Dope Bitch: Blaya Of Buraka Som Sistema (Interview)
I recently got a chance to talk to the front woman of Portuguese super group Buraka Som Sistema. Her name is Blaya Rodrigues and she is a tiny force to be reckoned with: definitely worthy of the Dope Bitch title.
Me, random beach dude and Blaya on Holy Ship’s private beach party
I first got the pleasure of meeting Blaya during my adventures on Holy Ship (see photos here) and the first thing that stuck out about her wasn’t her crazy fashion sense- it was how nice and approachable she was. Actually all of the band members are really nice. She even posed for pictures and danced with fans on the beach. With Skrillex, Rusko, Steve Aoki and all the other completely unaproachable DJ’s on the ship it was a nice change of pace to be able to speak to her. Mind you her English isn’t the best- she’s still a sweetie.
Blaya is constantly changing her hair color and wearing some funky makeup. 2 Dope Bitches had to ask her a few questions about her music and style and what she does if she ever has free time.
Aside from standing out in a crowd ( a crowd she may currently be rocking , no less) she also teaches the crazy dance moves she performs on stage.
2DB- Who are you? Who is Buraka Som Sistema?
Blaya- Im Blaya, I’m a singer and dancer. Buraka´s a group from Portugal ( Lisbon)
2DB- How do you describe your style of music?
Blaya- Its all about electronic music.
2DB- What language(s) do you speak/sing in?
Blaya- Portuguese and English
2DB- What music/artists do you listen to?
Blaya- I’m kinda weird… I like mostly sentimental songs. but Azelia Banks, J*davey, Fat Freddys Drop, Rihanna, Nicki Minaj, Alex Clare, James Blake, Brazilian music.
2DB- What do you do in your off-time?
Blaya- I teach kuduro.
2DB- What color is next for your hair?
Blaya- lool good question! maybe green!..
2DB- WE LOVE YOUR STYLE- How do you decide what to wear to shows?
Blaya- It has to be pretty and short. i go shopping and [when I see the right thing] bamm!!!
2DB- How do you dress on a normal day?
Blaya- i have many styles, I can wear a jogging suit today and tomorrow I can [wear] a transparent thing. I really dont know!
Here is a bit about the band
Buraka Som Sistema is an electronic dance music project from Portugal, specializing in a fusion of techno beats with the African kuduro genre, and are generally credited with creating the “progressive kuduro” variant and have been awarded an MTV European Music Award.
Kuduro (or Kuduru) is a type of music and dance originally born in Angola in the 1980s. It is characterized as uptempo, energetic, and danceable. Kuduro, which translates as “hard ass”, began in Luanda, Angola in the late 80s. Initially, producers sampled traditional carnival music like zouk and soca from the Caribbean and semba from Angola and laid this around a fast 4/4 beat.
Thanks, Wiki.
The music is fun- up beat, easy to dance to, and high energy. I applaud the fact that Buaraka is brining a sound native to them to the fore front. Like, they are passing on the music of the people for us to hear.
Check her and Buraka Som Sistema in action:
Buraka Som Sistema – Tira o Pe
Buraka Som Sistema – (We Stay) Up All Night
Did you see Blaya in the sequins??
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Blaya Rodrigues