Bebeluna

Name, where are you from?
BEBELUNA, Somali but born and raised in North London

Describe your style in three words?
Emo, Baggy, Turtleneck.

What’s the best gig you’ve ever been to?
Solange (A seat at the table performance). During a 14 hour shift at some food stall at a festival, I asked if I could see a Solange play which was approved.  I quickly put on a cap and a hoodie and ran as my feet burned. I made my way into the middle of the crowd and was just mesmerised start to finish. I cried like a baby. The performance inspired me visually and sonically, it filled me with so much hope and inspiration. I didn’t even know she was playing, and at the time her song, 'Mad' (featuring Lil Wayne) was on repeat.

If you could be on the line up with any two artists in history?
Funkadelic - because they’re my favourite band ever and changed my life in so many ways. Kari Faux - I would get to watch her perform and I feel like we’d get along backstage.

Which subcultures have influenced you?
Emo/grunge/punk subculture - I feel like this was the first official subculture I was a part of. I found a home in a group of people who listened to the same music as me, despised authority and wanted to dress outside of the norm. To this day this subculture influences my style and outlook on life, I told my mom at 13 that it wasn’t a phase, and it truly wasn't.
Cyberculture - I’ve been on the internet since it was a thing, in a weird way it feels like home. I hate to admit it but this is where most of my humour comes from. I spend far too much time on Reddit and Youtube. The overflow of information and images from the internet adds fuel to stand out in my creativity.
Queer culture - I was so lost as a human being, after going to queer events and night clubs, I met a whole community that became my family. Learning black queer history and really understanding who I am and how far my people have come. I’m so honoured to be around my queer siblings and witness the power they hold. This subculture has given me so much confidence and a really wholesome, REAL support network.

If you could spend an hour with anyone from history?
Eddie Hazel, guitarist of Funkadelic. He might be my favourite guitarist ever.
I would ask him to teach me as much as he could in thirty minutes, and then jam for the other thirty minutes.

Of all the venues you’ve been to or played, which is your favourite?
Corsica Studios. I was supporting Lava La Rue at a sold-out show. This was my first proper big boy gig, and I remember just feeling so energised by the crowd and feeling accomplished. Also, free booze is always a bonus.

Your greatest unsung hero or heroine in music?
Dur-Dur Band. Dopest Somali funk out there, and nearly no one outside of the Somali community knows about them. This is the purest music I’ve ever heard, man.

Bebeluna released their debut EP 'Ecdysis' in November 2020. You can listen to it on Spotify or watch it on YouTube. 

Watch exclusive Bebeluna performance at All Our Tomorrows Festival 2020. Find out more here.