You'll always end up where you were meant to be.
Growing up in an eclectic environment that fostered creativity, Jujulipps was more than happy to help a producer friend with vocals on their newest track. COVID provided her the opportunity to take a look at what brings her joy, and she realised music was calling her name. We sat down with Jujulipps to learn about her journey and how she got to where she is today. Check it out.
How did this all start? Did you grow up loving music and singing? Was this always a dream for you?
I think my entire life, I was just surrounded by eclectic things: people who made music and people who were into drama. I grew up in South Africa, so there was always this rhythm around me. When I moved to New Zealand, I didn’t feel that there wasn't necessarily something pushing me to get into music. I just started playing around in Uni with a friend who was a producer trying to add vocals to their work. I remember having so much fun doing that compared to what I was studying. Then, during COVID, just after I graduated, I was trying to figure out where to go next and what I wanted to do with my life. I’d worked so many jobs, been to university, and thought, I’m clearly not loving this the way I should be. So, in reflection, I took myself back to the things I enjoyed doing, and that led me back into a music studio. And that’s ultimately where it started. I think COVID cultivated that because I was like, oh, I wanted to do it as a hobby before, but now I'm like, no, we're not doing it as a hobby, you're going all in.
Growing up, my parents were the polar opposites to me, but I think I was just in an environment that fostered individuality and just doing your own thing. I’ve always seen myself as a creative person, so if you had told my 12-year-old self where I’d end up, I think she’d be shocked but not surprised.
Who are your music inspirations/ people you look up to?
Nicki Minaj. I am a very, very big fan of who she is because of what she does and her artistry. I rapped her lyrics when I was 12 years old, and I'm still doing it now, and I'm 26. And I think that longevity is amazing. I also have a big respect for artists like Rico Nasty. She's an alternative artist, she just bends the rules in terms of what're supposed to do, and I absolutely love that. I don't have many more because I have a love for what they've done, but I feel I need to be my own inspiration in terms of what I do and follow. But those women definitely paved a real understanding for me. All these women are women of colour in a scene and time when there weren’t many, which really inspired me to feel like if they can do it, why can’t I.
What’s your favourite part of the song-making process?
Writing and performing are absolutely my favourite aspects. I think it's just such a beautiful process to write something from beginning to end. I think that until I started doing it for myself, I didn’t fully grasp that it really starts from nothing; you have to sit in a room and curate every part of it. For myself, I base all of my art and music on the things happening to me in the moment. My favourite quote, which I feel really sums up my process, is “Life imitates art far more than art imitates life” by Oscar Wilde. I cannot do what I do and put down lyrics on paper without it making sense to where I am in my life. I think finishing that process of writing and being able to perform it in front of people that relate creates a beautiful feeling to know that I have worked so hard to bring that to life and that people connect to it like I have.
Let’s talk about your Album, Superstar. What was your inspiration?
I think it's just a beautiful way to look back at a time in my life when I was working on this EP. I'm proud of this project because I was working a tiresome job whilst writing the tracks. And I would come into the studio at 10 am after finishing work at 5 am, with no sleep, and I had to get myself to a place where I could push through and be creative when everything felt so hard. I had to tell myself I could do this. I believe that if I can take on such a difficult task, nothing else will move my will to make music. I'll be very strong in that belief if I can juggle so many different things with it.
Nightshift is the first song on the album and talks about how I'm working this job and I'm seeing this vision of myself that I'm supposed to be, but that I'm clearly not there yet. The last song of the project is Free! It's about getting fired, which puts me in a place where I could focus on what I wanted to be doing. It was a very beautiful journey that played out over the whole album. I was lucky enough to work with WHO SHOT SCOTT on the production of this EP – who, funnily enough, I came across after listening to one of his tracks and I was like, whoever produced this, I must work with, because I just knew we could make something magic. I’m so thankful that was the case because we managed to develop a great friendship. I think he was amazing in facilitating a space where I was never scared or shy. It was an incredibly open space. If I wanted to come in and scream for four hours on the mic, I could, you know, and to have that space enhances the quality of the work and what is being put out.
So, to be here now, like I look back, and I'm like, whoa, not only was that a challenge in general, like financially trying to figure things out, but creatively. I feel like I am on another level where I know where I can take myself. I know where my mind can take me. It's a beautiful moment to look back at this project being out now and to see how it's being received by so many people, too.
What’s your process when it comes to music videos? Do you have an idea when writing the song, or does it go more with the flow?
I always get an idea when writing of what something could be, but I really struggle with putting pieces together. So, I think that's where collaborating comes in, and it is something that I enjoy doing. For example, on this project, I did two music videos. I worked with Night Watch, a female lead producer and a director duo, and to have people who believe in you that much and see your vision is incredible.
You won the Auckland Live Best Independent Debut Award for your EP, Get That Shot, congrats! Talk us through how that felt to win.
It’s such a crazy feeling. I struggle with being present in things. Like, I'll do all these things, go to three countries, do five shows here, five shows there, and I'm just going. That was a real moment to stop and take it all in. I needed that. I was not expecting that. I went into it, just going to enjoy it all. To even be nominated was crazy enough, let alone win. It was such a blur after they called my name; I didn’t even have a speech prepared or anything. I even forgot to mention the producer of that project, Abraham Kunin – eek, sorry about that again! I would say it’s one of the most surreal moments so far in my career, like everything I’ve been working so hard for and my dreams are finally coming true.
What do you have coming up that you can share with us?
Ooh, 2025, that’s crazy! I have some cool shows coming up in the South Island, which is so fun because I haven’t really had a chance to do much down there yet, especially given that I went to High School there, so it's trippy being back and performing. I spent a month and a half in China at the end of 2024, working with a talented producer called Icy and other incredible local artists, just making music with them, so that will hopefully be coming out this year. Watch this space!
What burger do you think you as a band or your music would be if it were on the BF menu?
The Bacon Backfire is just a classic.
What would your ideal BF burger contain?
Brioche bun, spicy mayo, spicy chicken breast, brie, tomatoes, lettuce, caramelised onion and roasted red peppers.
To round out an epic interview, we had to put Jujulipps through our quick-fire round.
What is your go-to song for Jam Out in the Car? I will always love you, Whitney Huston.
Who is your favourite artist at the moment? Doechii.
One thing you can’t perform without? My hair done.
One artist or band you would love to co-lab with? Bree Runway or Ashnikko
Go to BurgerFuel order. Bacon Backfire, Kumara Fries and L&P or Fanta
Fire or Backfire
Pickles in burgers - Backfire
Crocs - Backfire
Karaoke - Fire
BurgerFuel Aioli - Fire
Acoustic performances – Fire
NZ Music Month - Fire
Festivals - Fire
Singing in the shower - Fire
Pineapple on pizza - Fire
Supermarket in bare feet in NZ - Fire
Check out Jujuipps newest single, Night Shift ,Out now!
