A seasoned performer famed for his Sydney street knowledge, after a seven-year hiatus, hip hop artist Buda released 'Blackbelt Production' last year.
A member of pioneering Australian rap group Bad Reputation, William 'Buda' Almeida's three-plus decade career has also seen him support Ice Cube, Ice T and Run DMC.Originally from Brazil, it took COVID for Buda to return to the studio.
"I locked myself away and started writing music, partly because I was frustrated with not being able to play gigs in front of a live audience – which is what musicians thrive on – or train as I regularly do as a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Black Belt," Buda says, who produces, arranges and performs all of his own material.
Buda ended up with more than 30 new tracks fusing funk-driven guitars with rich Brazilian percussion.
'Blackbelt Production' is the introduction to this jazz-inflected and funk-directed catalog of dissertations.
Who is Buda? I've been performing since the age of seven. Musical Brazilian family that spans back three generations on both sides. Buda is my stage name. Black Belt Prod is the production house, which consists of myself and Stephen Cummins. Been going for just on 12 months.
We sound like... We like to think we don't really sound like anybody really. Mash up of a lot of different influences.
Our first gig is... Due to COVID, it's still coming but we are scheduled to do an online performance in February. We are also in negotiation with a new venue where we will be the house band, starting in March 2021.
When did you settle on the group's name, and was it a unanimous decision... Yes, pretty much myself. Due to my Brazilian background and BJJ (Brazilian Jiu Jitsu) background.
In the studio I usually... Improvise. We run Pro Tools and UAD Apollo so everything is spontaneous around the lyrics.
If I could tour with anyone... The Roots, Jessica Mauboy.
Social media is… A great marketing tool.
My favourite app at the moment is... YouTube. Get to see how many people are watching our video.
To date, my most embarrassing moment was the time... Losing my voice during a recording session.
Life on the road can be... Great if you structure it properly.
If you'll have me on your bill, all wI ask is that the rider contains... Vodka and Red Bull, coconut water, bowl of acai (organic) and weed.
The most scary scenario I've found myself in, was... No sound check before I played at Ministry of Sound (World DMC Finals) London.
What celebrity/ famous person would you love to be your spokesperson? Ummm interesting question. . . Any Victoria Secret female model. Do you really need to know why?
Three people you'd like to invite around for a dinner party? Any Victoria Secret models (female) just to look at them while eating dinner and crazy after party.
If we were coming over to your place, what would you cook us? Traditional Brazilian feijoada and bbq.
No matter the expense, send me a case of... Don Perignon.
The last time I saw the inside of a gym was... Ten minutes ago.
What's the one chore you dislike the most? Hanging out the washing.
Do you have any phobias? I can't handle smelly people.
Would you ever partake in a reality show? 'Big Brother', 'Ninja Warrior'.
If you could prank any of your friends, who's your target, and how are you bringing them down? Call my mate Mark and tell him that I screwed his girlfriend. Watch him freak out, lol!
