This week we spoke to the sexy singer from Botswana, Eva May.The former Big Brother contestant has just released her single, Ping Me, featuring Buffalo Souljah, and she has another two singles nearing release this month.
We chat to Eva to find out more about her career and exactly why this pop star is not letting fame or recent success get to her head.
Hi Eva, welcome to ZAlebs! How are you doing this week?
I’m great but I’m very tired as well. I got to bed at about 4am and I still had commitments at 7am so it’s been a tiring few days for me.
Big Brother Mzansi kicked off this week and we were at the launch. Do you ever feel nostalgic?
Sometimes I do, and sometimes not really. I watched the Big Brother Mzansi opening for 10minutes, but I had to travel afterwards so I missed the rest. With last year’s Big Brother Africa:The Chase, I watched a lot and kept up with it. You do get a little nostalgic remembering the house and where you used to chill.
Do you feel like your BB experience helped you get to where you are in the music industry?
I think to a certain extent it definitely did. The music industry is difficult to break into, especially for us females. Companies and record labels want some sort of reference they can associate you with, and Big Brother was mine. There are many people who are more deserving of my spot in the limelight, but I’m thankful that Big Brother pushed my career and I just want to do the best I can now that I’m here.
Let’s talk about Ping Me, how did it come about?
I was not familiar with West African sounds and West African music a few years ago. They played that kind of music a lot on Big Brother and I fell in love with it! After that when I was back into my music I got to do the collaboration with Buffalo Souljah. I didn’t want it to sound like too much of a western, poppy type of song. I wanted something that people can dance to. So I went to the African dance, reggae, dancehall type of track.
You’ve already got a follow up single, tell us a little more about it?
I’ve got one with a big African male artist that I’ve collaborated with! I can’t say too much, buthe’s very known, very popular and very celebrated. The other single we’re busy working on is a little more meaningful to women something they can relate to and I’m hoping it can send a message.
Can we expect to see a studio album in the near future?
I just wanna focus on making singles and building a bigger name for myself. The album will follow after that, but not in the near future.
At the moment can we see you at any gigs and shows?
I’ve only recently signed with a label so now, I’m hoping that, by God’s grace, something will happen. When I started, I was on my own and the only gigs I could land were in Botswana, and that helped. I’ve set my mark in Botswana, and I’m glad that I’ve got a good team behind me. My objective now is to move forward.
As a relative newcomer to the game, do you think management makes a massive difference to your chances of success as an upcoming artist?
The reality is that you need some sort of backing from people who know what they’re doing. Africans don’t really know what to do with their talent actually. How often do. With the right team it sort of like prolongs and extends your life cycle in the music
What advice do you have for the next Eva May?
My advice is mainly for females. It’s a hard industry, it’s a male disappointed industry. Just look at the Big Sean last weekend, there were no females on the line-up. It doesn’t matter how good you are or how much talent you have, people will come with their negative comments to get you down. The reality is we’re in Africa. I’m glad I didn’t take these comments to heart when I was coming up. Don’t let anyone discourage you, someone who doesn’t know your vision. Believe in your talent!
