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13 Apr 2022 ///
Interviews /// Music

The Sensational Money Badoo

I recently found out Money Badoo (Jade Alves) is a Libra – and it all made absolute sense. Ruled by the planet of beauty and pleasure, Venus, many Libran’s pursue a path of total devotion to the ecstasy of the senses; driven by aestheticism and expression, all while balancing the scales of their conceptions of justice. Money is a Lady Libra in every sense of the term; wildly creative in her style, and fully committed to her highest manifestation as an artist, and with her recent participation in the GSPT (curated by Rarri to highlight and represent femmes in music), there is a purpose to her vision as a musician in South Africa. The magnetism on Money’s IG alone gives one the sense that she is always working – putting the visual aspects of her work equal to her music – offering her community and audience consistent doses of her kaleidoscopic relationship to fashion. Musically, Money writes her own lyrics and raps effortlessly over beats – and with her debut project PORN$TAR coming out soon, it seems to only be the initial chapters of her career – after a halt following the pandemic, Money has emerged strong and more determined than ever to reach for exactly what she wants. In speaking to Money, based in Johannesburg, I feel hopeful for a strong feminine presence in music and expression.

I know you have been writing music since you were 12 years old – when and how did you realise this was your purpose, and that it could become the career that you are creating today?

Only when I was 20 years old, a freak accident happened to me in 2015 and I couldn’t walk for almost a year, it changed my perspective on life and I vowed to go after every single thing that I wanted in life and in that process of becoming who I knew I was always meant to be, music sort of found me. 

 

You have been making waves in the music and fashion scene for a number of years now – how has your sound and style in both these spaces evolved, and do they influence each other?

Yes, fashion found me first, I knew it was going to be a part of my life forever because I was always so passionate about it, so I think anything I do, fashion will be a part of it. It’s really just who I am. I love dressing up, I love being able to express myself, I feel like it’s my armour. Music & fashion are like sisters, they’ve always co-existed with one another & for me, it’s been really exciting to be able to creatively let both my love for fashion and music become sort of a vessel for the way I tell the story of who I am and who I want to be to the world. 

 

How has the last few years of the pandemic affected your process as an artist?

It was really difficult to not feel like my entire plan and career wasn’t ruined by the pandemic, to feel like it would take years before I could, if ever get onto a stage and perform again. The uncertainty was horrible but I kept going, we all did. Music is my happy place, where I can just spew what’s on my mind & heart without feeling judged or taking in any opinions of the world. Once I got past the reality of the pandemic and focused on the art, focused on just making my art. It helped me a lot. I got back to where it all started for me; just a pure love for making music & so in a way, I’m grateful that I’ve faced obstacles that in return made me stronger & I know now I can face anything that comes my way. 

 

It feels like self-expression is the cornerstone of what you do under the moniker “Money Badoo” – where does the name originate from, and is Money Badoo an extension of who you are or is she a character you can step into to differentiate from yourself? 

I mean the name Money was something my friends started calling me before the music, and Badoo I added as a way to pay homage to one of my favourite musicians, Erykah Badu.. obviously with a twist! I like to think of myself as sort of Peter Parker & Spiderman. So I guess it’s both an extension of who I am and a character that I step into.

Can you talk a bit about your relationship to colour? It’s so compelling in all you do – from your looks, to your productions and editorials. It feels personal and so vivid.

I love textures, shapes and colours, I sometimes find myself going through phases of colours like with my hair which I think we all do, in a way textures, shapes and colours make up how I see fashion, and maybe in some ways, I can say that colour makes me feel safe and seen. 

 

How are you feeling about the music industry in South Africa? 

I am excited! I see so much more female representation happening, and I feel like there’s a new industry of noisemakers unfolding and it’s very exciting to witness and be a part of. 

 

What is the year ahead looking for you in 2022?

Crazy! Finally dropping a catalog of work, my debut project called PORN$TAR & it really feels like the beginning of an era for me. So I’m feeling like this year is going to be a good one. I’ve put in so much hard work & I’ve not only been resilient but very patient with my craft, I’m ready to reap what I’ve sown.

Written by: Holly Bell Beaton

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