JJ Paulo's 'Baba Mufasa' Is A Feel-Good Homage To His Roots
“This EP is dedicated to my people (African people) which is the title of the first track. Black is beautiful, our society is ugly. My people inspired the EP, we are smiling, creative and accommodating people.”
Denmark-based, multifaceted Tanzanian artist JJ Paulo creates music that is simultaneously feel-good and conscientious. His latest project, Baba Mufasa, is an afro-fusion tinged, meticulously produced offering. On it, JJ Paulo pays homage to his Tanzanian roots, sprinkling sonic elements of sukuma culture throughout the EP, and encourages Africans to celebrate each other.
For those of our audience unfamiliar with you, who is JJ Paulo?
JJ Paulo is the greatest performer alive, if anyone disagrees - challenge accepted.
Where are you from? Can you speak briefly on your upbringing and how that led you to music?
I was born in a small village named Bujora in Tanzania. In my village traditional Tanzanian sukuma culture is cultivated at the highest level. I have practiced in this culture all my life and today I am proud that it is reflected in my music. I moved to Denmark with my father when I was very young, my upbringing in Denmark was lovely, I grew up in an area where my family were the only black people but yet we never felt different. I think the neighbours and society could see. That we worked really hard to become integrated in the Danish culture and that is something they respected. The Danish culture is very different from Tanzanian culture. In Denmark you are never late, in Tanzania you are late all the time. In Denmark people always stress, in Tanzania you never stress. In Denmark you always plan ahead, in Tanzania you live day by day, I love both cultures.
What moments influenced your decision to pursue a career as an artist?
My music is not just “music”, my music is my culture. When I’m on stage I take the audience to Africa. My culture influenced me to become an artist. I wish to give people a better understanding of my Tanzanian culture through my artistry. If we have a better understanding of other cultures, we automatically become better people - and that's how we can erase racism and prejudice.
How would you describe your sound and who/what have been your musical inspirations?
My sound is a mix of afro-beat and afro-fusion consisting of warm African grooves combined with African traditions. My musical inspirations have been Michael Jackson (greatest performer ever) and my parents. My parents taught me everything there is to know about performing. Without them I would be Clark Kent, they created the superman I am today. And when I make it internationally in a year or two I will buy my mother a house in Silkeborg and my Baba a black Range Rover.
What’s your creative process?
Wake up – drink chai – go to university – go to my student job – play FIFA – go to the gym – Make music. I am a busy man, but luckily my Tanzanian culture makes it impossible for me to stress. I mix, record, produce/co-produce, and write everything from my apartment. I don’t like to sit in a studio for hours and hours to make music. My passion is performing. Today you make your money from performing not from streams. So, I’ve been investing a lot in my live set-up. And it is being noticed, this year I was booked to perform at many festivals including Roskilde festival (biggest festival in Northern - Europe with over 80 thousand participants).
What inspired your ‘Baba Mufasa’ EP and what is the story behind each track?
This EP is dedicated to my people (African people) which is the title of the first track. Black is beautiful, our society is ugly. My people inspired the EP, we are smiling, creative and accommodating people. I wanted that to be reflected in my EP. This is not face down ass up music (not that there's anything wrong with that type of music). But I really try to make music that tells a story. It's my turn now to talk about how everybody used to doubt me and how I've never waited for anyone to give me an opportunity. I’ve always chased down my opportunities and taken them myself, I know so many people that can relate to that. I hope you will enjoy this EP, African music is enjoying huge popularity all over the world and it is only a matter of time before I do the same. Kind regards Baba Mufasa.
