Although he’s a lifelong music lover, BAL only started making music around five years ago, initially creating in Haitian Creole, but now his tracks are delivered in English and French as well. BAL, which translates from Creole to English as “Bullet”, or “Festival”. brings his sound to a wide and diverse audience, and new single, ‘VOODOO BABY’, will have him winning over even more hearts and minds.
BAL moved from Haiti to Brooklyn at the age of 14, and his heritage is even still at the very heart of his sound, which includes tantalising storytelling, absolute passion for his craft, and – interestingly – opera. BAL was transfixed by the spiritual essence of the genre, and he’s got the chops to pull it off. Weaving the grandeur of this style into rap, R&B, afro beats – among many others – BAL has pioneered a whole other sub-genre, which he’s called, “Opera Drill”.
We only get to hear BAL’s opera stylings towards the end of his new single, ‘VOODOO BABY’, but that doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the rest of the track. Filled to the brim with an inescapable energy, the song sees BAL channel the mysticism and intensity of the religious and cultural practice of Voodoo, with a wildly vibrant, and wholly unapologetic presentation of his his heritage and identity. Blending Haitian Creole into the English lyrics, BAL shows that music is a universal language.
The music video for ‘VOODOO BABY’ is just as energetic as the song. Filled with the classic quick cuts, bright flashes, and off-kilter camera angles that we’ve come to love in classic rap and hip hop clips, he also incorporates touches of Voodoo, with symbolic imagery. The setting is dimly lit, at times with only candles to guide us in the otherworldly atmosphere, while our senses are filled with the high octane performances of BAL and his cohort.
You can watch the music video for ‘VOODOO BABY’ below, and find out more about BAL and his music online via TikTok, Threads, Instagram, and Facebook.
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