Bad Gyal
{{Short description|Spanish singer (born 1997)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2021}}
{{Family name hatnote|Farelo|Solé|lang=Spanish}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Bad Gyal
| image = Primavera Sound L.A. (52513800086) (cropped3).jpg
| alt =
| caption = Gyal in 2022
| birth_name = Alba Farelo Solé
| birth_date = {{Birth date and age|1997|03|07|df=yes}}
| birth_place = Vilassar de Mar, Barcelona, Spain
| occupation = {{hlist|Singer|songwriter|DJ|model}}
| discography = Discography
| years_active = 2016–present
| genre = {{hlist|Dancehall|EDM|reggaeton|pop}}
| label = {{hlist|Aftercluv|Interscope}}
| website = {{URL|akabadgyal.com}}
}}
Alba Farelo Solé (born 7 March 1997), known professionally as Bad Gyal, is a Spanish singer and songwriter. Bad Gyal has developed a strong cult following ever since her musical career began in 2016, with an interpretation of Rihanna's "Work" in the Catalan language. She continued to make music as an independent artist, releasing records like "Jacaranda" and "Fiebre". Bad Gyal later released two mixtapes: Slow Wine (2016) and Worldwide Angel (2018), which established her as an emerging artist within the Spanish urban scene.
Bad Gyal signed with Interscope Records and Aftercluv in 2019 and saw mainstream acclaim with songs like "Santa María", "Zorra" and "Alocao", the latter becoming the number-one song in Spain for 2019. 2021 saw the release of her first project as a signed artist Warm Up, and Sound System: The Final Releases. Her debut album, La joia, was released in 2024.
Early life and education
Alba Farelo was born on 7 March 1997 in Vilassar de Mar, Barcelona.{{cite tweet |author=Bad Gyal |user=bad_gyal_pussy |number=839016403701235713 |date=7 March 2017 |title=Hoy fai 20 añitos y os anunciare cosas muuuuuy 🔥🔥🔥 |trans-title=Today I'm 20 years old and I'll announce very 🔥🔥🔥 things to you |language=es |access-date=22 December 2024 }}{{cite news |date=6 January 2021 |title=Bad Gyal: todo lo que tienes que saber sobre la artista catalana y su revolución musical y estilística |url=https://www.vogue.es/articulos/bad-gyal-artista-catalana-todo |work=Vogue España |language=es |access-date=14 December 2024}} The eldest of five children,{{Cite news |last=Martin |first=Felicity |date=2 August 2018 |title=A Little Bit International: Bad Gyal Interviewed |work=Clash |url=https://www.clashmusic.com/features/a-little-bit-international-bad-gyal-interviewed |access-date=26 September 2018}} Farelo is the daughter of {{ill|Eduard Farelo|ca}}, actor and voice actor.{{cite news |last=Joshi |first=Tara |date=23 February 2018 |title=The Catalan reggaeton queen growing angel wings |work=Dazed |url=http://www.dazeddigital.com/music/article/39156/1/bad-gyal-worldwide-angel-interview |access-date=19 June 2018}}{{Cite news |last1=Sherburne |first1=Philip |author-link=Philip Sherburne |date=5 October 2017 |title=Bad Gyal Is a Rihanna-Loving Dancehall Badass From Barcelona |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/rising/bad-gyal-is-a-rihanna-loving-dancehall-badass-from-barcelona |work=Pitchfork |access-date=13 October 2017}} Farelo's younger sister Irma is also a singer, performing under the name Mushkaa.{{Cite web|url=https://www.elperiodico.com/es/ocio-y-cultura/20230120/mushkaa-hermana-bad-gyal-entrevista-sidecar-81361042|website=El Periódico de Catalunya|date=20 January 2023|title=Mushkaa, algo más que la hermana de Bad Gyal: reguetón para ellas y portentosa sensibilidad juvenil|first=Ignasi|last=Fortuny}}
At 18, Farelo entered the University of Barcelona, aiming to study fashion design. While attending university and simultaneously working at a call centre, she released "Pai", an adaptation of "Work", by Rihanna and Drake, in Catalan.{{Cite news |last=Aroesti |first=Rachel |date=5 July 2018 |title=Bad Gyal: 'Young people feel really represented by reggaeton' |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/jul/05/bad-gyal-alba-farelo-interview |access-date=28 July 2018}}{{Cite news |last=Sherburne |first=Philip |author-link=Philip Sherburne |date=5 October 2017 |title=Bad Gyal Is a Rihanna-Loving Dancehall Badass from Barcelona |url=https://pitchfork.com/features/rising/bad-gyal-is-a-rihanna-loving-dancehall-badass-from-barcelona |access-date=25 May 2022 |website=Pitchfork}}
Career
{{Outdated|section|date=October 2024}}
=2016–2018: ''Slow Wine Mixtape'' and ''Worldwide Angel''=
After "Pai" gained popularity on YouTube, and was picked up by a local radio, Farelo started recording Slow Wine Mixtape, alongside producer Pablo Martínez. The mixtape was released on 9 November 2016 and caught the attention of several professional magazines and music outlets, including Pitchfork and Fact. The latter named her song "Jacaranda," the best single of 2017.{{Cite web |last1=Bowe |first1=Miles |last2=Horner |first2=Al |last3=Lobenfeld |first3=Claire |last4=Twells |first4=John |last5=Clare Welsh |first5=April |last6=Wilson |first6=Scott |date=15 December 2017 |title=The 50 Best Tracks of 2017 |url=https://www.factmag.com/2017/12/15/best-tracks-2017 |access-date=28 March 2022 |work=Fact}} After releasing the record's debut single "Fiebre", Bad Gyal's popularity grew exponentially. The song has developed a cult following ever since. The mixtape's success and critical acclaim led Farelo to perform at numerous festivals throughout Europe.{{Cite news|url=http://www.factmag.com/2017/11/09/bad-gyal-access-all-areas/|title=Bad Gyal - Access All Areas|date=9 September 2017|work=FACT Magazine|access-date=29 July 2018}}{{Cite news|url=https://www.lavanguardia.com/vida/20180129/44394677676/bad-gyal-presenta-en-estados-unidos-su-nuevo-disco-recopilatorio.html|title=Bad Gyal presenta en Estados Unidos su nuevo disco recopilatorio|date=29 January 2018|work=La Vanguardia|access-date=29 July 2018|language=es}} In late 2017 she also toured Mexico and the United States.
In February 2018, she released her second mixtape, Worldwide Angel, to critical acclaim. The album was licensed and distributed by Canada Editorial.{{Cite news|url=http://www.thefader.com/2017/12/20/bad-gyal-nicest-cocky-interview-dancehall-catalan|title=The dazzling melancholy of Bad Gyal's dancehall-inspired party music|last=Myers|first=Owen|date=Summer 2018|work=The Fader|access-date=27 July 2018}}{{Cite web|last=Diez-Garde|first=Jose Luis|date=28 November 2019|title=Bad Gyal, la bomba sexual que quiere el trono de Rosalía|trans-title=Bad Gyal, the sex bomb that wants Rosalía's throne|url=https://www.larazon.es/gente/20191128/3etc4gsywvgspmvxfpbyimgkce.html|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122020227/https://www.larazon.es/gente/20191128/3etc4gsywvgspmvxfpbyimgkce.html |archive-date=22 January 2021 |access-date=17 January 2021|website=La Razón|language=es}} The mixtape was produced by Jam City, Dubbel Dutch, Florentino and El Guincho. It spawned many singles including "Blink", "Candela" and "Internationally". To promote the album, she took part in international festivals such as SXSW and Lollapalooza and toured the United States once again. In November 2018, she embarked on her first Asian tour, which visited Japan, China, and the Philippines. She also released "Open the Door" featuring Jamaican singer Govana, "Yo sigo iual" and "Unknown Feeling".{{cn|date=December 2024}}
=2019–2021: Commercial breakthrough and ''Warm Up''=
Formerly signed with the production company Canada Editorial, in April 2019 it was announced Farelo had signed with Interscope Records and Aftercluv Dance Lab.{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/columns/latin/8509195/bad-gyal-signs-with-interscope-and-aftercluv-exclusive|title=Bad Gyal Signs With Interscope and Aftercluv: Exclusive|last=Madeleine|first=Fernando|date=30 April 2019|magazine=Billboard|access-date=26 May 2019}} As a signed artist, was able to enter the mainstream. Her first release was "Santa María", featuring Busy Signal, which became her first charting song in Spain, and was later certified gold.{{Cite web|date=2019-07-16|title=Rosalía suma su cuarto top 1 en España con 'Milionària'; Bad Gyal, top 14 con 'Santa María'|url=https://jenesaispop.com/2019/07/16/367580/rosalia-suma-su-cuarto-top-1-en-espana-milionaria-bad-gyal-top-14-con-santa-maria/|access-date=2021-01-17|website=jenesaispop.com|language=es}} Its B-side, "Hookah", peaked at 55 in Spain. In October 2019, Farelo collaborated with Omar Montes on "Alocao", which peaked at number one in Spain for several weeks and is certified five times platinum.{{Cite web|title=BAD GYAL AND OMAR MONTES TEAM UP ON STEAMY NEW RECORD "ALOCAO" – Skope Entertainment Inc|date=26 October 2019 |url=https://skopemag.com/2019/10/26/bad-gyal-and-omar-montes-team-up-on-steamy-new-record-alocao|access-date=2021-01-17}}{{Cite web|date=2019-05-01|title=Bad Gyal da el salto a una multinacional y firma por Interscope y Aftercluv|url=https://jenesaispop.com/2019/05/01/361841/bad-gyal-confirma-su-salto-a-una-multi-y-ficha-por-interscope-y-aftercluv/|access-date=2021-01-17|website=jenesaispop.com|language=es}} Two months later she released "Zorra", which peaked at number 2 in Spain.{{cn|date=December 2024}} A remix featuring Rauw Alejandro was released in February 2021.{{cn|date=December 2024}}
In 2020, Farelo was featured on Kafu Banton's "Tú eres un bom bom", which would later be remixed in collaboration with Guaynaa.{{Cite web|date=2020-05-17|title=Guaynaa se suma a Bad Gyal & Kafu Banton en BOM BOM|url=https://newsinamerica.com/pdcc/gente/espectaculos/2020/guaynaa-se-suma-a-bad-gyal-kafu-banton-en-bom-bom/|access-date=2021-01-17|website=Periódico Digital Centroamericano y del Caribe|language=es|archive-date=22 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210122051958/https://newsinamerica.com/pdcc/gente/espectaculos/2020/guaynaa-se-suma-a-bad-gyal-kafu-banton-en-bom-bom/|url-status=dead}} She also released "Aprendiendo el Sexo" later on, with a music video produced by Canada and filmed at the W Hotel in Barcelona.{{Cite web|date=2020-07-29|title=Bad Gyal retoza con su chico en un hotel de lujo en 'Aprendiendo el sexo'|url=https://jenesaispop.com/2020/07/29/395533/bad-gyal-adelanta-el-video-de-su-nuevo-single-aprendiendo-el-sexo/|access-date=2021-01-17|website=jenesaispop.com|language=es}} In November, she released "Blin Blin" to commercial success and the acclaim of the general public. The track became viral in her home country and significantly used TikTok. She also partnered with Vodafone and offered a unique virtual concert.{{Cite web|date=2020-12-15|title=Bad Gyal : concierto en streaming 5G con "Vodafone yu Music Shows" 15 diciembre, 2020|url=https://www.que.es/2020/12/15/bad-gyal-concierto-streaming-5g-vodafone-yu-music-shows/|access-date=2021-01-17|website=Qué!|language=es}}
Bad Gyal released her first extended play Warm Up on 19 March 2021.{{Cite web|date=2020-11-20|title=Bad Gyal: "No tiene sentido cantar una canción de empoderamiento femenino escrita por un hombre"|url=https://los40.com/los40/2020/11/20/los40urban/1605875700_020355.html|access-date=2021-01-17|website=LOS40|language=es}}{{Cite web|date=2021-01-22|title=El puertorriqueño Rauw Alejandro colabora en remezcla de española Bad Gyal|website= Hola News|url=https://holanews.com/el-puertorriqueno-rauw-alejandro-colabora-en-remezcla-de-espanola-bad-gyal/|access-date=2021-01-23|archive-date=29 January 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210129211342/https://holanews.com/el-puertorriqueno-rauw-alejandro-colabora-en-remezcla-de-espanola-bad-gyal/|url-status=dead}}{{Cite magazine|date=2021-03-22|title=Bad Gyal estrena su nuevo EP "Warm Up"|url=https://billboard.com.ar/bad-gyal-estrena-su-nuevo-ep-warm-up/|access-date=2021-12-04|magazine=Billboard|language=es}}{{Cite magazine|date=2021-11-30|title=Bad Gyal viaja de Barcelona a "Nueva York" en su nuevo single|url=https://billboard.com.ar/bad-gyal-viaja-de-barcelona-a-nueva-york-en-su-nuevo-single/|access-date=2021-12-15|magazine=Billboard|language=es}} The EP peaked at 5 in Spain.{{Citation|last=Música|first=El portal de|title=WARM UP - BAD GYAL {{!}} EPDM|url=https://www.elportaldemusica.es/album/bad-gyal-khea-warm-up|access-date=2021-06-27}} She also collaborated with clothing brand Bershka and released an exclusive clothing line.{{Cite web|last=Baró|first=Mar|title=Bad Gyal inspira una nueva colección para Bershka|url=https://www.timeout.es/barcelona/es/noticias/bad-gyal-inspira-una-nueva-coleccion-para-bershka-060321|access-date=2021-06-27|website=Time Out Barcelona|date=3 June 2021 |language=es-ES}} On 25 June, she collaborated with Mariah Angeliq and María Becerra on "BOBO", which sampled TLC's "No Scrubs" and sparked controversy due to similarity with Luchy DR's "Bufón".{{Cite web|date=2021-06-25|title=Bad Gyal, Mariah Angeliq y María Becerra juntas en BOBO|url=https://www.neo2.com/bad-gyal-mariah-angeliq-y-maria-becerra-bobo/|access-date=2021-06-27|website=Neo2 Magazine|language=es}}{{Cite web|date=2021-06-26|title=La artista Luchy DR acusa a Mariah Angeliq de plagio por su tema 'BOBO'|url=https://www.losdelamusica.com/articulo/la-artista-luchy-dr-acusa-a-mariah-angeliq-de-plagio-por-su-tema-bobo/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210627041352/https://www.losdelamusica.com/articulo/la-artista-luchy-dr-acusa-a-mariah-angeliq-de-plagio-por-su-tema-bobo/|url-status=usurped|archive-date=27 June 2021|access-date=2021-06-27|website=Los de la Música|language=es}} As tour season came to an end, Farelo published "Flow 2000" as well as her second extended play Sound System: The Final Releases featuring songs she had been performing live for years yet remained unreleased.{{Cite web|date=2021-11-26|title=Bad Gyal empieza su calendario de adviento con "Nueva York (tot*)"|url=https://revistayoung.es/2021/11/26/musica/actualidadmusical/bad-gyal-empieza-su-calendario-de-adviento-con-nueva-york-tot/|access-date=2021-12-29|website=YOUNG España|language=es}} She released "A la mía" in parallel, exclusively for the Grand Theft Auto Online radio station Motomami Los Santos hosted by Rosalía and Arca.{{Cite news |date=2021-12-17 |title=Todas las canciones de Motomami Los Santos, la emisora de GTA V presentada por Rosalía |language=es |work=Marca |url=https://www.marca.com/videojuegos/pc/2021/12/17/61bc9dfa268e3e36058b45f2.html |access-date=2021-03-31}}
Discography
{{Main article|Bad Gyal discography}}
- La joia (2024)
Filmography
=Television=
Tours
=Headlining=
- Slow Wine Mixtape Tour (2017)
- International Bad Gyal Sound System (2019–2021){{Cite news |last=Palao Murcia |first=Alberto |date=19 November 2021 |title=Nueva música: "Voy a lanzar temas que lleváis pidiendo tres años" |language=es |work=Los 40 |url=https://los40.com/los40/2021/11/19/los40urban/1637334109_212598.html |access-date=18 March 2022}}
- La Joia Tour (2022–2023)
- La Joia 24 Karats Tour (2024)
- Bikini Badness Summer Tour (2025)
= Supporting =
- Mañana Será Bonito Tour (2023)
Awards and nominations
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
{{Sister project links|auto=y}}
- {{Official website}}
- {{allmusic}}
{{Bad Gyal}}
{{MTV Europe Music Award for Best Spanish Act}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:21st-century Spanish singers
Category:21st-century Spanish women singers
Category:Interscope Records artists
Category:MTV Europe Music Award winners
Category:People from Vilassar de Mar
Category:Spanish reggaeton musicians
Category:Spanish electronic musicians
Category:Spanish LGBTQ rights activists
Category:Spanish singer-songwriters
Category:Spanish women singer-songwriters
Category:Spanish women singers
Category:Universal Music Latino artists