Proud Radio host Hattie Collins is joined by South African pop superstar Baby Queen to discuss her debut album ‘Quarter Life Crisis, having Courtney Love as a superman, returning to South Africa after five years and coming to terms with her sexuality.
Baby Queen on the support received from Courtney Love following the release of new album ‘Quarter Life Crisis’…
Everyone's been really lovely. I've had the full rundown from Courtney Love per track. She's just really supportive, and she likes to tell me which ones she doesn't like. And then, you can tell which ones she's going to like. She loves the second track ‘Kid Genius’. And then, this song called ‘Every Time I Get High’, which have a rock energy to them. And they're very empowered. And she loves Baby Queen. Everyone's been amazing and really supportive.
Baby Queen on moving to London and spending time back in South Africa for the first time in five years…
It was this guilt that I had for a really long time that I think was just sitting deep inside of me. And I was turning my back on it and trying not to feel those feelings. But after I finished the album, I actually went back to South Africa for the first time in five years. My parents had sold our house because they split up. And so, it was this really weird experience of going back to the place you're from, but it's completely different. There's nothing there for me, and I'm just so happy that I did it. I feel a lot better now, I think.
Baby Queen on coming to terms with her sexuality and finding peace within that…
When I probably first spoke to you, I was probably scared about my sexuality. I was like that until maybe a year ago. And it's been this long road of slowly accepting myself a little bit more, accepting myself a little bit more, accepting myself... And once you completely accept and love yourself for who you are, it's very difficult to keep lying or not be honest about it because you've got nothing to be ashamed of yourself.
Baby Queen on having started writing the next album and exploring what it will sound like…
I've started writing. I'm trying to find the sound. It's just creating music for my own enjoyment and for my own ear. And making this album Quarter Life Crisis was so difficult, and I really struggled with it because there was so much noise in my head. I was just hearing everyone else the whole time, and it was very hard to trust my instinct. And I think the confidence that I have from finishing this album is making me want to trust myself more and follow what is really inspiring me and what is exciting me because I think that's what I did when I first started all of this. It was just me, in my bedroom, following what sounded good to my ears. I really want to find a unique sonic palette. I think it's time for something new, and I just need to figure out what that sounds like.
Baby Queen on the support received from Courtney Love following the release of new album ‘Quarter Life Crisis’…
Everyone's been really lovely. I've had the full rundown from Courtney Love per track. She's just really supportive, and she likes to tell me which ones she doesn't like. And then, you can tell which ones she's going to like. She loves the second track ‘Kid Genius’. And then, this song called ‘Every Time I Get High’, which have a rock energy to them. And they're very empowered. And she loves Baby Queen. Everyone's been amazing and really supportive.
Baby Queen on moving to London and spending time back in South Africa for the first time in five years…
It was this guilt that I had for a really long time that I think was just sitting deep inside of me. And I was turning my back on it and trying not to feel those feelings. But after I finished the album, I actually went back to South Africa for the first time in five years. My parents had sold our house because they split up. And so, it was this really weird experience of going back to the place you're from, but it's completely different. There's nothing there for me, and I'm just so happy that I did it. I feel a lot better now, I think.
Baby Queen on coming to terms with her sexuality and finding peace within that…
When I probably first spoke to you, I was probably scared about my sexuality. I was like that until maybe a year ago. And it's been this long road of slowly accepting myself a little bit more, accepting myself a little bit more, accepting myself... And once you completely accept and love yourself for who you are, it's very difficult to keep lying or not be honest about it because you've got nothing to be ashamed of yourself.
Baby Queen on having started writing the next album and exploring what it will sound like…
I've started writing. I'm trying to find the sound. It's just creating music for my own enjoyment and for my own ear. And making this album Quarter Life Crisis was so difficult, and I really struggled with it because there was so much noise in my head. I was just hearing everyone else the whole time, and it was very hard to trust my instinct. And I think the confidence that I have from finishing this album is making me want to trust myself more and follow what is really inspiring me and what is exciting me because I think that's what I did when I first started all of this. It was just me, in my bedroom, following what sounded good to my ears. I really want to find a unique sonic palette. I think it's time for something new, and I just need to figure out what that sounds like.
