Rapper Buzzi Lee putting her best foot forward
By: Kayibiza LOunge
Provocative with her raps and appearance, rapper Buzzi Lee is one who commands attention easily. Born Bontle Busisiwe Boikarabelo Makhwelo, the star has quickly climbed the ladder to form part of South Africa’s Hip-hop new school class after kick starting her music career in 2019. Since then, she has proven what consistency can produce.
Moving from behind the camera to the front, Buzzi Lee’s rap prowess has seen her bag three nominations at the 2022 South African Hip-hop Awards, and winning the Best Remix Award for her feature on Mashbeat’s ‘Never Ride’ banger. The Bcom Motion Picture alumni from AFDA turned rapper has gotten the nod from the likes of the late Riky Ricky, Costa Titch and AKA.
Heavily drenched in the cool ways of her home city Pretoria, loosely coined Pitori by the masses, her Spitori raps and swag, coupled with the spirit of girl power, Buzzi Lee is gradually carving a name for herself within the Hip-hop scene.
From being featured on two of Phantom Steeze’s record, namely ‘Zonke’ Remix which featured the likes of Nadia Nakai and Sjava and ‘Hamba Ha’, and also on Faith K’s ‘Ongen’koti’, it is evident that Buzzi Lee’s focus is unmoved.
Refusing to be boxed, the star also put her versatility on blast when she dropped a Hip-hop/Kwaito infused banger which features Phantom Steeze titled ‘RO’4’. She is also determined to share in the manifestation of the 2023 Women’s Month theme “Accelerating Socio-Economic Opportunities for Women’s Empowerment”.
Buzzi Lee hails from Atteridgeville, in a township called Pheli, and was raised by her mother and grandmother. The ‘Nandos Emerging Artist of the Year’ 2023 nominee, at the Basadi In Music Awards, chats to us about-all-things Buzzi Lee.
Kayibiza: B to the Buzzi Lee! Warm welcome to FrontPage, how are you doing?
Buzzi Lee: I’m doing good, thank you.
Kayibiza: It’s still a bit chilly, which hot cup does Buzzi Lee start her morning with, rooibos or coffee?
Buzzi Lee: Some days it’s rooibos, sometimes it’s coffee. So I guess it’s both.
Kayibiza: To new and old fans that may not know, what’s a Buzzi Lee fun fact?
Buzzi Lee: A fun fact about me is that pink isn’t my favourite colour even though it’s the colour of my brand.
Kayibiza: With all the occupations that exist in the world, why did you choose to pursue music?
Buzzi Lee: I pursued music because it chose me. Everything about music and about this career has worked out for me more than anything else I’d try.
Kayibiza: Being from Pretoria, how would you say it has influenced your style of music?
Buzzi Lee: It has influenced my music in that the language spoken in the streets of Pretoria is what I use to write and record music. Also, it’s in the songs I’ve heard while growing up that have inspired the way I approach a song.
Kayibiza: What does Hip-hop mean to Buzzi Lee?
Buzzi Lee: Hip-hop means everything to me. I grew up mostly listening to it and I’d remember all the lyrics and flows and mimic artists’ voices extremely well when I was younger. It’s crazy to me yet it makes so much sense that today I’m representing Hip-hop in my city and my country.
Kayibiza: Putting the spotlight on women in this male dominated genre, what would you say is the role of female artists in the music industry?
Buzzi Lee: The role of female artists is to give a voice to women and young girls out there who listen to Hip-hop. Help them also have things to relate to, from a woman’s perspective, which is presented through the art of music.
Kayibiza: Having worked with industry heavyweights – how do you approach a feature?
Buzzi Lee: By studying the beat, getting comfortable with it, allowing myself to brainstorm different ways I’d like to rap on the beat to make it different and exciting. In some way, to elevate the song’s potential.
Kayibiza: How important is it to keep Bontle Makhwelo separate from the persona that is Buzzi Lee?
Buzzi Lee: It’s very important so that I don’t lose myself in this industry. I am both people but at home there’s no need to act like or be a superstar. I am generally shy to strangers as Bontle but my family and friends know me as bubbly and I treat them with love and respect because they are my backbone. They don’t treat me like I’m popular and I love that. As Buzzi Lee I take it as a job, and the shyness has to leave the scene. I have to exude the inner confidence I have. Many people look up to me and I have to teach them to be strong, be fierce and to be themselves fearlessly.
Kayibiza: Name five items that are in your handbag right now
Buzzi Lee: My music writing book, a pen, my purse, shades and makeup bag.
Kayibiza: What would you like to see change in the South African music industry?
Buzzi Lee: I’d love to see girls being more supported without all the expectations they place on us, like being sexy, being a certain body size or the way we rap. Allow people to create the way they feel is best and if it’s not your cup of tea, that’s ok. But don’t bash us for trying. Also to see more people guide girls instead of trying to take advantage of them first, which is often masked as helping them get somewhere in the game.
Kayibiza: If you were President for 72 hours what are some of the things you would change?
Buzzi Lee: I’d allocate more money to the arts industry and make it easier to make a living through the arts, if that’s your passion. I’d also have equal payments to both men and women for the same job title. It’s really not fair to have people do the exact same thing but women still earn less. Education would be free so that more people are encouraged to go to school and find the necessary skills to go open their own businesses and create more employment. I’d allocate the money needed to stop loadshedding and save the economy. I would also have an age limit to the people who are allowed to run the country. I believe young people have more reason to want to make the country a better place, as we have our whole lives ahead of us and have our future children in mind that they need a functioning country that can sustain future generations.
Kayibiza: Thank you for your time and sharing with us Buzzi Lee. All the best and Happy Women’s Month!
Buzzi Lee: Thank you for having me and Happy Women’s Month to all the beautiful and fierce women out there!