BLACKSWAN Is Back

Fatou, NVee, Gabi, and Sriya’s BLACKSWAN have diverse roots and a distinct vision. The economic premise of “the black swan theory,” which holds that the improbable has happened, is where “BLACKSWAN” originates. In tandem, the girl group unites members from different countries with a shared objective: becoming the best idols in the world. “I see us getting very big and reaching a huge amount of people through our music,” band leader and rapper Fatou says, also letting out, “I want us to be perceived as human beings who gave their all for their dreams.”

Following those dreams, breaking through in K-pop, and eventually becoming an idol—it’s a progressive realization of a worthwhile dream. For Senegalese-Belgian Fatou, she has loved music since she was born. “I used to dance and sing for family relatives whenever they came to our house. So, I knew since I was like five that I had to do music; there was no way I was going to do something else,” she says, and then at 15, she was introduced to K-pop.

NVee was originally going to school in the U.S. to become a singer-actor. But at one point, she felt as though she wasn’t in the right place. That’s when K-pop took over her life; she vowed to make it as a K-pop idol above every roadblock, no matter how challenging or long the journey was going to be. In her words, “It took me about two years of auditions until I was finally accepted, and here I am sticking to my word and living my dream for real.”

“Music has always been a big part of my life,” recalls Brazilian-German Gabi who was floored by K-pop in 2016, and how proficiently artists were performing simultaneously difficult songs and choreographies while still putting on impressive acts. The singer subsequently went to South Korea for dance and vocal training after qualifying for their company’s (DR Music) audition in 2021.

“Since my debut with BLACKSWAN’s comeback, That Karma, I have been dedicating myself more every day to bring a better performance to our fans, Luminas, and inspire and show more people around the world that if you have a dream and want to make it come true, with effort and dedication, anything is possible,” Gabi adds.

On the other side of the world, an Indian Sriya was dreaming of being an artist. “Four years ago, I fell in love with K-pop. I was amazed by the music and performances of the artists,” notes the 20-year-old singer and dancer. She was dreaming about becoming an idol, “but back then it was not that easy.” There were many highs and lows thereby, but her family kept cheering her on, to the point where she is living her dreams today.

Last year, the band released their EP That Karma, featuring the lead single “Karma” with an eclectic music video shot in Odisha, incidentally, Sriya’s hometown. Those were memorable experiences—perhaps they tie them to India. And back for the K-Town Festival this year, the group is looking forward to some fresh ones. As NVee notes, “We are so happy to come back to India to celebrate and perform again. We have missed India and have been wanting to go back for a long time.”

BLACKSWAN, in my mind, stands for an admirable goal and the process of pursuing it. As they necessitate chances and means that we seldom have, our goals usually run counter to the reality around us. Even so, they are still doable, as the quartet confirms, as does their music, which firmly embodies their sense of self and a will “to never give up.”

The edited excerpts below offer more details on this dynamic, one-of-a-kind act, the music they produce, their innermost thoughts, and how they plan to become more of who they want to be.

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What specific elements does BLACKSWAN hope to draw attention to at the K-Town Festival?

Fatou: Our charismatic and down-to-earth personalities. We would like to show you our human side! 

NVee: As a group, it’ll be our second time coming back to India. So, we are excited to see our Indian Luminas at Dublin Square, Phoenix Marketcity again. As well as showcase what BLACKSWAN can do. 

Gabi: We want to show our singing and dancing skills, but mainly our harmony as a group and energy on stage. We want to connect with the public and create good moments together.

Sriya: We want to give our best and leave an impact on the audience and also enjoy and have fun with our Luminas.

What will be on your concert setlist? Essentially, what can we anticipate?

Fatou: All our songs and a few special stages, I hope you look forward to it!

Sriya: There will be a lot of great music with some great choreographies and performances.

For Sriya, it’s a homecoming, what else?

Sriya: I feel great to go back, I missed my country so much and the food and especially my family. I’m glad to visit again and I’m so excited about everything. 

What are your fondest memories from the “Karma” shoot?

Fatou: For me, it was when we were all tired but we kept it together and pulled through the shoot and finished it successfully. That made me trust the members even more.

NVee: My favorite memory from was the last day of shooting we shot early in the morning with the sunrise at the most beautiful peaceful temple. With an amazing view of Odisha.  

Gabi: For sure my stay in India, I remember waking up every morning and going directly to the breakfast in the hotel to eat Indian food.

Sriya: Shooting in India, especially in my hometown was the most memorable thing ever for me. Watching my members wearing Indian clothes and accessories was the most beautiful memory for me.

Are you going to be sticking around here for a while after the show, perhaps for a quick getaway?

Fatou: Sadly, not this time because we have a lot to prepare for, please keep an eye out for that!

NVee: Sadly, we won’t be able to stick around longer. We really would love to go sightseeing and eat more amazing delicious food but we must head back to Korea to prepare for our upcoming comeback. But next time we are back we are hoping we get to stay longer. 

Gabi: We are going to stay just a few days more, so I hope we can see more places in India.

Sriya: I’m planning to take them around since it’s also my first time in Mumbai so I’m hoping that we get some time to look around and see the monuments and all.

What is the core of BLACKSWAN’s sound? 

Fatou: The sound of strength and hope.

NVee: The Core of BLACKSWAN’s sound is Confidence and it’s Powerful.

Is it challenging for a multinational girl group to truly stand out in K-pop? 

Fatou: Not really in my opinion, because we have such a different and eye-catching charm.

NVee: It’s not hard. I believe that as long as we stick to our style and sound and keep working hard to do better, everything else will fall into place.

Sriya: Not that much as we thought it would be but as long as you hold a unique side and talent and do hard work it can be possible.

How has the artistic component of your work evolved? 

Fatou: I pay way more attention to little details like how we pronounce words and the accents we put in the rhythm while singing, so it made me have a broader look and made me have a better ear in general when it comes to music in all its forms.

Your songs, I’m sure, speak more to your identity as BLACKSWAN. What do you want to get across through your music?

Fatou: To never give up! And we women have power!

NVee: I want our music to not only show who we are as individuals but to show across the world that you can be confident in expressing who you are and where you are from in every aspect.

Gabi: We want the people to get connected and feel the music. We want to make music that has a lot of messages and meanings that people can relate to their life experiences. Everyone has their own stories. I hope when they look up to us, they can see themselves in each one of us. We are all different, and that difference is what makes us unique. 

What is the most fulfilling aspect of being a K-pop idol? What is the most difficult part?

Fatou: The most fulfilling part is being able to live breathe eat music, and connect with Luminas!

The most difficult part is being away from my family.

Gabi: Meeting our Luminas and interacting with them is certainly the best part! We received a lot of love from them and we know that everything we do today is only possible because of them. They make us want to keep going even in the most difficult times.

The hardest part is certainly staying away from our home country for a long time, anxiously waiting to reunite with our families.

Where do you see yourself in the ensuing years, and how do you want the world to perceive BLACKSWAN?

Fatou: I see us getting very big, and reaching a huge amount of people through our music. I want us to be perceived as human beings who gave their all for their dreams.

Sriya: I want BLACKSWAN to be remembered as a legend. BLACKSWAN wants to be the group that is good at everything. Whoever looks up to us, they’ll see themselves in us. 

Tell us about your upcoming initiatives

Fatou: New music!

NVee: We plan to release a lot more music that represents each of our cultures because we all come from different backgrounds. There are never-ending ideas that we can create for new music, concepts, and fusions. So, look forward to that. We are also having a lot more world tours so we can meet our fans around the world.

Sriya: There’s going to be a lot of surprises and things that no one expected. We have been preparing for our next comeback, so please look forward to it.

Anything else you want to add?

Fatou: I hope we have a lot of fun together at Dublin Square, Phoenix Marketcity Mumbai! And I hope next time we come we can meet more of you in different parts of India.

NVee: We are very thankful for this opportunity and are excited for more opportunities to come back again in the future!

Sriya: Thank you to the Luminas who have been supporting and loving us. We can’t wait to see you and have fun.

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