New York-born songwriter Aisha Badru has just released her new single ‘Bridges’ she says “Bridges” explores the unwavering persistence it takes to traverse the many obstacles that may appear in even the most picturesque romantic relationships. Often times, the biggest obstacles are ourselves.”
“Bridges” serves as the lead single on Aisha Badru’s forthcoming debut album due early 2018 via Nettwerk Music Group. The album will also feature “Mind on Fire,” which since its release, has racked up over 5 million streams on Spotify and been featured across some major playlists. She self-released her debut EP Vacancy in 2015, and soon caught the attention of the ad world when “Waiting Around” was selected for a Volkswagen viral campaign. Outside of music, Aisha is dedicated to philanthropy. Earlier this month, she traveled to Bali, Indonesia to donate a portion of the income she received from her Volkswagen commercial to rebuild a home for a local poverty-stricken family.
We sent Badru 20 questions which she has kindly fielded below:
Where are you and what’s the weather like?
I’m currently at my mother’s apartment in Yonkers, New York and the weather is pretty cold. But not as cold as you would normally expect NY to be this time of year. Global warming?
What’s your favourite record in the charts?
‘Perfect’ by Ed Sheeran, duh.
What are your favourite films?
Life of Pi, Their Eyes Were Watching God, Gattaca…. to name a few.
What is your favourite book?
‘Infinite Love Is The Only Truth Everything Else Is Illusion’ by David Icke
What are your favourite TV programmes?
Breaking Bad, Lost (excluding the 6th season), Shark Tank, This Is Us.
What was the first record you bought and where did you buy it from?
Ah! I don’t remember. I’ve never been big on buying records.
Do you believe in God?
Someone sitting in sky judging us?
No. But, I do believe in a creator. The universe is perfectly designed to support life and nature is governed by patterns and mathematics. We seemingly have a intelligent origin. Perhaps we are far beyond into the future than we know and we are living in a virtual reality program where we purposely designed it so that we would forget that we are within the program, so that we can re-discover how powerful and capable we all truly are once we stop believing we are victims of a random universe.
Who are your idols?
I don’t have any idols, but I really look up to Rob Greenfield. He’s an environmental activist who does a lot of bold things to grab the attention of people to raise their awareness about how they are contributing to the deterioration of the earth and how they can make a positive change.
Do you have any pets?
I had a cat since the 5th grade. Her name was Sheena and unfortunately she passed away last year due to cancer. Miss her!
Who would you want to play you in the film of your life?
The girl from the Black Mirror episode, ‘Black Museum”, would be a good fit. She did a great job at being soft and unassuming in the beginning of the episode and then towards the end of the episode her strength, wit, and feistiness surprised the audience.
Vinyl, CD, Download or stream?
Album download (after paying for it, of course). I am a fan of the convenience that comes with the advancement of technology.
Tell us about your latest album?
My forthcoming album, ‘Pendulum’, is a compilation of songs that I’ve written within the past 3 years of my life. Within those three years I’ve discovered that we are all constantly swinging between light and dark.. good and bad; our entire lives are based off of this concept of duality and I’ve began to embrace the complete spectrum of life. Every song has elements of both sides of the pole.
Who would be your dream collaboration?
Ed Sheeran because everything he touches turns to gold. And honestly I love how his music is so relatable to people all over the world. I hope to be able to touch people in that way on a large scale.
When was the last time you cried?
Today, actually. Sometimes it is hard for me to process the state of the world. I just returned from India and it is so different than the United States in many ways that are saddening and it’s weird to go from one extreme to another.
What’s the best cover version you have ever heard?
Aurora – Half The World Away
What’s the strangest thing that has ever happened at one of your own gigs?
The fact that I’m brave enough to get on stage is strange. I used to have incredible stage fright so it’s still a little unbelievable that I actually mustered up the courage to play my music in front of a crowd.
Have you ever been starstruck?
I don’t think I’ve ever really encountered anyone really famous. But I always find it very exciting when I see someone that I’ve seen on television.
What is your culinary speciality?
Currently mastering the art of fruit smoothies.
The Royal Family: should they stay or should they go?
Royal anything needs to go. Class and separation has historically been the root to many social issues around the world
If you could change one law, what would it be?
There is a law in several states in the U.S. that makes it illegal to collect rainwater. A government that blocks people from independently fulfilling their basic needs is a shady government.
