Maseru
With her recent comeback in the music industry, Mantseli Kimberly Matete, popularly known as Bad Girl Kimberly, serves her latest single “Fashion,” marking a bold and intentional return to the spotlight.
Hailing from Vereeniging, South Africa, and bred in Maseru, this dynamic Afro and Hip-Hop artiste is determined to make a memorable impact with her narrative-changing track.
Kimberly’s music journey began in 2019, introduced to the microphone by a fellow artist.
In a recent interview with the Weekly Observer, she revealed that her musical roots run deep, with her mother being a singer and her father a guitarist.
The rising star took a three-year break from her career, feeling overwhelmed by the challenges she faced. “A lot of my plans didn’t fall through, and a lot happened to me while considering the contracts that were coming in,” Kimberly explained. “I got cheated, abused, and hurt. I wasn’t going anywhere with my career, so I felt the need to restart and restore my mental health,” she said.
The music industry, Kimberly notes, comes with its fair share of issues, one notable challenge was navigating the industry as a gay woman. “A lot of people in power demanded unspeakable things from me, and when I couldn’t deliver, they lost interest,” she remarked. “It’s a very dirty business, especially for women.”
Despite these hardships, Kimberly’s passion for her craft and her desire to make a difference fueled her return. “I’ve always been a woman of presentation. For me, first impressions count. ‘Fashion’ was inspired by my morals as a woman and a lesbian. I wanted to remove the stereotypes of how lesbians are seen in the country – that we are beautiful, amazingly attractive women, ridiculously talented, and above all, human.”
Fashion is more than just a song, it’s a statement of identity and resilience, Kimberly’s long-term goals include reaching the highest levels of success and gaining international recognition.
“I’d like to be identified internationally, perform on big stages, and have bigger collaborations and features. I want to make a difference for our people and hopefully, one day, be the first to open a real record label to help other artists reach their dreams,” artiste said.
Bad Girl Kimberly’s return is not just a comeback; it’s a declaration of strength and a promise of more to come.
