Baby Goth pulled up with her Psyduck Pokémon stuffed animal, turquoise and pink hair, a black beanie to match her black outfit, and high-end Gucci sneakers. Just 24 years old, the Arlington, Texas-born, Los Angeles-based recording artist somehow manages to balance a bubbling music career, being a mother to two kids, and even pursuing her dreams of being a director. 

It was in 2018 when Baby first gained mainstream recognition, after linking with Trippie Redd and Lil Xan for her single “Swimming,” which hails over 10 accumulated million streams in just one year. From there, she unleashed her self-titled project, with a standout feature from Wiz Khalifa on “Sugar.”

With influences ranging from Tupac to Blink 182, Baby brings a breath of fresh air to the pop/R&B/hip-hop landscape. Beyond that, she isn’t afraid to be her true self, which includes having to cope with her anxiety and going life struggles. Thankfully, music has saved her life in more ways than one.

At the end of the day, she’s a creative who’s following her wildest dreams and passions. Her favorite things include horror movies, dolls, marijuana and simply living life. We caught up with Baby Goth during the week of Rolling Loud to discuss her reaction to Juice WRLD’s death, the music industry, unreleased music and more.

L.A. WEEKLY: You say you’re an aspiring director. What do you want to do in film?

BABY GOTH: Horror stuff. Some animation like Disney stuff. I’m a big fan of Tim Burton and Rob Zombie.

What are some of your favorite movies?

I love movies. I love all movies but my favorite horror films, obviously House of 1000 Corpses and Evil Dead. Those are really classic. The newer ones are The Conjuring and Anabelle. That director, his name’s James Wan, he’s one of my favorites.

How are you balancing wanting to be a director and music?

I’m starting to do a lot of my treatments for my music videos, so I’m practicing there. Then I’m working on a horror podcast, maybe we can get that turned into a TV show or a movie.

“Swimming” is at over 7.6 million views on YouTube alone. Did you foresee it blowing up like this?

No, that’s cool. I haven’t even checked in a while, so that’s cool.

What’s the fondest memory from that video shoot?

Just meeting [them] because before I came in to L.A., I listened to people like Trippie Redd and Lil Xan. Getting to work with them was really cool. It was my first official step into the industry so that’s always super memorable. 

How has your relationship with Trippie evolved since?

It’s cool. We still talk. We’re on the same set on Saturday for Rolling Loud, so we’ll probably see each other. 

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I saw your video where Trippie brought Juice WRLD to your session. Can you bring us back to that night and the energy in the room?

I don’t remember what night but I remember we were in Encore [in Los Angeles]. I was doing my EP, I hadn’t released it yet. Trippie just came because my engineer is also Trippie’s engineer, so Trip pulled up because he found out we were over there. I guess he just wanted to hang out. Trip started recording and invited Juice WRLD over, then No Jumper came. Diplo also came that night. It was cool being there at the same time, meeting everyone I really looked up to. They were all super nice and really supportive, even though I was super new at music. They were all very humble.

I saw Juice WRLD bobbing his head to your song!

Yeah it was dope. That was really cool. He was really supportive even though no one really knew about anything I was doing yet. He did the “999 Freestyle” with Trippie in there too, that shit was really cool to see. He’s really creative on the spot, that’s something that I would love to be able to do. That’s like a superpower talent to be able to freestyle like that. I admire him.

Do you write your lyrics down?

Yeah, I wrote beforehand. I mean, I can’t do a whole song. Like that’s genius. 

What was your reaction to finding out Juice WRLD had passed?

Man, everyone woke up to that. It was really really devastating. Out of nowhere, people really didn’t expect that. No one expected that. It’s really unfortunate. He had so much talent… still. He still has a wave he’s going to live on through. 

Juice had a problem with substances. What do you think needs to happen in the music industry?

I think a lot of people do drugs and have substance abuse problems. Because there’s a lot of stress, a lot of stuff to deal with in the music industry. Sometimes, you can lose yourself in there. You don’t realize how far you’ve gone down the hole, then when you get health problems, you don’t even realize you have them.

Talk about your own experiences in the music industry.

It’s really, really rewarding and it’s also really stressful. It’s really demanding. I guess a lot of people come out here, but you really have to want it to get through all the bullshit here. Because there’s a lot of people who use you, a lot of fake people. But then there’s also a lot of super cool opportunities, just being here. Being around, being at the right place, the right time. That’s a lot of the reason I know who I know now, and got to work with who I’ve gotten to work with. 

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Why is it that you can’t release? Is it your label?

Some things happened and I had to just cut ties with people. You know, negative energy, negative people, toxic people. Now, we’re just moving on. Now I’m actually able to release music, so we got some stuff to look forward to this coming year.

Talk about performing unreleased music at Rolling Loud on Saturday.

I’m ending the set with two songs that are unreleased. One, we have big plans for. The next one’s going to be my next single. We might be filming a video for it soon, so I’m actually working on the treatment with some people too.

Is it going to be horror-themed?

No. I mean, I’m trying to mature my image. I feel like a little girl, but I’m 24. I’m a woman. I want to portray all sides of me. I think it’s important to make the music mature visually, but still keep everything that makes me me. My personality, my love for horror, dolls, everything. Maybe not in your face, but morphed into a different form. Like a Pokémon evolution-type shit, that’s what I like to say.

If you could be a Pokémon, what would you be?

I am Psyduck right now because I always have headaches but I love Vulpix. She’s my favorite. She’s fire, literally. I always forget on the spot, but that one that’s like a sea worm snake. It’s got like wings on its head and a little diamond in the middle of it. I had a stuffed animal of it when I was little. 

Why do you get headaches?

Eh, stress probably. And I have this anxiety-related eating disorder. If I don’t smoke in the morning, then I can’t get an appetite and I’m too nauseous to eat. So I have to smoke then eat. If I don’t smoke, I get a headache or I get shaky.

How does music help with your anxiety?

It’s good and bad. I’m still learning to overcome my stage anxiety, like my performance anxiety. Just being in the center of attention sometimes.

You’ve gone on tour right?

Yeah, I went on one with Kodie [Shane]. It was really cool actually. It was cool first experience. They taught me a lot so it was nice. It was my first few shows ever, it was cool just jumping into it. Starting first and everything.

How do you get over those nerves, especially at Rolling Loud this weekend?

Just smoking. I drink a little bit just to calm the nerves. Just really preparation and being in a good vibe. Being around good people, that matters a lot to me. Not being rushed, that gets me anxious as fuck.

What’s your favorite song to perform in a set?

Right now, I think it’s the last two. The unreleased ones, I’m just really excited about them. I really like the next single, it’s going to be called “Afterparty.”

How does it feel to be on this bill with so many stars?

We’re in good company so it’s really cool. I always grew up in high school and thought Warped Tour would be the highlight of my career. Then Warped Tour kind of died, but Rolling Loud is like the new Warped Tour but for the current wave. I love being a part of it, that’s really cool.

So you used to be a rocker?

Mmhmm, yeah. For sure. I loved Warped Tour shit.

What are some of your goals at this point in your career?

Just expanding, putting out new music as much as I can. Doing videos. I want to be as hands-on as possible, directing, etc  Eventually movies. I want to do comics. I want to do a merch line. It’s an idea but we’re developing prototypes of dolls, because my merch line is going to be called Dead Dolls.

I’m scared of dolls.

I love them because they’re creepy, but so pleasant. It’s my favorite.

How many dolls do you have?

Oh my god, I have so many porcelain dolls and Cabbage Patch dolls. When I was little, I had shelves surrounding my entire room. They were just lined touching shoulder to shoulder with porcelain doll. I loved that. 

Did you love music then too?

Yeah, always. When I was little, I would aspire to be Baby Spice and Eminem. They’re my favorites. And Blink-182 was one of my favorites.

How was it getting tattooed by a clown?

It was dope, he was really cool. He did it in his clown makeup and he tattooed a clown on me, while he looked like a clown. It was pretty epic.

You are scared of clowns, or you aren’t?

I mean I am, but that’s why I like them. I’m not too scared of them. They’re unsettling, but there’s something about them I love.

What’s the best encounter you’ve had with a fan?

Through the whole tour, it was the first time I really had encounters with fans like that. It was cool getting off stage and being surrounded by love and support. People would bring me joints and drinks, it was fire. People were really nice. They’re all people I’d be friends with, we have super mutual interests. It’s really cool, it feels like you get to hang out with friends after playing.

Anything else you’d like to let us know?

Look out for my new single “Afterparty.” Come see my set at Rolling Loud!

For all of the Rolling Loud info, go to rollingloud.com.

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