A couple of days ago, rising Brooklyn-bred artist Alex Mali released the visual for “Fighting Words” from her new EP, Phenom.
The women empowerment anthem blends her native Caribbean heritage with current R&B sounds creating a playful beat behind Mali’s warning tone. Challenging not only those who speak negatively about her, the “Obviously” singer also confronts what society generally mislabels strong women as with paint on the dancers face labeled angry, needy, crazy – encouraging them to stand in their power.
Alex Mali (Photo: Instagram)
The “Fighting Words” visual, self-directed by Mali alongside Frank Apollonio and Xtina Prince, showcases a range of women gathered with the diminishing words brightly painted in neon across their faces in a black lit room. Wearing many hats, Mali also executive produced and styled the dancers in the video.
“We live in a world where the judgement and belittlement of women are common practice, as if they are stamped across our faces,” explained Mali.
“It’s been amazing watching women take back their power despite ignorant labels and this visual is an exaggerated representation of just that – Openly speaking your mind without the fear of falling into a predetermined category of a ‘typical woman.’ The words featured in this video are widely known stereotypes of women that probably own its own chapter in the book of fighting words. What are yours?”
With over 11 million Spotify and seven million Apple Music streams, Mali’s long-awaited sophomore six-track EP Phenom is an excellent display of her ability to crossover R&B, pop, dancehall and trap music seamlessly. Mali arrived in 2019 with her debut EP, Sweet & Sour, and has received praise from Complex, FADER, Teen Vogue, Pitchfork, Clash, Wonderland and more.
You can find Phenom on various digital streaming platforms including Apple Music and Spotify via The Blind Youth.
Check out “Fighting Words” below.
You can follow @MainlyMali on Instagram.
