Interview: Baby Ariel, On Dropping ‘Wildside’
Ariel Martin, aka “The Queen of Gen Z” chats about her sound, which we personally think is a mixture of soul, pop, and a little R&B, her new single, how she typically approaches her studio sessions, the songwriting process, how her music has evolved over the years, and how she stays grounded in this business. Also, make sure to watch Ariel on the DCOM, Zombies 2, airing now on Disney Channel. Read on to find out more about her dream collaborations and one highlight of her career so far.
GLITTER: How would you describe your sound?
BABY ARIEL: I’m more interested in how you would describe it. GO! ….but be nice.
GLITTER: What can you tell us about your latest single, “Wildside”?
BABY ARIEL: Any human, no matter what age, should question the universe and their own beliefs. You should be 100 years old and still not have yourself fully figured out. There’s always more to learn and always room to grow. It’s okay not to know, and it’s okay to be uncertain. And this song is a story about that beautiful journey of self-exploration.
GLITTER: How do you typically approach your studio sessions?
BABY ARIEL: With a venti Starbucks vanilla iced coffee with heavy cream and a bag of white cheddar popcorn lol.
GLITTER: What is the songwriting process like for you?
BABY ARIEL: I see myself as a big sister to all my fans. That’s how I approach songwriting. I am always digging for scenarios that I have lived through and that I know my fans are going to live through. So they have something to turn to when they don’t want to feel alone in what they’re going through.
GLITTER: How has your music evolved since your debut single released?
BABY ARIEL: I hope it’s gotten better hahahaha. It’s definitely begun to grow with me. “Wildside” is the flagship of that growth. I’m not a bubbly little girl anymore. I’m a ferocious young woman. My transition in the “Wildside” music video speaks to that fierceness that’s growing within me.
GLITTER: How did you get the nickname, “Queen of Gen Z”?
BABY ARIEL: I don’t know, but I love it. All us ladies are queens and should be called such, haha.
GLITTER: What can you tell us about your role in the DCOM movie, Zombies 2? Who do you play?
BABY ARIEL: Oooooo… there is so much that I want to tell you, but I can’t at the moment. You have to go see it. When you do, I hope you think I’m funny. My character is supposed to funny. That’s all I can tell you.
GLITTER: How do you stay grounded in this business?
BABY ARIEL: My family, my team, and a healthy dose of ME TIME when needed. I’m so lucky to be surrounded by people who truly have my back and carry my best interest at heart, even when that means saying things I don’t want to hear. But as I have gotten older, I’ve realized even more that staying grounded is something I have to be able to sustain on my own. Meditation has been a major tool in helping me to slow down and take an honest look at myself, what I’m doing, and what I should be doing differently.
GLITTER: What new projects can we expect to see you working on?
BABY ARIEL: More music, more directing, and acting. These are not all that’s on the horizon, but these are my primary passions at the moment.
GLITTER: Who is your dream collaboration with?
BABY ARIEL: Ughhh… so many. Justin Bieber, Sza, Nicki Minaj, and me… but I’m rapping with Nicki. Justin and Sza can sing.
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