We once again feature artist KiNG MALA. Her music narrates letting go of fear, being honest with yourself and those around you and ultimately living your truest self. Life is messy and we shouldn’t feel ashamed to show our emotions and speak our mind.
Her debut EP GEMiNi features six songs giving us an insight into who KiNG MALA really is. Real name Areli Castro, the artist shares, “When I listened to the songs when they were finally done, I realized that two distinct characters stood out to me. The version of myself that is powerful, confident, and unapologetic (I like to think of this as my alter ego). But then there was this unexpected version of myself that started to appear the more I wrote which felt vulnerable, soft, and honest. I realized that as different as each song is, the whole EP is just 2 sides of the same coin playing out over and over again, 2 versions of the same character. So that is the reason I chose the name Gemini, to represent the balance and chaos between two halves of the same thing.”
Produced by Rob Auerbach and mastered by John Greenham (Billie Eilish, Sam Smith, Katy Perry, Banks), her music evokes youthful energy while maintaining a musical sophistication.
KiNG MALA hopes her music may allow others to feel confident and cool, confiding, “I hope it helps people feel okay with what they feel, I’m a person with very intense feelings and it took me a long time to realize that that’s a gift, not a weakness.” Raised in a Hispanic home, the artist is passionate about supporting the LGBTQ+, POC, and Indigenous communities and being open about mental health.
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