Producer Spotlight: Kuchicola
Kuchicola (born Nicola Charmaine Granger) is a neo-soul, RnB, and jazz fusion artist taking the South African music scene by storm. The 26-year-old Zimbabwean-British artist based in Johannesburg has made quite an impression as she emerges on the scene as a producer, singer and songwriter.
The name Kuchicola, created by combining “kuchikoo” a childhood nickname with the artist’s own name, Nicola; has sounded itself prolific, garnering thousands of views and streams on her Youtube channel, and other music streaming sites.
Kuchicola’s introduction to the world of producing was one of a self-sufficient and motivated nature: “Honestly, I learned how to produce because I was tired of men. Hear me out, I’m not a misandrist, I love the good man but I got tired of lines being crossed and feeling like my talent won’t be recognized or acknowledged because all that I’m seen as is [a sexual pursuit]”
Kuchicola’s motivation to spearhead the producing industry as a woman saw her learning basic skills at Boston’s Soul Candi Programme, and progressed for the purpose solely to “be able to map out ideas and express [her] sound….quickly realizing that [she] could do it on [her] own”.
Although Kuchicola has only been producing since 2019, she has already collaborated with the likes of Zambian artist, M’ax, Joburg-based Joda Kgosi, and even Afropunk Finalist, Raspy. The rising artist describes that “musicality might be difficult but production isn’t, once you know how to start – putting in work is what makes you better”.
Kuchicola’s first EP titled “Prod. Kuchicola” was released in 2020. The producer/singer/songwriter describes the project as “special to me because I produced, recorded, mixed and mastered the whole thing as I do with most of my music”. The song, Down, on Kuchicola’s EP, grounds her music in its neo-soul, jazz and RnB fusion. Incorporating elements of even Acapella, the song is able to evoke a cacophony of ethereal choir-like harmonies that are contrasted with 808’s and a typical RnB electronic type-beat. This juxtaposition of sounds, coupled with Kuchi’s soft and soulful Soprano voice, creates the perfect Erykah Badu-meets-Jhene Aiko type music to accompany a lavender-scented bubble bath while charging crystals in the full feminine moonlight.
Kuchicola’s most recent album, Almost, is a mature sound journey taking place during lockdown. The album saw Kuchi collaborating with the likes of Ben September and LUE, her song Good Enough, with the latter, earning deserved acclaim. The song taking a more minor, ballad-type sound effectively uses elements reminiscent of old-school soul RnB; such as acoustic guitar runs in the background and use of syncopated hi-hats. The vocal repartee between her and LUE is appropriately accompanied by the progressive and harmonious instrumental; not only highlighting Kuchicola’s talent as a vocalist and beat-maker but as a structural and directorial producer in her own right.
Kuchicola’s unique and unconventional sound is one thing that sets her apart from other local producers, the other being what she calls, “the obvious”:
“The fact that I’m a woman who produces will always pique the interest of others. Since I mainly produce for myself I can say that because my sound has elements from a few different genres, coupled with the tone of my voice, it oozes uniqueness.”
Looking forward, the multitalented musician would like to perform more in any context; big, small, virtual, or real-life, having her “sound heard” is Kuchi’s goal. Working with more artists on the continent, especially “any fire female artists or producers”, is another goal of the inspiring artist who acknowledges that there is a range of talented people in Africa that she would like to discover and collaborate with. Kuchicola hopes to one day work with Muzi or Kaytranada, but until then is making an active effort as a woman to have her sound heard and inspire those around her…an effort she is effectively achieving.
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