Bad Gyal Talks Name, Fame and How Karol G Helped Her Land a Dream Collab
A first look at Bad Gyal, real name Alba Farelo, and you can automatically feel her big boss girl energy. In control of her look, her lyrics, and her persona, the Spanish artist has dedicated a lot of time to her artistry.
The unexpected blow up of her cover of Rihanna’s “Work” in her native Catalan thrusted Bad Gyal onto the music scene and she hasn’t missed a beat since. Rauw Alejandro, Maria Becerra, and Rema are just some of the big names she has been able to collaborate with.
Her dream collab happened because of Karol G
Bad Gyal’s recent collab, “Kármika,” on Karol G’s “Mañana Será Bonito” with Sean Paul was a “dream come true.”
“I’ve always dreamed about collaborating with Sean Paul, who is one of the most important artists in the dancehall genre,” she said.
The dancehall genre is Bad Gyal’s biggest musical influence. It was here that she found a safe space and where she got her name. “Bad Gyal was a name that I was hearing on all the songs and it gave me the strength to feel like a powerful and badass woman to start my own project,” she says.
Bad Gyal effortlessly fuses reggaeton, R&B, and dancehall to create her music. Add in her sultry voice, her late 90s to early 2000s fashion style, and you have a star.
From independent artist to global stardom
She released her first two mixtapes as an independent artist and had her first feature with Argentinian singer Ms Nina. The track came about organically where both “really liked each other’s energy” and decided to make a song together. The success of her mixtapes eventually led her to signing her first record deal where only more success followed.
It wasn’t long before her name began to leave Spain’s borders and travel all over the world. But when it comes to that “I made it” feeling, Bad Gyal is indifferent towards it. “I never really feel like I finally made it. There is always something that I could do better,” she explains. But, two sold-out shows in Barcelona and Madrid this year are her pinch-me moments so far.
What’s next for Bad Gyal?
Besides kicking off 2023 with two concerts, she also released her single “Chulo”. Made for the club, the track will 100% have you dancing, having fun, and really feeling yourself.
2023 will bring not only new music, but her next album, and a tour in Europe, United States, and Latin America.
There’s much to expect from Bad Gyal, but as we have already seen, she is more than capable of delivering.
