Blayre Mic

“I’m here to break the box that pop music came in,” exclaims Blayre Mic. It’s an indication that the Californian singer, songwriter and rapper is not your run of the mill pop star. In fact, with flowing peacock blue hair, pierced septum and gold, glittery talon nails, it’s not surprising that growing up in a very conservative household in San Francisco Bay left Blayre feeling “like an alien”. 
 
Fast-forward a decade and Blayre’s unique aesthetic and state of mind is translated into her debut EP The Pledge. “As a black female, people have tried to write my story for me – that I’m some hood chick. That’s not my story. This is a pledge to be comfortable in your own skin and to be open about wearing your heart on your sleeve.” Sonically a love affair between Outkast and Prince, the three-track album sits alongside the likes of Shamir and Lizzo. “I want people to think this was unexpected and ballsy. A future pop that sees a mix of soulful riffs and quirky weird bump-in-your trunk type sounds.” 
 
Blayre spent her childhood listening to old school classics like Tina Turner, Patti Labelle and Donnie Hathaway, with commercial pop music banned by her traditional parents. Classical music was played in the car, and by the age of 6, Blayre was on her way to becoming an accomplished classical flautist. “However, the whole time in the back of my mind I knew I wanted to be a singer,” she explains. “I just had to make sure I was really damn good at it first!”
 
It was in London that she met Alex Elliott (Ella Eyre, Troye Sivan) and her EP quickly took shape. Lead single Love B.P.M. is “a love song with balls…but it’s still a love song,” she laughs. “The song is about when you’re dating someone and no one has said ‘the L word’ yet. And if I’m going to stay in this relationship it better be love.” The brass section running through the track particularly resonated, having spent her formative years in the school marching band. Its visually arresting music video reflects Blayre’s fashion-forward sensibilities. “I’m a walking living breathing paper doll. I don’t stick to trends.” Such is the individuality of Blayre Mic. A name that’s worth getting used to.