Buika at B.B. King Blues Club (2.24.17)

For Buika, her music is more than a career. She says, “Sometimes in the music business, people do what they think other people will like. But that’s a limitation. I just want to be true…I just do what my heart is demanding.”

It takes a lot of guts to expose your true self to others, and acclaimed singer, songwriter, poet, composer and music producer, Buika (pronounced BWEE-ka), does that every night she goes on stage. As plain as the tattoos on her skin, Buika  bears her soul to her fans across the world, whom she affectionately calls her “tribe.”

Born Maria Concepcion Balboa Buika in Palma de Mallorca, Spain, Buika grew up immersed in Spanish culture with her African-born parents. Surrounded by multiple cultures throughout her life,Buika had a variety of musical influences, from jazz and flamenco to pop, soul and African polyrhythm. This eclectic upbringing shaped Buika‘s ability to make music without limitations. During her 15-year recording career, her albums flow seamlessly between pop, jazz, soul, reggae, afro beat, R&B and flamenco. Equally diverse are her collaborators, which include Pat Metheny, Anoushka Shankar, Chick Corea, Nino Josele, Bebo and Chucho Valdez, Seal and Nelly Furtado. Filmmaker and longtime fan, Pedro Almodovar, remarked about Buika, “Seeing her draw from such different genres…mix them all together with such grace and spontaneity, one cannot help but think that there is a brighter future as long as one can witness the boundless evolution of this infinite performer.”