Michelle
Bermuda’s Collie Buddz debuts first self-produced album tonight at Belly Up Aspen.
Born Colin Harper, Buddz rose to prominence in the early to mid-2000s, with hits like “Come Around” and “Mamacita.” But his third and latest studio album, released in May, reveals a different side to the reggae-dancehall artist.True to its name, Buddz describes “Hybrid” as a “mix of everything — a little bit of dancehall, Afrobeat, afro-pop, some trap-style beats” — and, of course, reggae.
Buddz also pointed to the weed connotation of the album title, which is on-brand for an artist whose own name is a reference to marijuana.
But Buddz said he isn’t smoking as much weed these days, in part because of fatherhood and also the fact that strains today aren’t what they used to be (they are significantly stronger).
“I’ve cut back a lot since kids, to be honest,” Buddz said. “My tolerance is pretty shitty now.”
Buddz and his wife, Zarah DeSilva, have three children together: Sienna, 9, Roman, 6, and Izzy, who is seven months old. He added that he and DeSilva “might have another.”
“Fatherhood is amazing,” Buddz said, noting that being on tour can present its challenges.
On the off-chance that Buddz isn’t singing, producing, on tour or with his family, the Bermudian artist enjoys fishing or playing a few rounds of golf with his buddies and beers in hand.
Asked where he seeks inspiration for his music, Buddz said: “I think just being home in Bermuda is inspiration.”
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