies in 2000 - I never finished them though - that I started producing after 2 years in the diamond industry as a polisher.
Those you’ve considered as models, sources of inspiration back then…
Miles Davis, Fela Kuti, Franco and Rochereau, Marvin Gaye, Canon Star, Diamkot, IAM, A Tribe Called Quest, Osunlade, Alton Miller, Kerri Chandler, MAW, Carl Craig, Busta Rhymes and the list goes on…
Seems like you’ve gone a long way from your early days to your nowadays status. Have you ever gone through periods of doubts?
Yeah man, of course. I stopped everything to focus on the production work and it’s a hard life. But I love it because the amount of energy and work I ‘m putting on it is going to pay off.
Is it to say, for the attention of those who might be tempted to think everything may happen from a simple click, that artistry is definitely the result of a long maturation?
Without a single doubt. I mean behind evrything that appears to sight, there’s something behind which is the result of some work. As far as I’ve come to obverse, things you get easy and quick never last long. So I rather have it the hard way.
Hard question I guess: How would you define your art?
Well, I believe ancestral is the way I would define it.
Seems like a brand new generation of people is currently makin’ itself a name, from the hyperactive Abicah Soul to Carlos Mena, Anto Vitale, DJ Rocco, Melchyor A and a bunch of others on the footsteps of Joe Claussell, Jephté Guillaume, Ron Trent, Glenn Underground, not to mention your brother Osunlade with the affirmation of a strong identity. One comment?
Well, you look like havin’ said everything… I feel honored to have my name on the list. And truly, yes I think there’s a new breath floating around with the arrival of a new sound is arriving. Looks like we’re all respectively bringing our own stone to the edifice.
Would this have to be seen as a natural reaction as opposed to the ongoing standardization process of the Western world???
Definitely and I guess this is just the beginning. Change is part of life. Whenever many people are not prepared for it yet, it happens.
Let us know about your day to day life, from Liège where you live (close to Germany), to your recording sessions and monthly nighter in Brussels, not to mention your numerous stayings in Africa…
You are well informed my man. Well, I used to live in Brussels for 7 years and I moved near Liège last November. So country side is where I live and take my inspiration from. I do an event called Offering Nights which happens once every two month in Brussels. Hard scene to build up, but we are on our way to make it happen. Africa is off course my main destination and Mali more specifically I’m doing a lot there and already organizing myself to stay there at least 2 to 3 months a year.
Brussels has more the reputation of being geared towards techno and electronic with clubs like Le Fuse. How has it been for you to set up a monthly night? To build an audience?
A whole trip, coz’ the crowd is conditioned to ear a certain kind of music.
Brussels has never been reknown in terms of soulful music scene as opposed to Antwerp or Gent that have the main clubs and crowds for the music we’re doing. There are only two clubs displayin’ the type of music we love in Brussels: “The Wax Club” and “The Living Club”. I’m involved in both of them coz’ the owners are really good friends and very supportive for the music.
Let’s talk about its concept, your forthcomin’ guests…
Offering Nights is really dedicated to uplifting music. The visual concept is very very particular. I work with one of the best graphic designers around (Sophie Kishiba) and we’ve developed a strong collaboration. Speaking of guests, I’m actually working on it. But I already have a couple of great friends who’ll come over soon.
Any other night worth to check in the city? Elsewhere in the country?
Definitely Antwerp (Stereo Sushi, Café d’Anvers, Café au lait to name a few), Gent (Charlatan) and, as I said, Brussels (The Wax Club, The Living Club)
Belgium is also reknown for its contribution to colonialism in Africa in the past, although on a lesser extend than bigger countries such as UK, France & Portugal. Is it still strongly in the collective memory, be you Black or White?
Yes, for sure. But I have the feeling there has been the beginning of a change over the last couple of years. But again, time will say if it is something that will last.
Let us know about the local African diaspora. The people you’re workin’ with? Any of them due to appear on your awaited first album?
The African diaspora is actually well organized, No real conflicts, people live with each other quiet well so far. I have the chance to work with very very talented people (Abel Tabu, Simon Le Saint, Fredy Massamba, Cid & Niota, Hillyah, Peggy Tabu, Tony Stone etc…) Some of them plus other will definitely be on my album.
Do you already have a clear idea of its concept, what to expect from it? Any collaboration with Osunlade? Afefe Iku who you’ve been collaborating with on his recent single?
I love soul, R&B, hip-hop and African music in general, so my album will be a mix of all those influences. Osunlade is definitely going to bless the album by his presence one way or another. Regarding Afefe, well this man is so unique on his genre that I don’t know if he’ll be a part of it. I’ve offered him to join and I’m hoping to have a positive answer.
Aside forthcoming projects?
Plenty… I’m a workaholic, so you’ll be served properly. Upcoming projects with Oveous Maximus and the collaboration of Seed Allstarz. An EP on Seasons Recordings to come out in a month or two. Another one with Shack Music London that will get to light by the middle of the year, Remixes for DJ Pippi and Danny Marquez soon to come out. A rework which I’ve done of a big African hit by Oumou Sangaré coming out and followed by a clip we’ve just got shooted with her. And last but not least, new singles to be expected on my own label.
One extra word you’d like to say to the attention of both our visitors and the Miami attendees?
First and foremost, sharing the music is killing us all. And I kindly ask the fans of our music to understand that this is really taking our small industry down. Besides that, I wish everybody an amazing time, lot of fun and blessings.
Catch: BODDHI SATAVA Fri. 03/28 @ LIVING: Rue de Livourne/Livornostraat, 40 – 1000 BRUXELLES/BRUSSEL
Yoruba Soul Party featuring Osunlade, Boddhi Satva, Gabriele Poso & Franck Roger Fri. 04/18 @ DJOON: 22, bd Vincent Auriol – 75013 PARIS
BODDHI SATVA – Get Up + Remixes (Seed Recordings)
BODDHI SATVA featuring FREDY MASSAMBA – Warriors Of Africa (Offering Records) + Remix package awaited on Shelter Records
BODDHI SATVA featuring CID & NIOTA – Na Wuti Musica – Franck Roger’s Hypnotic Mix (Franck Roger Digital)
V – Born Again – Boddhi Satva & Mr V Retouch (Vega Records)
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