In this inspiring episode of the BlacVolta Podcast, we sit down with Ria Boss—singer-songwriter, community builder, and the beloved "Cat Mama"—to tackle the ultimate question facing modern African creators: how do you build a sustainable creative life without compromising who you are?
Moving between London, Gabon, and Ghana during her childhood as the daughter of a trailblazing diplomat mother, Ria’s multicultural upbringing taught her to think big while staying fiercely rooted in her artistic truth.
Ria pulls back the curtain on the business of being an independent artist, sharing a refreshingly honest perspective on acknowledging her own privilege and using it to create opportunities for others through her creative hub, Kitty Palace, and Black Girls Glow.
She candidly discusses her decision to walk away from major labels that pressured her to change her personal style and genre, choosing instead a self-sustained path. She also breaks down how independent creators can survive and thrive by building strong professional networks, securing grants, and utilizing fully funded international artist residencies.
We also dive deep into her personal healing journey, exploring how severe loss, grief, and heartbreak birthed her critically acclaimed, raw debut live album, Remember. From the Egyptian mythology that inspired her "Cat Mama" alter-ego to her passionate defense of "human error" over the perfect, soul-less mimicry of AI in music, Ria reminds us why staying authentic to your craft is the ultimate metric of success.
Tune in to discover what it truly means to honor your journey and build a lasting, independent legacy in Africa's creative economy.
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