Bairi Is In Control Of Her Destiny : Interview
Music is intended to move you. Whether it's emotionally or physically, there’s a force from the vibrations of sound that induces a reaction. Due to the pandemic, the joy of experiencing these vibrations live have been stripped away, which means both the artist and listener are receiving the short end of the stick. For many musicians, their income is driven from touring and merchandise, especially for independent artists. Now having to strictly depend on streams and album sales, artists are beginning to utilize Bandcamp a bit more. Bandcamp has been a useful platform for independent artists during the pandemic, offering 100% of song revenue to artists on “Bandcamp Friday.”
One Friday, while scrolling through Twitter, I came across Bairi, a NJ based singer, who released her single “Brat” strictly on Bandcamp for a limited time in efforts to raise money for her mother’s surgery to remove a tumor.
I gotta get to the bag, I’m on a roll
Not into setting the vibe, get in and go
Imma get mine, then maybe you can get yours
Nothing less & nothing more
So when you walk through that door
Bairi embodies R&B to its core, while still providing a refreshing tone that highlights her vocal contributions on tracks. There’s a sense of empowerment and confidence that exudes through her music. On “Brat,” produced by Naqui Macabroad, Bairi is taking control of herself right now while appreciating the journey of getting to the bag. During the pandemic, Bairi released a cover of “Pink + White” by Frank Ocean and also released a song titled “Medu$$A.”
I had the opportunity to chop it up with Bairi about music, the importance of being grounded and creative freedom.
Our conversation, lightly edited for content and clarity, follows below.
So, I became hip to your music after your release of “Brat,” which was originally only available on Bandcamp to raise funds for your mother’s surgery, can you tell me a bit more about that?
My mother told me about her tumor the day after I filmed the video for “Brat” and it threw things off for me because you don’t think things like that will happen until it does. Both my Mother and I were scared of the outcome and even more about the bills. My Mom has worked two jobs for the majority of my life. I woke up one day wanting to do more and felt my music could help. I just really believed I could do it for my Mom.
I think it's beautiful that you put your Mother first before the streams…
As much as I love streaming, they don’t pay bills! (chuckles) A few months ago, I dropped a project on DSP’s but I took it down and put it strictly on Bandcamp. I wanted to take a chance on myself and see if I could support myself through music.
When did you start releasing music?
I attended Purchase College in NY at the end of 2015. Initially, I was a literature major but that was before I realized I was attending an art school. At Purchase, everyone was doing what they love and expressed themselves through art. I shared a psych class with my friend Dave Langston, who is also a rapper. He invited me to work on music together and it just clicked from there.
When did you have your moment of clarity that releasing music was the main goal?
I worked a few internships that varied in fulfillment. I used to intern at a boutique label in the city but personally it was not doing much for me compared to an art mentorship I worked at in Peekskill with kids who had faced unfortunate circumstances at home. That experience felt more fulfilling compared to being a workhorse. I believe it was the idea of working a 9-5 that pushed me as well.
I love your flip to “Pink + White” by Frank Ocean, what inspired the flip?
Frank Ocean is one of the greatest artists of our time and Channel Orange is one of the most influential albums. “Pink + White” is one of my favorite songs. Quarantine was not just quarantine. Police brutality was at its highest and the Black Lives Matter movement was being recognized. I just hated seeing everyone go through so much pain. I participated in marches and signing petitions, but I felt like more from myself was needed. I felt the pressure of using my music to influence and make a difference.
I went to yoga one day and I kept thinking “kiss the earth that birth you,” and that same day, I started in the “Pink + White” cover. It took about four days to get it all together.
What’s your creative process like?
With writing, I don’t push myself to be inspired. I just let it come to me. But, with life, it comes in waves. Sometimes I feel I have to reflect on the past and be able to intellectualize it for other people. Another inspiration is the future, which is why I’ve been writing really optimistically… also, my spirituality.
Before the quarantine happened, I wasn’t in the best space. I was letting life take control of me and that was reflecting in my music. But, since the quarantine happened, I've slowed down. I moved to NJ and I’m in a creative space that has been such a blessing to me. A reset was necessary.
What inspired the track “Brat?”
I was really hustling and getting to the bag at the time but, I wasn’t as productive as I am now. I was working a cocktail waitress job, writing, and being mixy all in one. I was invited to perform at Baby’s Alright and met Naiqui Macabroad, the producer of Brat that same night. He sent me a beat pack a few days after the show and I was just sitting on it. My homie Zero McKenzi invited me to a session in Brooklyn, so I started going through my packs and came across Macabroad’s beats . I legit wrote that verse on the subway heading to the session.
Would you consider yourself a brat?
When I was younger, I would call myself an army brat. We weren’t relocating and stuff, but it was something I adopted. I’ve always been a princess since I'm the youngest in my immediate family… (ha) I feel I’ve earned the right to expect certain things in life and have a standard . But I can admit it, sometimes I am a brat.
Is your family supportive about your music?
My family has always been supportive. No one knew I was serious until I graduated from college and came home. My mom has always loved the fact that I was a singer, but the main conversation was “when will you get a job?” It would fuck with me a little, but there was always this gravatational pull that made me work on my music. My dad is really supportive even though he doesn’t understand it too well. (chuckles) But my mom is a bit more involved with all the planning.
What’s next?
I have a video for “Brat” that’s coming out with the homies. Planning more covers and more interviews… I have another single on the way and if all goes well, I’ll probably drop an EP.
What were the last three albums you listened to?
Gunna - WUNNA
Hanz- Praylude
Giveon - TAKE TIME
Stream Brat !
