Big Bushgi Talks Church Roots, Queens Life, and Finding His Focus in Atlanta

Red Cup & R&B: Before we get into the music, where did it all start for you?

Big Bushgi: Church. My father is a pastor, my mother is the first lady, and my grandparents were ministers too. Music was always around me. I played the drums growing up, so that was my first real connection to it. Before I thought about recording anything, I was already learning how music could move people.

Red Cup & R&B: So you started behind the drums. When did you discover what you could do with your voice?

Big Bushgi: I started realizing the power of singing. Sometimes you can sing something that you don’t know how to explain in a regular conversation. People feel it. With singing and rapping, I found different ways to express myself and tell my story.

Red Cup & R&B: Growing up in Queens, around Hollis and the projects, what were some of the challenges?

Big Bushgi: Just navigating everyday life. You’re trying to figure out who you are, and there’s a lot happening around you. Sometimes you get caught up in things. Sometimes you know the right direction and still don’t make the right decision. I’ve had those moments, but I’ve kept trying to find my way and do better.

Red Cup & R&B: Did your church upbringing stay with you through those moments?

Big Bushgi: It did. What my parents and grandparents taught me never really left. That doesn’t mean I always followed it perfectly. But even when I wasn’t making the best choices, I knew what they had poured into me. That foundation gave me something to come back to.

Red Cup & R&B: What made you decide to leave New York and move to Atlanta?

Big Bushgi: I wanted to put some distance between myself and the negative things and pursue something positive. I needed room to focus. Music was something I could put my energy into, and I wanted to build a better life for myself and my kids.

Red Cup & R&B: You’re in Atlanta now, but how much of New York is still in your music?

Big Bushgi: A lot. Queens is home. The soul, the attitude, the experiences, all of that stays with me. Being in the South has helped me grow, but I still want people to hear those New York roots in my music.

Red Cup & R&B: What does a regular day look like for Big Bushgi right now?

Big Bushgi: I’m in the studio every day, working hard. Writing, recording, listening back, figuring out how to make it better. Right now, I want to hit people with beautiful music. I want to give them something they can feel, and I want to do right by my kids. That keeps me focused.

Red Cup & R&B: You also write, produce, act, and create digital content. What connects all those different sides of you?

Big Bushgi: Storytelling. I have ideas that don’t always fit into one song. Some belong in a book, some work on camera, and some become visual content. I’m exploring AI video creation too. I like learning new ways to bring my ideas to life.

Red Cup & R&B: What do you want someone to understand about you when they hear your music?

Big Bushgi: That I’m human. I’m still learning, still growing, and still working. I’ve made mistakes, but I’m trying to turn those experiences into something meaningful. If somebody hears my music and connects with it because they’ve been through something similar, that means a lot.

Explore Big Bushgi’s music, videos, and interviews:
Big Bushgi’s official links⁠ https://linktr.ee/big_bushgi_?utm_source=linktree_profile_share&ltsid=80e1f577-3da2-4a05-a1d4-f569bf960a04