Known as the lead vocal of Brooklyn’s The Skins band, Bayli Mckeithan launched her solo career with an August 2018 project aptly titled “Bayli Summer Mixtape.” This week she dropped a video for a single from the eight-song EP titled “Problem.” The visual wasdirected by Persia Besheti and styled by Olivia Anthony of Liv Streetwear.
In an email exchange with Bayli she shares the inspiration for the thought-provoking track and visual:
Snobette: What was the moment or the experience that inspired the song and the video?
Bayli: “I wrote this song about a year ago, and like most songs, the concept and lyrics just flew right out of me. I have had to my own personal experiences with mentally/emotionally abusive relationships. And not just in love but also work, family and friendship. I’ve also had very close loved ones endure the unimaginable, fighting through physically and sexually abusive relationships. These moments can be some of the most toxic times of a woman’s life, and I want to help shed light not only on that struggle but also the strength and perseverance that comes out of that pain. If you listen to the lyrics you hear my equate this type of love or relationship to drugs and other harmful habits that are traditionally hard to break or, sometimes even, come out alive.
“As women, about one in four of us have endured some type of abuse and I think that’s just the stat in the United States. I wanted to shed light not only on that struggle but, again, how as women we will always persevere, especially if we have the support of friends, loved ones and a loving community behind us. I thought shooting in a boxing gym represented the epitome of strength, skill and determination. The women you see beside me fighting in the gym are all my close friends, a lot of them from growing up in Brooklyn and they each have stories of their own when I comes to overcoming struggle. All I wanted to depict was a bunch super powerful women being their strongest and most gorgeously, brilliant selves, because we need a lot more of that representation in media, especially women of color and queer women of color. I wanted to help give a voice to all these women who I recognize as super she-heroes!”
Snobette: How did you link with Olivia on styling?
Bayli: “Liv is amazing! She is a dope and super hard working upcoming designer and stylist and we’ve know each other for a few years, since Afropunk New York 2017 when she styled me for the show! I absolutely love her work-ethic and overall positivity and it was such an honor when I heard that she wanted to join us on the journey of creating this video.
Snobette: We’ve featured her on Snobette too 🙂
Bayli: “Yay! LOVE IT!!!”
Snobette: What is the link to Adrian Grenier?
Bayli: “Adrian and I have been friends for a very, very long time now. He’s always been someone who has encouraged me to pursue my craft and he’s always wanted to help me realize my dreams, helping them really come into fruition. I believe that it is so so important to have friends and loved ones and ultimately a team or small community that believes and FIGHTS for you more than you can sometimes do for yourself and Adrian has been that for me for quite a few years now.”
Snobette: What do you have coming up this year so far?
Bayli: “This year I’m lucky enough to have quite a few prospects on the horizon. I have new music coming your way, always, so please be sure to follow me on Apple Music, Spotify and Soundcloud for exclusive tracks and demos.
“I’m a songwriter too, so, I’m working on some collaborations with some fellow artists and producers including a few tracks coming out that I’ve written and produced for a few upcoming artists! And lastly, I’m looking at potential touring/festival opportunities so please follow me on Instagram @BayliMusic to stay updated with all the things I have coming this year because I may be coming to a city near you! Ladies, 2019 is our year.”
Check out the video for “Problem” below.
