SXSW 2026 Interview: Buddah Channels New Orleans Roots, Versatility, and Relentless Growth
- Travis Brown
- 9 hours ago
- 4 min read
SXSW 2026 Interview: Buddah Brings New Orleans Soul, Versatility, and Relentless Drive to Austin
Live from Austin, Horror Movies Uncut sits down with New Orleans artist Buddah following a standout SXSW performance.
AUSTIN, Texas — There’s a certain energy that only South by Southwest can produce—where artists collide, moments happen in real time, and careers can shift overnight. For New Orleans hip-hop artist Buddah, that energy wasn’t just present—it was activated.
Just a day removed from his SXSW performance, Buddah linked up with Horror Movies Uncut on the streets of Austin, still riding the momentum of a set he described without hesitation.
“It was fire,” Buddah said. “From beginning to end. Even the opening act was fire—but when I hit the stage… yeah. It was beautiful. I had a great time.”
That confidence isn’t manufactured. It’s built—layered over years of experience, struggle, and constant creative output.
From a Three-Bedroom Apartment to the Stage
Buddah’s story begins in a crowded household—one that shaped both his perspective and his artistry.
“I grew up with a big family… a lot of brothers and sisters. We all in a three-bedroom apartment,” he explained. “When you don’t have shit, you learn how to be creative.”
That creativity extended beyond survival—it became rhythm, sound, and expression.
“We’d make music out of anything. Beating on stools, forks… whatever we had. That’s where it came from. From the struggle.”
Like many artists with deep roots in Southern culture, church played a role as well. Instruments, drums, and early exposure to structured music helped refine what began as raw instinct. But the turning point came later.
“First song I wrote was at 18… and I never stopped writing. Literally. Never stopped.”
Developing a Sound That Doesn’t Stand Still
Coming out of New Orleans—a region that has produced legends from Cash Money to No Limit—finding an original voice is both essential and challenging. Buddah approached it as a long-term process, not a shortcut.
“A lot of people write, but they don’t have their own sound,” he said. “That takes time. And it don’t stop developing.”
For Buddah, evolution isn’t optional—it’s the foundation.
“You could be 55, 60… if you really got it, you can still create hits. Your style keeps growing. Just don’t stop writing.”
That philosophy defines his approach: constant refinement, constant output, and a refusal to plateau.
“Jambalaya Music”: A Style Without Borders
When asked to define his sound in a few sentences, Buddah didn’t limit himself to genre.
“I touch everything,” he said. “Rap, hip-hop, jazzy, blues, pop, party, groove, country… Southern smooth, like butter.”
Then he framed it the only way a New Orleans artist could:
“That’s jambalaya. That’s gumbo. Everything in one pot.”
It’s a deliberate strategy—one rooted in versatility and accessibility.
“I don’t care what you listen to—rock, metal, house. If you need that hip-hop energy to make people move, come holler at me.”
Global Intent and “One Time”
Buddah’s current work reflects that same genre-blending mindset, particularly in a track he highlighted during the conversation.
“It’s called One Time,” he said. “I mixed it with a reggae, Caribbean feel.”
The decision wasn’t random—it’s part of a broader vision.
“We want to be universal. Represent the diaspora. I ain’t been overseas yet, but I’m going.”
His music, he believes, is the passport.
Prepared for the Moment
One of Buddah’s most telling SXSW stories didn’t happen on his own stage—it happened after.
Following a performance at Flamingo Cantina, he was unexpectedly pulled into a moment connected to Benny the Butcher’s camp.
“His people came up to me like, ‘Come grab the mic,’” Buddah recalled. “And I was ready.”
That readiness is something he emphasizes repeatedly.
“Being prepared is the sweetest feeling in the world. I grabbed that mic and handled my business.”
Moments like that don’t come with warnings. They reward discipline.
Message to the Next Generation
Buddah’s advice to young artists mirrors his own journey—direct, unfiltered, and grounded in experience.
“Don’t give up. They gonna tell you you can’t do it… fuck what they saying. Handle your business.”
And most importantly:
“Don’t stop writing. Don’t stop rehearsing. Keep putting it in their face.”
What’s Next in Austin
Buddah isn’t slowing down during SXSW. With additional performances lined up—including a set at Antone’s—he’s continuing to build momentum in real time.
For updated appearances and releases, fans can follow him directly.
Where to Find Buddah
Buddah is active across major streaming platforms including Apple Music and Spotify.
Make sure you’re tapping into the correct artist:
Instagram: @BUDDHABOSS3
(“B-U-D-D-H-A — don’t get it twisted.”)
Final Take
Buddah represents a specific kind of artist—one shaped by environment, refined through repetition, and driven by adaptability. His presence at SXSW 2026 wasn’t just another performance slot—it was a statement of readiness.
In a festival built on discovery, Buddah isn’t waiting to be found. He’s making sure you hear him.
And if his trajectory holds, Austin may have just been the beginning.
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