Bad Gyal in concert in Washington, D.C.

Bad Gyal, considered the rising star of the Spanish rap scene, is coming to Washington, D.C. just before her participation in South by South West, as part of the “Sound From Spain” program.

Ever since her cover of Rihanna’s Work became a viral phenomenon in Spain little over a year ago, Bad Gyal’s career has been leaving quite the flaring trail behind her. During 2016 she attracted attention in the Hispanic urban scene worldwide, debuting with Indapanden, which now stands now at more than 3 million views on YouTube. Her first mixtape Slow Wine followed before the year ended, earning her a place as the first modern dancehall artist in Spain and featuring hits like Fiebre and Mercadona –all this before even turning 20 years old.

Within a year she’s performed her first macro stages for Barcelona’s Sonar and BAM festivals as well as Benicassim’s FIB. Having debuted throughout Europe (Berlin, Paris, London, Prague, Zurich, Brussels, Stockholm and Rome), she’s been collaborating with artists like Dubbel Dutch –producer of some of the best Popcaan songs– or Paul Marmota –of the Mexican collective N.A.A.F.I.– with whom she signed the dancehall hit Nicest Cocky.

Her music has been supported by artists like Murlo, Dinamarca, Soulection or the Mad Decent crew, and has been described as “Spanish dancehall queen” or “rising star of the Spanish rap scene” by media like Pitchfork, I-D and The Line Of Best Fit. She’s been featured on The Fader, Remezcla, Vice, Fact and Mixmag among many others fashion outlets too, including Vogue Spain.

Bad Gyal traveled overseas in October for her first shows in U.S., joining names such as Amnesia Scanner and Yves Tumor at the Red Bull Music Academy Festival in Los Angeles.