Pookie was raised on an eclectic diet of Hip-Hop, R&B, Soul/Funk, and Dancehall, and in her music, she explores the many facets and themes of Hip-Hop and R&B. She's full of zealous energy that she pours straight into her production and performances. An East African woman with an Australian upbringing, she expertly intertwines lyrics that bring equality to the spotlight with a rhythmic concoction of Hip-Hop, Soul, Funk, Dancehall and Pop.
We got to know her a little better, chatting about her experiences at Box Hill Institute and her thoughts on sustainability.
It wasn’t long into her producing journey that Pookie made a commitment to herself and her music, she says, “I got into producing just over a year ago. Not long after, I decided that the only way I was going to learn how to be a producer to the best of my abilities, would be to dedicate myself to my craft. Box Hill Institute (BHI) was offering Australia’s first accredited Hip-Hop Diploma at the time.” She delved into this course, taking on the challenge and found herself rewarded with a wealth of knowledge, “It equipped me to now be able to manoeuvre my way around not only this Bachelor of Applied Music Degree, but the music industry itself. After having spent a year at BHI, I can confidently say that I have grown significantly as a producer, songwriter, performer, and business woman.”
Pookie says that BHI has expanded her opportunities not only through the education it offers, but through her peers and the students around her, “One of my favourite things about BHI is that collaboration comes easy here. Everyone wants to explore something new to expand their selves and so there’s a huge sense of openness throughout the institute.”
Whether working solo or collaborating with people she’s met at Box Hill Institute, her music and lyrics reflect her thoughts and feelings from that moment in time. She’s not afraid to change her tune depending on her current mood, she says, “I like what I like when I like it. Essentially, this means is that my music is more often than not a product of my state of mind/being when I create it. Think of my music as a mood ring.” This means that what she produces covers a wide range of genres from Hip-Hop to Soul to Pop, and a wide range of themes often centred in equality.
In terms of sustainability, Pookie is most interested an often overlooked but essential part of sustainability, the people aspect. She says, “An area that holds my attention is social sustainability. As humans, we sometimes struggle to allow ourselves to be open to new ideals and to question the system beliefs and values we’re conditioned to accept.” Breaking down societal barriers and caring for all people in our society is something that we also value at Sustainable Salons. Pookie says, “We need to encourage each other to take responsibility for how our ideals impact those around us.” Whether that impact is falling on people or the planet, these are words to stand by!
Join us on May 27th for The S Event Upcycled and let yourself be taken away by Pookie’s beats!
Buy your tickets HERE.
Members, use points to purchase your tickets HERE.
