IN CONVERSATION
WITH: MIA BADGYAL

“I don't think of one specific genre, I just follow my instincts and the result is a mix of everything I observe in my day-to-day life.“ Mia Badgyal is back with her new record ‘Mucho Sexy’ on which the singer is following her instinct instead of following rules of specific genres. The new record is courageously celebrating identity and self expression and reminding the listener, that “in between four walls, we're all the same.” With Mia Badgyal we talked about the importance of self expression, the process of creating the album, working with artists like Umru, Ms. Nina and Irmãs de Pau and how it felt opening for Charli XCX and Ashnikko. Photography by @mateusaguiar

Your new record ‘Mucho Sexy’ is out now. Can you tell us about the concept behind the project and what inspired it?

“Mucho Sexy” is my second studio album. I took two years developing this project, taking care of it and thinking about every detail - inside it, I talk about themes like sexuality, freedom, desire and self-esteem, because I found it necessary for me to express myself in a more human way in my songs. All through my transition, I was able to think of myself in a much lighter way and, well, in between four walls, we're all the same. It's a record for everyone.

Your sound blends genres like reggaeton, Brazilian funk, and electronic music. How important is it for you to experiment with different styles and not be confined to just one genre?

I'm from Brazil, a very miscegenated country, so, all these fusions were always something extremely present in my life. When I'm making music, I don't think of one specific genre, I just follow my instincts and the result is a mix of everything I observe in my day-to-day life.

What was the process behind the collaborations with Umru, Ms. Nina and Irmãs de Pau on this record and how did it feel working together on songs?

I've been following Umru's work with Charli xcx and other icons for a long time now, and he became someone I dreamed of collaborating with. We were already mutuals on Twitter and had talked about creating something together - but we only started it in 2024. Earlier this year, he came to Brazil, we scheduled a session and that's where everything happened. Ms Nina was always a reference for me and we also followed each other, but, it was when she came to Brazil earlier last year that we were able to meet and enjoy a night out together - I invited her to be a part of the album later and it all happened in a very reciprocal manner, she's lovely. With Irmãs, we had been talking about collabing for so long, but we could never align agendas, so, when I did the styling of their latest record, we got even closer and there I invited them onto the album. There was a real and sincere exchange in every collab and I'm very happy about that.

A wide range of producers worked on this project, including Carlos do Complexo, Cyberkills, CARLO, DJ Ramemes, DJ G2G, Baby Plus Size, BBYNITO, Felino, and Clementaum. How important is community for you when it comes to collaborating on music?

We are all on the same boat, y'know? We're still Brazilian artists fighting for our place in the music industry and sacrificing everything for our art. So, when we do it in a collective and collaborative way, creating art together, we make our voices louder.

You've performed at events like Charli XCX's Crash Tour and Ashnikko's Weedkiller Tour. How does it feel to be on stage and perform your music live in front of an audience?

It was a very enriching experience to be able to exchange with artists that I really admire and to be able to be embraced by their audience. I grew up admiring Charli and having her as one of my main references, so, when my work reached her, it was almost a validation that I'm on the right path and that, in some way, I'm like her. It was also amazing to be with Ash and their fans, all really loving and receptive, I felt at home and comfortable to be able to open their Brazil tour and thank them for all the support. We saw ourselves in each other and that was so cute.

Is there anything else you’d like to share or add?

I'm so happy to be breaking gender and language barriers through my music. I live in the country that kills the most trans people in the world, and 90% of us end up in prostitution, so, to be able to make art and to live from it, it's still a privilege here, even if it's very challenging. I hope to always be loyal to myself and to everything I built - trans girls can be popstars!


Photos @mateusaguiar
Creative direction @lucasphobia
Art direction @roberthaugsto
Editing @kaiocsr
Design @lucasphobia
Video @edgardisanti
Beauty @ict0r
Hair @chicasintetaz
Nails @actedboy
Styling @miabadgyal @iclaudee_
Mask @cece04747
Translation @redcrowning