Bassie has emerged as a prominent figure in Amapiano, enchanting audiences with poignant songs that explore themes of love, heartbreak, and the complexities of life. While fans celebrate her for her hit singles and remarkable collaborations, the 26-year-old artist, whose real name is Basetsana Maluleke, is also pursuing her passion for education.
In an open interview with Sowetan, Bassie discussed the challenges of balancing an expanding music career with her studies and practical teaching experience, sharing a glimpse into aspects of her life that many followers may not be familiar with.
When inquired about her identity outside of performing, Bassie chuckled before acknowledging her current state of fatigue. “Right now? She’s tired. I’m doing my teaching practicals, and I’m tired of waking up at 5am. For the past six weeks, it’s been teaching, sleeping, waking up early and doing it all over again,” she shared.
Despite her thriving music career, Bassie remains committed to completing her education. “Because [a career in] music is not guaranteed. I feel I might be the first person at home to graduate, which would be a nice achievement. Beyond that, I’ve always wanted a qualification because this industry can be unpredictable,” she stated.
She elaborated on the difficulty of managing both her music career and teaching responsibilities. “I don’t know if balance is the right word. It’s hard. My weekdays are spent teaching and preparing lessons. Then over the weekends I’m travelling for gigs.
Sometimes I’ll perform all weekend and then fly back on Monday morning and head straight to school. It’s not glamorous,” she explained.
Her educational experience has also imparted essential lessons. “Patience. I’m teaching grade 1 learners, so you have to find creative ways to keep them engaged. Their attention spans are very short,” she commented.
When discussing her future in education, she said, “Possibly. It all depends on where my music career goes, but I genuinely enjoy teaching and I like knowing that I have options.”
Addressing financial stability, she expressed her concerns, saying, “Being an artist is scary. You can make money for a few months, and then the next six months are quiet. Meanwhile, life doesn’t stop. Rent still needs to be paid. Medical aid still needs to be paid. Having another stream of income gives me peace of mind.”
Outside of her professional commitments, Bassie shared her recent interests. “I’ve recently started painting on canvas. They’re not very good right now, but we’re getting there. I also love cooking and trying out new recipes,” she said enthusiastically.
Bassie has recently released the track “Ngikhumbula” in collaboration with Soa Mattrix, noting it as one her favorite songs at the moment. “Ngikhumbula by Soa Mattrix and me.”
On the inspiration behind the song, she remarked, “It’s about missing a moment rather than missing a person. It’s looking back on a relationship and remembering how happy you were during that specific time. The honeymoon phase. The freedom.
The feeling of being in love. You’re not necessarily saying you want the person back. You’re just reminiscing.”
This collaboration highlights the seamless creative rapport she has with the producer. “It’s effortless. With Soa, I don’t even take 30 minutes to write a song. We sit down and talk, and somehow everything falls into place. We’re comfortable around each other and understand each other’s creative language.”
When discussing her sources of joy, Bassie stated, “Singing and writing. That’s where I process everything. My emotions, frustrations and experiences. Once I’ve written about something and sung it, it’s out of my system.”
Bassie identifies as a romantic and shared her thoughts on what fosters that sentiment. “I believe in people. I love people the way I want to be loved, and sometimes that gets me into trouble because not everyone loves the same way, but I don’t think I’ll ever stop believing in love.” She added, “I like a man who is kind to everyone around them.”
Regarding her ideal partner, she said, “Kind. Thoughtful. Generous. And not just towards me. I like people who are kind to everyone around them. I like a soft man.”
She also reflected on important lessons learned in her career. “The business side of music. I used to think royalties were just royalties. Then I realized there are different streams of income and different types of royalties. Artists need to ask questions and understand their business because this is our work and our property.”
Whether she’s inspiring young students in the classroom or captivating audiences on stage, Bassie exemplifies that it is possible to chase multiple dreams simultaneously.
