Following his hit single Bout It featuring Miles, Tyson S.T and DoouShii in November 2020, rapper Bludbunz has finally released his much anticipated debut mixtape, Currently California. The 8 track mixtape features the likes of Season98, Johnny Basz and Phiwo – just to mention a few.
808 PLUG caught up with Bludbunz to discuss all things Currently California, and to get to know more about him as an artist.
For our readers who are just getting to know you, who is Bludbunz?
Mpho Marcus Tlou, formally known as Bludbunz, is a 20 year old recording artist and self taught producer from Pretoria East, Gauteng.
What can you tell us about your mixtape, Currently California?
It’s definitely different. The sound, the feel and the atmosphere of the project are all positive. My team and I have tapped into a sound that many artists haven’t been able to crack for the longest time – and we did it with ease. A sound we call east side bounce.
What inspired Currently California?
To be really honest, I started the project thinking I was gonna prove a point. I wanted to prove that I’m a solid artist and not a “one hit wonder.” But, as time went by, I no longer cared what people thought about me or my music so I just started making pure hearted music and it led me to the project I currently have. I think that’s why I’m so attached to this body of work, because it was organic.
Are there any specific songs on Currently California that speak to you the most?
My intro, Mindset, is one song I consider really special because I brought up almost everything that happened in my recent past and tried to convey a message that, even through the toughest time of my life, I would just go outside, clear my mind and plan out how my day would go by, keeping my mindset clear. My track seven, Currently California, is special to me because it represents my project very well (excluding the fact that its my title song) and if I ever wanted someone to recommend my music off of one song, it would be that one. Finally, my track eight, Loose Talk featuring Season98 is also one song I think is special because I showcased a whole lot of talent on it. If it was flow, bars, creativity or bounce that you were looking for, it’s on that song.
What do you hope your listeners take away from Currently California?
Currently California is a positive project. It’s the type of project you want to play because you’re in a good mood and you just feel like you’re on vacation in Cali. We hope we were able to give you that feeling through audio, and hopefully through visuals too.
When, and how did your journey with music start?
I started making beats in grade eight or nine, I’m not really sure, but it was around 2014/15. I learnt from a friend who was producing way before me so I just paid attention to what he did and eventually got the hang of it on my own. I was just making beats that I’d write to or give away to my homies who were making music too, but then I decided to take my music career seriously when I got into studio for the first time, which was in March 2020.
What are your all-time favourite hip hop albums?
95 by Beam, Stuffolk Country by Cousin Stizz, Tha Carter IV by Lil’ Wayne, Die Mondez are forever by Die Mondez, The New Toronto II by Tory Lanez, Revenge Of The Dreamers III by Dreamville, From Me To You And Only You by A-Reece, More Of Me by Ecco, No Love Lost by Blxst and Dead Or Alive by Flvme. Just to name a few.
Which artists would you like to work with in the future?
Again, if I’m being honest, the people I’m working with now are already amazing artists and I’m not really a big fan of mainstream music, but anybody that is fire is cool too. As long as the music bangs, it doesn’t matter who is on the song.
Who are your biggest music influences?
Season98, T.emba, DoouShii, Miles, Tyson S.T, 25K, Die Mondez, Flvme, Ecco, Yolophonik, Farx, Johnny Basz and more. I find inspiration from local artists.
What’s next for Bludbunz?
My regular days are simple. I make music and sleep. My supporters are the ones who make my next achievements possible (whatever they may be) and right now, it’s all in their hands. I’ve done my part and the only people that can make my life a lot more interesting are the people listening to the music. Otherwise, I’m just making music. I’ve got a joint tape with someone coming soon, I’m already working on the deluxe for my project and I have a whole new line of visuals set for this year. What you can expect from me is a whole lot more music.
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