Introducing Bambam The Voodoo Chi7d: Lansing’s Musical Maverick

Introducing Bambam The Voodoo Chi7d: Lansing’s Musical Maverick

Residing in the vibrant city of Lansing, Michigan, Bambam The Voodoo Chi7d has emerged as a singular force in the music scene. Formerly known for his role in “The Suicide Saints,” Bambam has since embarked on a solo journey, carving out a path uniquely his own. With his distinctive sound and magnetic stage presence, he’s not just thriving – he’s setting the scene on fire.

His latest endeavor, the album “Dead Body Pimpin’,” stands as a testament to his evolution as an artist. Fusing elements of rock, hip-hop, and the occult, Bambam delivers a sonic experience that’s as bold as it is captivating. Each track pulses with raw energy, inviting listeners to dive headfirst into his world of mystique and mayhem.

But Bambam’s artistic journey doesn’t stop there. Accompanying the release of “Dead Body Pimpin'” is his latest music video, “Selenophile Serenade,” a visual feast that promises to push boundaries and defy expectations. With his signature flair and unapologetic style, Bambam invites viewers on a journey through the shadows, where darkness and light collide in a whirlwind of sound and imagery.

As anticipation builds for his latest release, we sit down with Bambam The Voodoo Chi7d to delve deeper into his creative process, the inspiration behind his music, and the impact he continues to make in the realm of music and beyond. Join us as we unravel the layers of Lansing’s musical maverick and discover the magic behind the name.

We are honored to have BAMbam The Voodoo Chi7d with us today, ready to offer insights into his captivating world of music and mystique. As we embark on this journey of discovery, we extend our heartfelt gratitude to BAMbam for joining us and sharing his unique perspective. With his presence, we’re poised to unravel the enigma behind the name and delve into the depths of his creative process. Welcome, BAMbam – let’s dive in.

Questions:

Rox-Tv: Firstly, thank you for joining us, BAMbam. Your latest album, “Dead Body Pimpin’,” has been making waves in the music scene. Can you share with us the inspiration behind the album, and what message or feeling do you hope listeners take away from it?

BAMbam: “Dead Body Pimpin'” was my real return to the solo world after a long hiatus focusing mostly on group projects. It was originally intended on being a short EP. After the group split I had a slot I needed to perform and felt I needed new music for it, so I started writing. But with the amount of anger and frustration I was feeling during that time it quickly evolved into an LP. I wrote and recorded the entire project in about a month. And it’s basically a new chapter into who I was before that group was ever a thing, and a new awakening in many ways.

Rox-Tv: The music video accompanying your song “Selenophile Serenade” is visually stunning and carries a strong narrative. What was the creative process like behind the making of the video, and how do you feel “Selenophile Serenade” complements the themes explored in your music?

BAMbam: “Selenophile Serenade” is actually a concept for a song I’ve had since middle school. Way back then, on a shitty cassette recorder I had written and recorded a song called “I love a Vampire”. It was a very similar storyline, just not based in Lansing because I wasn’t here yet. And 15 plus years later that song still haunted my head as something that I needed to actually make real. So when I was in the process of finding beats for “Dead Body Pimpin'” I came across one specific beat by LethalNeedle. A beat that as soon as I heard it, I knew it was time for that song to truly come to life. This song being an example of one of my favorite things to do in music, paint out a wonderful horror story. So when the time came for a video it was obvious to me this would be a great choice to start with. We gathered my wife and a couple friends and made magic with the homies at Rox-TV. And stayed true to the story here in Lansing, right along Kalamazoo. I feel like the locals will really appreciate that.

Rox-Tv: Your transition from being part of “The Suicide Saints” to establishing yourself as a solo artist has been remarkable. How has this shift impacted your approach to creating music, and what newfound freedoms or challenges have you encountered along the way?

BAMbam: Ending the Saints has honestly been one of the greatest creative decisions of my career. For a long time while we were doing that I was stuck in the mind state of making sure I was doing music that also worked with my partner, and following the whole Saint storyline. It kept things more in a box, I couldn’t as much let my mind go in any direction it wanted because that wouldn’t always work. I’m not here to publicly bash or anything, but I will say when I was doing 90% of the work for a group I was supposed to have help with, it became extremely tiring. So that made the transition that much easier, because I already was doing the majority of the mixing, mastering, engineering, art, promo, video work, etc etc so not much changed there. Besides the fact that now I don’t have to be concerned with anyone else being on board. And since this transition I’ve been playing new venues, new states, meeting all kinds of new people. I feel like my music is much better, and I’ve developed a whole new fan base of beautiful faces that love watching me say outlandish things. It’s amazing. And I still have my family from the Saint Army at my back, because at the end of the day my issues only lie with one person, my love for our supporters is undying.

Rox-Tv: Your stage presence is electrifying, drawing audiences into your world with every performance. How do you channel your energy and persona onto the stage, and what do you hope fans experience during your live shows?

BAMbam: I have a very love/hate relationship with the stage, and I think that shows a lot. Especially for people who know me more personally. I have EXTREME social anxiety. Strangers freak me out. If you’ve ever ran into me at a show and I don’t know you I’ve probably given the most cut and paste answers to everything, or just said something outlandish… or about the weather. A stranger talks to me and I’m like a deer in the headlights and don’t know what the fuck to do. So going to shows is a near panic attack each and every time. But that panic attack has become a high. Especially when I hit the stage, and there’s nothing else like it. I have blacked out on stage, there are some sets I don’t even remember doing. I basically have a controlled panic attack if that makes sense. And for me, that’s almost as therapeutic as mushrooms. I get off the stage and everything feels lighter like I just had a breakthrough with the shrink. For people who are fans of me losing my shit on songs, I feel like they’ve come to expect that. People know when I step on stage it’s gonna be an experience. And it’ll never be the same twice because it all depends on where the mental problems take me. Also, I make a new set for every single show, so even if you catch every one of them you’ll always be in for something different.

Rox-Tv: Your moniker, BAMbam The Voodoo Chi7d, carries a sense of mystique and intrigue. Can you tell us the story behind the name, and how it reflects your identity as an artist and why?

BAMbam: Originally, the BAMbam piece is a nod to the Flintstones. Growing up I always been that crazy kid that would chase a motherfucker down with a club if I felt it needed to be done. But it changed over time. I think at one point my step dad even jokingly called me “Bam Bam” as a kid and it just stuck. Back in early middle school days as a young Juggalo, it was Bam Bam the Clown. Over time I saw a lot of people named “Bam Bam” so I wanted to make it more unique, but also keep to what everyone is already calling me, so I combined the “Bams” and switched the spelling up to BAMbam, then by the time I was in highschool decided to drop “the Clown”.

The “Voodoo Chi7d” addition came around 10th or 11th grade, but really stuck when I lived with my foster mom. She was an old school hippie to give a little context as a person. Snuck off to Woodstock at 16 type of hippie, was out protesting for rights, an amazing woman. May she RIP. But when I was explaining to her the kind of music I do and describing acid rap she said basically it’s the Jimi Hendrix of hip hop in her eyes. And I loved the sound of that. That going along with hearing TNT and Esham mention being a voodoo child, then certain dark crafts I may or may not have dabbled/still dabble with, so it felt like a triple entendre almost. Oh, and the 7 in Voodoo Chi7d is an obvious nod to the logo you can trace me representing since middle school, the 7 Point star. An homage to the first non blood family I had.

Rox-Tv: Lansing, Michigan, has been home to your musical journey. How has your environment influenced your sound and style, and what aspects of the local scene do you find most inspiring?

BAMbam: Lansing has definitely been the homebase now for about 6 years, and I absolutely love this city. My wife and I talk about all the time how the only things it’s really missing are weed bars and abandoned places to explore. Just walking or driving the streets at night build so much inspiration. I write out stories in my head just in my day to day life here. If you listen through my music since “Dead Body Pimpin'” dropped you’ll definitely have a better connection if you know these areas. Since I’ve also dropped a Halloween EP “pumkinbucketSTUFFEDwitgutz” and a Christmas EP “Happy Birthday, Jesus” that are PACKED with Lansing references. I even have a full LP dropping later this year entirely dedicated to this area. I haven’t publicly dropped the name yet, but fuck it I love you guys so I’m doing it here. “The REO Town Ripper” is currently in the mixing stage and finish up stage. I got the homie KD the Stranger working magic out in the Ukraine for this one. I got mad love for this city, and it’s one reason I’ve been all over but don’t see myself leaving here soon. I started this shit in Canada. My first show was a mini-Gathering in Hamilton, Ontario and I did a few shows up that way before I ever came to the US. But when I hit Detroit it was a game changer. I left the area for a while, have done shit in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Ohio, Indiana, probably more I’m too much of a high-on to remember, but Michigan has always felt like home

Rox-Tv: Looking ahead, what can fans expect from BAMbam The Voodoo Chi7d in the coming months? Are there any upcoming projects or collaborations on the horizon that you’re particularly excited about?

BAMbam: Well, you now know about “The REO Town Ripper”, which will still be some time away. I’m making sure this shit is perfect. KD, ORIVX (ORIAS), and Yedva all made some AMAZING beats for it, and although I have a lot going on, that right there is about to be my biggest ritual ever probably. At least so far. That being said, I’m currently finishing up an EP to drop this month that’s been delayed currently with life happening. But just a few smoker tracks that you will see pop up very soon called “Late Night Smoke Ride”. Also since last year my brother Midnyte and I have been finishing up “The Clussy” EP. Legit a whole project about clown chicks and it is phenomenal. Everyone likes clown chicks right? They’re sexy as fuck. I’m also working on yet another LP that already has some features back from my homies KING NYNE and Dope Da Vinci. And I’ll probably have more people jump on. I don’t do many collabs, but I wanna involve my people in something. My brother Big Sherm also just released his first single from his upcoming project featuring myself, Zitro, and Puppet Master. Shit is a banger. Also I got some collabs with my boy Cartoon Bondurant that are dropping soon. I’m not sure what details I can give, but they are dope. I do too much at once but I’m stoked about it all. This is why my wifey keeps telling me to calm down.

Rox-Tv: Lastly, in a rapidly evolving music industry, what advice would you offer to aspiring artists who are striving to carve out their own path and make a lasting impact in the world of music?

BAMbam: That’s a really tough question for me, because honestly I don’t know what the fuck I’m doing the majority of the time in this, but I will give the advice in what I do. Be real to yourself. Do what you actually enjoy doing, not just what will see numbers. Statistically, someone out there is gonna rock with it, and it will expand from there. If you’re only doing this for money it will become transparent and you will become irrelevant. Fuck pay to play shows. If you have to pay to perform and get no benefits besides sharing a stage with someone, it doesn’t make you look good these days. Anyone with a check can open for and collab with huge names, and the fans are aware of this. Don’t treat your fan base like fucking idiots thinking you have clout when they are well aware you paid for it. Use that money to get them some dope merch or do something for yourself. That money you paid for a slot with a coked out sound guy and a crowd that doesn’t remember your name could have been used for a dope video from the homies here at Rox-TV, or some beats, studio time or equipment, so many better things than just trying to add to a bullshit resume no one cares about. Make fresh product, fuck clout. Artists, stop paying these promoters and not seeing shit for it. Rise up like an Underground Teaparty and bring it back to what it should be. Much love and 7 Shinez all day!

In this exclusive interview with Bambam The Voodoo Chi7d, we’ve delved deep into the creative mind behind the enigmatic persona. From the genesis of his latest album “Dead Body Pimpin'” to the haunting narrative of his music video for “Selenophile Serenade,” Bambam takes us on a journey through his artistic evolution and inspirations. His transition from group projects to a solo career has unleashed a newfound freedom in his music, allowing him to explore themes and stories that resonate deeply with his audience. Despite battling social anxiety, Bambam’s electrifying stage presence continues to captivate audiences, offering a glimpse into the complex psyche of an artist driven by raw emotion and unbridled creativity.

As Bambam reflects on his roots in Lansing, Michigan, it’s clear that his environment plays a pivotal role in shaping his sound and style. With upcoming projects like “The REO Town Ripper” and collaborations with fellow artists, Bambam remains committed to pushing the boundaries of his craft while staying true to his roots. His advice for aspiring artists is simple yet profound: stay true to yourself, create authentic art, and reject the allure of superficial clout. In an industry that often prioritizes trends over substance, Bambam’s message is a refreshing reminder of the power of authenticity in music. As we eagerly anticipate his future endeavors, one thing is certain – Bambam The Voodoo Chi7d is an artist on a mission to make a lasting impact in the world of music, one electrifying performance at a time.