Diandra Interviews Nicole Bus: Music And Love Are Everything
Nicole Bus is so talented. Her voice and lyrics emanate that Love is a universal force, which is not surprising considering she is such an openly, spiritual person. In a world that may sing to love, Nicole, actually, want to be LOVE, which is her interview feels so light and joyous. In it, we discuss, everything from the 90’s to Church and Black Love, as inspirers for her artistry.
Diandra: How did growing up in the church, teach you about your voice and performance? Do you have a favorite childhood memory of music there?
Nicole Bus: As a young child, I was part of this children’s choir; it was an evangelic, Caribbean church. Even though in the 90’s, the church culture was very strict, when it came to secular influences, what made this church fun is that it used melodies from secular songs and made them gospel songs. They were one of the first to do so and as child that made it only more fun because you would hear the original songs on the radio. The church taught me to surrender to the spirit and use music as a carrier to do so. This helped me to translate my emotions into my voice.
Nicole Bus – Rain (Official Video)
Diandra: You are a big believer in prayer. What is one prayer of yours that you have seen come true and proved its power to you?
Nicole Bus: I remember that I prayed for friendship and real people around me. In just a fraction of time, all my “so-called-friends” were removed and only two real friends, that are with me to this day, remained. In that moment I understood that asking for true friendship seemed so small, but was one of the best things I could have asked for.
Diandra: You are a firm believer in God. If you could make God a mixtape say “You will love these songs!” which tracks would you include?
Nicole Bus: Sade “Your Love Is King”
Alpha Blondy – “Jerusalem”
Ms. Lauryn Hill – “To Zion”
Nicole Bus – “Comfort Me”
Bob Marley – “Is This Love”
Diandra: How has being signed to Roc Nation grown your approach to music and what you are capable of as an artist?
Nicole Bus: Roc Nation is known to bring forth quality and hardworking artists that strive to be the best they can be. I always worked hard, and I feel extra motivated to work even harder to achieve the vision and mission.
Nicole Bus – You
Diandra: As a singer to love, how would define Love as an entity, and Black Love as an energy?
Nicole Bus: God is love and when it comes to black love, as a virtue, I say that it’s beautiful, it’s strong, and it’s still in development to regain its strength and identity. To be part of the generation that contributes to that healing process is just an amazing experience.
Diandra: Being such a mindful person, what has music taught you about yourself and what you can offer the world through a song?
Nicole Bus: That you must be patient, transparent, true, and own who you are. The process to obtain those skills and fruits are the lessons that can inspire the listener.
Diandra: Becoming an international singer, what is the hardest and most exciting part about entering a new market as an artist?
Nicole Bus: The hardest part is learning the new culture, but it’s the most exciting part, as well. There is a universal language and even though every place has its rules and regulations, people understand music and love everywhere. You can hardly go wrong with that.
Diandra: Being from the CD era, what are a few CD’s you scratched from how much you played them?
Nicole Bus: Alicia Keys Unplugged. That DVD refused to play after being played on repeat for months. Every day I would come out of high school and I would use the PlayStation 2 to play the DVD of Alicia Keys Unplugged and I would play the piano like I was part of the performance.
At a certain point the DVD just stopped… that was a sad day, RIP DVD.
Diandra: Being so inspired by the 90’s, what are your fave, pop culture phenomenas from the era? Books? Films? Music? Fashion? Art?
Nicole Bus: My favorite movie from that time is the ‘Matrix.’ What an epic movie – it still is. ‘Coming To America’ is also one of the most epic movies ever made.
My Tamagotchi and the games you would play outside is so quickly digitalized in just one generation. I was a skater on the half pipe. I loved that I don’t feel those same vibes as much as I did back in the day.
Diandra: How or what about your life do you feel is currently in Kairos?
Nicole Bus: Everything. Being offered such a big platform makes you realize that everything is an opportunity to shine Gods love and joy to the world. It made me conscious of all the blessings that are happening around me and I learned that Kairos demands us to be present in the now and that’s one of the greatest lessons I’ve learned.
Diandra: With your upcoming tour being called Rise & Shine, what makes you rise and shine every day?
Nicole Bus: God… Love is the reason of it all.
For More Information On Nicole Bus And To Check Out Her February 28 show at S.O.B’s Click Here.
