Known as the ‘Father of Ancestral Soul Music’, Boddhi Satva is
a musician, DJ, producer, culture ambassador — rolled into one.
Rubina Singh meets him while he was on a brief stopover in Doha
Emerging talent, musician, DJ, producer, Boddhi Satva was in Doha last week for only one evening, churning out irresistible African beats for the exclusive guests of Doha’s W Hotel.
His creativity and unique style of music is bewitching, with producers and audience alike taking to it in a big way. Immensely popular in South Africa and Angola, his recent publicity tour to France saw him being branded the ‘Father of Ancestral Soul Music’.
Grammy winner Louie Vega, also known as the ‘Godfather of House Music’, hand-picked Boddhi to be an elite producer for Vega Records and a resident of Vega DJ tours.
Boddhi Satva has become an in-demand remixer as ‘Ancestral Soul’ versions of mainstream tracks is winning over club audiences across the globe, in addition to recognition from music connoisseurs and trendsetters.
In 2007, he launched his own recording label ‘Offering Records’ through which he tries to give other budding artists a chance to share their talent with the wider world, something he is very passionate about, mostly due to his own struggles but also because as a person he has always had great empathy for others’ hardship. No wonder then, he chose Boddhi Satva, with its Budhist philosophical connotations, as his artistic name.
He relishes the chance to make music with a variety of musicians across the world, particularly in Africa where he says he belongs. In spite of his light skin, his heart and soul is truly African, he says.
Born and raised in the lesser known Central African Republic (CAR), Boddhi grew up in the bush in the ‘heart of Africa’ as likes to call it. The last 12 years saw him living in Belgium, Brussels and DJ-ing and travelling to Africa and Asia for the production of his music.
In December last year, he decided to make his way back to his place of birth ie. Bangui, which he says has given him a profound sense of peace and homecoming.
His debut album Invocation released by BBE Records is packed with fine feature artists, such as Grammy Award winner Oumou Sangaré, Grammy Award nominee Vikter Duplaix as well as his Executive Producer, Grammy Award winner, Little Louie Vega.
The song Ngnari Konon which he says has been honoured by the contribution of the Grammy Award winning singer Oumou Sangaré, is already a sensational hit.
Boddhi is in demand as a remixer, master in the art of rejuvenating contemporary music mingled with African rhythms while all the time assimilating international influences gathered from performing around the world.
He has been called the father of ancestral soul music, a genre and a name humbly coined by him. He is particularly well known in South Africa which is also the biggest market for Boddhi’s ancestral soul music. So immense is its popularity and enchantment, that it has been suggested he trademark it.
His inimitable music has a distinct African rhythm as well as a profoundly uplifting and inspiring appeal to all people, irrespective of origin. Humble to the core, he acknowledges that W hotels resident DJ Bruno Rasher and DJ Steve Paris have been amazing ambassadors for his sound with W Doha perhaps the only club in Qatar where people can experience the magic of his music
Named Armani at birth, he adopted the Buddhist name, Boddhi Satva, as he feels it defines his personality suitably. An extremely spiritual name, he believes its connotations reflect his true nature better. Excerpts from the interview…
What inspired this unusual name and previously non-existent genre: Ancestral Soul Music?
I call my music Ancestral Soul, because of its appeal to ancestry. Not only Africans but internationally, people tell me that when they listen to my music, it takes them back to a place that feels like home, wherever and whatever that may be for each individual. To me it means that the music is a call beckoning them to their ancestry … their heritage … and hence, that’s how my music came to be known as ‘Ancestral Soul Music’.
However, I don’t want to be typecast into a specific bracket, simply so it allows me the freedom to be creative and doesn’t limit me to a certain kind of sound. When people come to experience my music, they know that they are expecting a journey rather than just one type of sound.
How does your music differ from House Music or any other mainstream genre?
The main difference is the intention behind my music. To me, music is energy. If you put the wrong energy into it, the crowd will eventually feel it and you will witness fights and guys being vulgar which I have never witnessed throughout my whole career and I’ve been doing this for 11 years.
The difference also has a lot to do with my use of African drums and mixing of traditional drumming as well modern African music. The synchronisation and making of these beats is very much in respect to how it’s done back home, so I turn ‘indigenous’ sounds into modern dance-able music and I mix them with R&B energy and techno and such. I try to keep soul into my music. The authenticity and the deeply rooted African rhythmic and melodic approach is what make it different to others.
I believe, you can find African influence rhythms in music all around the world, maybe except classical music and in this particular sense, I try to keep this energy as large as possible in the way I produce the music.
Furthermore, I think my music stays honest and doesn’t compromise but also allows someone, who hasn’t heard this sound before, to be able to appreciate it. It is open enough to appeal both to your sense of partying — what you may relate to as mainstream music — and also what you may relate to as something deep, something that touches your soul.
After being in the industry for almost a decade, you released your first album
It was as complicated for me to manifest what I feel into my own creative process, as it is to explain what Ancestral Soul means. It takes time, especially if through art you are hoping to touch people’s souls.
My music is an expression of my intention to do help people heal. People suffer on a daily basis. I hope that when people listen to my music, they are able to let go of everything, in a respectful way of course. And I have been able to achieve that in every concert I have played in every country I was blessed to perform in.
And how did you achieve that?
I genuinely do not know. I just know I do my music with my heart. There is a lot of pain in my music in a way, it’s not sad and miserable, but it’s real music with real suffering and a real expression of emotion that I’ve had to deal with and my music reflects my pain and people are actually receptive to this.
It is nice to see that even musicians like Bob Sinclair with whom I remixed the song Love you no more respected what I do and for me that was the epitome of everything I could have hoped for because I do a very specific sound that even to this day, I don’t understand how it became such a popular thing.
I also think people are really tired of fakeness and are seeking reality, something that will enrich their soul and enrich them as a person. At the same time, I also want my music to be fun. They want to experience something that is rich in soul and I think my music gives them that without being too serious.
Twelve years ago when set aside what you were doing and made an entry into the music industry … your dream world …were you not scared of stepping into the unknown? How did it start?
It started with a decision and like anything that starts from scratch, you don’t know how you are going to do it but you know you want to do it and you know you will get somewhere. It all started with that decision. I was really scared, as anyone would be because I didn’t have any support and no idea how I was going to achieve what I wanted but I felt that this is what I’m made for and I can only try.
I can honestly say that I am true proof that belief, faith, hard work and determination can take you anywhere you want to be.
Give us a sneak peek into your upcoming projects ...
My project now is to take over, in my humble way and with my humble means and possibly create a music and art industry in my country, open up schools and create resources for talented artists who do not have the capital and connections to take their art to the world.
My country, Central African Republic, is underrated. We have enormous amount of talent and a superb culture that still remains very much unknown to the larger world. We’ve had governments after governments not doing their job and consequently this culture has definitely been put aside. I plan to connect to people who want to invest in talent and art into a system that will allow the artists to make a decent living while being able to pursue their art.
While I don’t want to limit the project only to Africa, I want to start close to home because I know the systems there and to me it is very important to be transparent and have the good actually delivered to where it was intended for.
Share with us some lessons learnt in your journey so far?
I’m trying to leave a mark in this world, be it big or small. I am also making sure that I reach the goal that I have set for myself.
I’ve come to realise that money is not bad. In this world if you’re living without money, there is not much you can do to achieve your dreams of sharing your artistic talent with a wider community.
Your advice to other aspiring artists and community …
Respect money, it won’t corrupt you unless you want it to. Making money off your work doesn’t mean compromising your work, that’s what allows managers to commit. Don’t stay in your comfort zone. Always strive for something new. Never think you are too good for something. Don’t fake the funk and stay true to yourself. You can only change the system, if you are a part of it.
Give someone with potential a chance.
For more information log on to: http://boddhi-satva.com/#home; To sample his music log on to http://official.fm/playlists/77AM; Rubina Recommends (RR5*): Rock my world
SUNDAY CONVERSATION
I, me, myself
My most memorable experience
Being in the same studio with Grammy Award winner Oumou Sangaré — a unique experience that constantly reminds me how privileged I am.
Person who influenced me most
My family and a very small number of friends
Best thing that ever happened to me
Embracing music production and DJ-ing as a career which allowed me to learn the mechanics of the music business.
My greatest fear
It would be the stop of my own evolution.
My greatest weakness
Used to be my kindness, but since we never totally change from whom we truly are, it probably still is to a certain extent.
My strongest personality trait
Determined, perseverant, resilient
My weakest personality trait
Too hard with myself sometimes
Most dearest possession/ treasure
My family, my life and great friends
My favourite celebrity ...
In no specific order Johnny Depp, Al Pacino, Angelina Jolie
I love ...
Good food, music, philosophy, history, sports ... long list
I dislike ...
Lack of taste, lack of respect, racism, ignorance
I idolise ...
Nothing
I can’t live without ...
Internet (my music business is operated at 90% via the Internet).
I can’t live with ...
So many things, but to say the least, I can’t live with people who lack inner joy, faith and conviction.
Coffee or tea?
Tea
Snow or sun?
Both have their advantages and inconvenience, but I prefer sun.
Gadget I couldn’t do without
Smartphones (My iPhone & BlackBerry)
Biggest turn on/ turn off ...
Intelligence, generosity/ignorance, selfishness
... makes my life worth living
Life itself
I don’t believe in ...
Fake-ness
Three things to do before I die
Have my own family
Help as many beings on this planet
Go on a spiritual retreat