Artist profile - Jules Dugasse: ‘The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams’ |06 July 2017
Every week the Entertainment page will try to bring you a short profile on a Seychellois artist, be it in the performing, visual or other forms of arts.
In our 21st profile, readers will learn more about the talented entertainer Jules Dugasse AKA Pusso.
Pusso has become one of the most young talented singers, who has successfully incorporated his own style of music, mostly hip-hop.
He is also in the group Louis Gang, which is composed of four members -- JDA (Julian Basset), M.V (Mikael Vidot) and Ti Boss (Anil Bacco).
Their style intertwines an offbeat sensibility with a strong base in free styling, and other hip-hop staples. Many young artists are bringing back the hip-hop and R&B style in Seychelles.
The music industry in Seychelles is not dying; the old way of doing things is dying, just ask some of the upcoming new talents such as Pusso, who are changing the game and keeping the music biz alive and well.
Pusso is currently working on an album entitled ‘Zot Kri Mon King’ set to be on the market on August 5, 2017.
Q: Tell us more about the talented Pusso?
A: I am currently 21 years old, I went to Anse Etoile Primary School, then English River Secondary, and finished my studies at SIAD (Seychelles Institute of Art & Design) for a diploma. Since very young I enjoy music.
Q: When did you start your career as a singer?
A: It all started when I was in S5, during IGCSE exam. I know it’s unbelievable but I practiced my lyrics instead of my studies but I still aced my exams.
Q: Will you consider yourself a singer or entertainer, to which of those two can you relate more?
A: To be honest, I am none of the above. I consider myself an Artist; I express myself whether I am in the studio, on stage or in front of camera.
Q: What’s your motto or the advice you live by?
A: My motto is ‘The biggest adventure you can take is to live the life of your dreams’. I follow my dreams even though sometimes it gets hard.
Q: How do you overcome negative comments from among the society?
A: I feed on negative comments, it is the reason I got this far in my career. It is because I always do what people say I cannot do, and look at me now six years later.
Q: What hidden talents do you have?
A: I love practicing standup comedy; I have always wanted to do standup comedy. In my spare time I like also to practice dancing and martial arts discipline of Capeira. I am also a sculptor, painter.
Q: What are your musical inspirations?
A:My inspirations come from international artists such as Drake, Tory Lanez, Major Lazer, Migos, Marvin Gaye and The Beatles, and other music producers as myself such as Metro Boomin, Southside, among others. I listen to different styles of music, so I know the timing and difference which enables me to create my own style of music.
Q: Who inspired you to become a singer?
A: My cousin Nicholas Gallante played a huge role in what I am today. He is a Seychellois who lives in the UK and went number 1 on the UK top 40 chart in the early 2000, which made me so proud. He got a record deal and met the billionaire Richard Brandson. Such achievements remind me every day that nothing is impossible.
Q: Which ingredient do you think makes you special and unique as a musician?
A: I have no limit and no boundaries. I want music to evolve in Seychelles, and people are able to connect with my music especially the youths because I speak the truth. I know what they want, and I never give them what they want, I give them what they need. That’s what makes me unique.
Q: You are currently working on a new solo album?
A: Yes I am, it is a dancehall album, and I have been working on it since last year. I have incorporated different styles such as dancehall, R&B, urban dancehall, raga, among others. It will feature new artists such as JLS, Big One, Patience and some veterans such as Ras Ricky, Gunz, Ruben, Jazzlaton and Mercenary.
Compiled by U.J.