Not all music needs a deep, implicit meaning, and that’s exactly what Spanish artist Bad Gial believes. “I’m an artist with a more lively nature,” she says.
“My music is for people to have a good time, and it’s for the club,” she explains. Hollywood Reporter On zoom. “I would just like people to know me as someone who makes music for them to enjoy, to dance to, and to take away a little bit of the stress, routine, and obligations that we have day to day.”
The 28-year-old singer-songwriter, whose real name is Alba Varello, grew up in Spain and always knew that music and dance were part of her identity. But once she entered adulthood, she found herself drawn to Barcelona’s new urban music scene that was enriched by local genres such as rumba catalana as well as hip-hop, reggaeton, trap and drill.
It was particularly inspired by Rihanna’s 2016 album, AntiShe says how she truly leaned into her “Caribbean essence and identity.” So Bad Gyal decided, “I should try to do my own thing,” and apparently it worked. Not only has she become one of the most influential voices in Spain, she has also struck a chord globally with her music that has redefined dance, reggaeton and club culture, including her just-released second album, Mas cara.
Below, Bad Gyal talks about her goals with Mas caraWhat she wants people to know about her as an artist, her upcoming tour, her reaction to Bad Bunny’s album winning this year’s Grammy, targeting the Hispanic community in the US and more.
Talk to me about the inspiration behind your second album, Mas cara.
The inspiration behind the album is mainly genres that I love. I felt like I had a lot of freedom going into the studio. Like, this is what I was listening to, let’s try to do a cumba. Now let’s play with merengue or mambo. Now let’s try reggaeton from the 2000s, a genre that of course influenced me a lot because of the influence it had in my country as well. When we were in high school, I really felt free to play with the genres I liked. So, basically, those are the inspirations that talk about the music.
After the success of your first album La JoyaIn 2024, how did you hope your second album would stand out?
I played with new sounds and new genres, but in an organic way. I’m someone who really enjoys discovering music, so I always have something in mind that I want to try. Of course there are new genres that I didn’t work on in my first album, where I was talking about kumba, for example. But the biggest difference is the way I built the team. My first album, it was more of just going into studio sessions with really talented producers, going to Miami for a while and recording with this producer, then another producer, and then putting it together and choosing the songs I liked best.
This process has been a little different. We have built a team. My brand has done an amazing job. I put my trust in them and they were 100% right. They introduced me to a lot of new producers that I hadn’t worked with [before]but that was something that made me really happy because I felt like my label really understood me as an artist, understood my identity and understood the people who were already in the business that would connect with me and respect my identity at the same time as making the project grow and look bigger. …I play music in Spanish, but the music I listen to is very diverse and it was really similar to me in that aspect. …This makes the process much easier, and less frustrating when you feel like you’re speaking the same language with everyone in the room.
When creating the album, what were you personally hoping to get away with? Mas cara?
I knew it would be a learning experience for me. Like I said, it was really different in the way we were working on the songs. It’s also my first time working with a book. [Previously,] I’ve always gone with the producer and this was the first time I went with the writers because I was a little bit traumatized by that. I remember back when I signed in the US, they tried to put writers in the room who didn’t understand me, and they didn’t understand that I was a songwriter either. I’m not just a performer. Because this experience is so different, the songwriters I’ve had, they’ve been amplifying what’s on my mind, completely understanding my language, the themes, the things inside my head, my heart, and giving me more resources to express myself without changing who I am. Also knowing when to put forward ideas and then knowing where to shut up and let me write and express myself.
For those who may be discovering your music for the first time with this new album, what would you like them to know about you as an artist?
I like my music to make people recognize me before my words, because at the end of the day, I feel like I’m a lively artist. I’m not a concept artist. I’m not an artist looking for inspiration through a concrete concept, that’s too intellectual [based on] Deep research. no, [my music is] More like lively. My music is for people to enjoy, and it’s for the club. I would just like people to know me as someone who makes music for them to enjoy, to dance to and to take away a little bit of the stress, routine and obligations we have day to day.
Do you have a favorite song on the album?
It’s hard to pick one, but if I had to say one, I would say “Un Coro y Ya :)”, because we really have a 90s/2000s vibe. It was something I had never done before. I’m a fan of rhythm and how musical it is.
Between writing songs, recording, performing, and filming music videos, do you have a favorite part about being an artist?
Songwriting, definitely. I love being in the studio.
Maybe there’s a cathartic feeling there.
It’s more intimate. It’s kind of therapy for me. Sometimes there are parts of this job where you have to put yourself out there, [and] Depending on what point you are at in your life, [it] You could be a little anxious or you might feel more stressed. I enjoy it too. It’s not like I’m freaking out about being a public person or anything, but it’s something you have to learn to deal with. And I feel like the studio is always my safe place, a place where I can be 100% myself. [not be] Judgment, just creation.
In addition to your new album, you will also be embarking on tour this year. What might excite you about that, and do you think you’ll be playing some shows in the US later this year?
I would like it to be earlier, but due to new US labor and visa laws, we have to postpone it a bit. I think it will be after the summer, maybe just because of all these things we have to prepare for travel properly. I don’t want to say much [about the tour]But of course they will listen to the new songs, the stage we are working on, I’m very happy about that. It’s completely different from any tour I’ve been on. I wanted to try something different for these tours, [regarding the] The stage, the choreography, the lights, the color palette, everything. It’s really new, really refreshing for me.
Spanish-language music is finally having its well-deserved moment in the mainstream space. As an artist you see the impact you are making around the world, what does that mean to you?
I love him! We have a unique atmosphere when you listen to Latin music at a party, even if it’s reggaeton, salsa, merengue or dembo, it creates a different energy. I understand why people from many cultures love it. I am Spanish. I’m not even from the Caribbean, but of course the history of my country receiving this type of music goes a little further than that. We grew up with a lot of reggaeton. But this is definitely something we cannot ignore, the atmosphere that this music spreads. It connects with different types of people from different places around the world, different cultures, different ethnicities, and that’s the most beautiful thing.
Specifically, Bad Bunny made huge waves in Latin music and the Hispanic community. What was your reaction to seeing the impact he had, starting with his stay in Puerto Rico, Even winning album of the year at the Grammy Awards and even headlining the Super Bowl?
It’s so inspiring. When I saw the stay in Puerto Rico, even before I went to La Casita, I was about to cry because it’s so inspiring. The truth is that he has made his culture such respect, love and admiration all over the world. And so is he as an artist and his story, it is very inspiring to all of us. Of course, seeing him at the Grammy Awards and winning three Grammy Awards, it was like magic. I couldn’t be happier. He’s not even my friend. I’ve only met him once. I’d love to have him as my friend, actually (He laughs). But I felt like he was my brother or something when I saw him win. It’s like, “Oh, I want to cry. He deserves it so much. It’s a magical moment, because he was doing it right.”
Given the current political climate in the United States and the targeting of the Hispanic and immigrant community, do you think this makes Bad Bunny’s Grammy win even more important and impactful?
One hundred percent. I mean, I feel like it’s just a more obvious way of saying, this doesn’t make any sense. For example, are you connected to the real world? Are you aware of what is happening? I feel like America – I don’t live there – but who are Americans actually? (He laughs.) you know what i mean? America is what it is because of its mix of cultures, a mix of people who immigrated [there] They created the country, so it makes no sense at all for us to try to be one [removing] The same people who built the country. They are Americans. Maybe they are more American than other Americans because they are the people who made America. The fact that Bad Bunny dominates everything is just one obvious example. So of course I’m against ICE, I’m against everything that’s going on. It’s really sad, and doesn’t make any common sense to me.
When you take a break from work and performing, what does your ideal day off look like?
I love this question. My ideal day off would be to wake up, go to the gym, have my coffee, and breakfast on the beach or at the pool while soaking up the sun, and just enjoying the day. I’m a Pisces, and this is 100% my perfect day. Then I just get ready, put on some clothes that make me feel pretty and go to dinner at a nice restaurant and have a few drinks, maybe leave it there, maybe go to a club if there’s anything interesting going on. That would be my perfect day. If I have time, a little shopping. I love New York shopping (He laughs). Maybe half the day in Miami, then the other half of the day in New York (He laughs).
Looking back on your career so far, is there a moment you are most proud of?
I would say it was the first time I sold out a 20,000-seat stadium, because from there everything changed. It’s one of the best rewards for an artist once they see the progress and say, “Okay, this is the kind of audience I’m working with now.” I won’t do clubs anymore.
If you had to describe what makes Bad Gyal Bad Gyal, what would you say?
I don’t know any formula other than being myself, honestly.
