Q&A: BAYLI
Swooping in hot with killer production, infectious melodies, and entrancing visuals is Brooklyn native, BAYLI. Formerly the lead singer of the funk-rock band, The Skins, mentored by music industry legend Rick Rubin, the multifaceted musician has set out on her own with a sound that’s undeniably fresh and unique. On her debut single, “sushi for breakfast,” she delivers a psychedelic-esque production with a powerful aura that radiates rich bitch energy. “boys lie,” is a track that’s both borderline pop but just shies away from being a complete trap/R&B banger.
With the track being bite-sized, two minutes long, it immediately leaves us wanting more from BAYLI. As the singer effortlessly leaps through multiple genres, it’s hard to predict what her next track will sound like—a quality that keeps her listeners intrigued and curious. BAYLI embodies the entire package of being a star and leaves us no other option but to heartily stan. We had the privilege of speaking with her about her stepping out solo and the creative process behind her recent single “boys lie.”
Do you mind introducing yourself?
*tap tap* is this thing on…?
When did you begin your musical journey?
I come from a family, on both sides, that are very creative and musical so there was never a moment in my life’s history where we weren’t singing or dancing, like I can pull receipts from Family Reunions in 1996 where we’re performing for our ENTIRE family for no reason other than music and dance has always brought joy!
Not to sound like a major douche bag…but in a way I feel like I was born with a sense of music and art already in me.
After scouring the internet, I found that you were the lead singer of a band called The Skins. How does it feel to be a solo artist? Is there a difference between being a group as opposed to being solo?
Yes! and, yes! The major difference that I find between working as a creative collect versus solo is that there is more clarity and less vagueness. I believe that every true artist has a mission statement, of sorts, and my mission statement with each song, collaboration and album comes to my clearer.
“sushi for breakfast” really radiates rich bitch energy, your sound is just super versatile, it's impossible to try and put your music in a box. Is there a genre that you enjoy making more than the others?
It makes me feel sooo flattered to hear that Sushi gives you “rich bitch energy” because that's the ONLY energy I ever want to give, but my higher self knows the real meaning of rich.
In terms of genre, I hate the idea of putting my music into any box that already exists. I pull inspiration from gospel, jazz, rock, hip hop, funk, classical (baroque) and anything “alternative” or in between, so shouldn’t that make my music everything? My genre is everything. I like writing in every way.
What was the creative process behind your latest track boys lie?
That song happened really fast. It was one of three songs I’d written in my first ever session with, my now homie, Yxshi! I think it was actually the first track we worked on that day. He played me the beat and it was super hard so I freestyled a bit over it, then sat to flesh it out and then tracked basically the final version in about 1hr 30min. So the vocal you're hearing now is the demo vocal that we tracked that day in Yxshi’s studio pool house. There's only one small part that I changed and added some adlibs since the demo.
Can fans expect an EP coming up soon? Do ‘sushi for breakfast’ and ‘boy life’ represent the vibe/sound that will be reflected in your next project?
Fans can definitely expect a body of work coming late summer/ fall. I’m really excited to release these stories out into the world, because even though they're pieces of my personally life they feel hella relevant to the sort of surreal world we’re living in post-Covid-19.
I also read that you’re from Bedstuy. Has growing up in Brooklyn influenced your sound?
I will always answer that with the same energy: YES OF COURSE BROOKLYN HAS INFLUENCED EVERYTHING ABOUT ME.
People don’t understand that growing up as black, Latinx or multiethnic kid in Brooklyn in the late 90s / early 2000s is an entirely different planet from the rest of the universe. It’s filled with an abundance of culture and intellect that’s so beautiful that it’s indescribable. Like, Brooklyn is the real thing that instilled in me some of the music that I claim to be born with. :)
Where’s your favorite spot in NYC?
Are we talking about a food spot or like a club or outdoor hangout? Either way, my favorite spot is my apartment :)
Who are you currently listening to?
There are a ton of really inspiring artists making, in my humble opinion, very cool and innovative music in the Alternative and HyperPop space; artists like, 100gecs and Joji. I also really love a couple tracks on Jay Electronic “A Written Testimony”…hmmm what else…oh! I’ve recently gotten back into Chicago rapper Lucki.