TREASURE | Baobei
In Mandarin, Baobei means darling or treasure — a fitting name for the musical alter-ego of British-Chinese artist Lila Yin, whose world glimmers somewhere between dreamscape and dance floor. Based in London, Baobei builds sonic portals that blur the organic and the digital, mixing next-gen UKG, drum and bass, and pop into something instinctive and otherworldly. Her mission? To create a club space where softness and strength coexist, where every raver — of every background — finds freedom in movement.
Outside of your art form, where do you find inspiration?
Everywhere! Conversations, cooking, nature, films. Think inspiration can be found anywhere in everyday life if you are open to receiving it as everything is connected.
Where do you think you get your personal power from?
Listening to my intuition and honouring how I feel, and if/when I choose to express it. This goes for music work but also in life. Knowing your experiences are a reflection of your internal world and moving through them with integrity makes me feel empowered.
What is your favourite space?
Bit of a homebody at heart so would have to be my loft - big windows and all my fave playthings within reach - laptop, studio setup, DJ decks, Switch. Almost always have an internet radio or playlist streaming through my speakers too to soundtrack whatever vibe I’m on.
Is there something you learnt early in your career that you have now disproven?
That you should say yes to everything. I’m all for trying new things and think early on it’s good to get a gauge of the landscape you’re in and do all the shows and the sessions, but there’s a difference between going out of your comfort zone, to doing things that just don’t align with you. The former is important to challenge yourself for growth, but the latter can end up making you feel unexcited by what you’re doing. Someone once told me that ‘saying ‘no’ to something is saying ‘yes’ to other parts of you that are more important, which has stuck with me.
Within your immediate circle of friends and family or chosen family who is your hero and why?
My mum and dad. My mum is an opera singer who went on tours around Europe with Vanessa-Mae (imagine her telling me tour bus stories growing up) and my dad passed when I was 9 years old, but he was a violist, did instrument restoration and was recognised by the Musician’s Chapel for his contribution to classical music. Music was their life and I’m so inspired by their dedication - it brought them together so I wouldn’t exist without it. My dad especially was fascinated by music technology, so I get a full circle feeling sometimes when I think about him and how I’m making electronic music now.
How much of a role do other musicians play in inspiring your work?
100%. The worlds they build around themselves and recognising what stays consistent or what’s more fluid, hearing what details they obsess over, how they think about their live shows from tech to visuals etc. will never not be interesting to me. I also love when my friends who are musicians perform and I get to see a different side to them - their confidence radiates and inspires me too.
Is there a specific sonic theme, genre or instrument that you draw pure joy from?
Vocal harmonizers and vocoders a la Imogen Heap. When the harmonies are super tight and stacked around a main melody like that, it just makes me so happy.
How does visual aesthetic come to play in your work?
Well I love making a moodboard. It’s important to contextualise the stories behind the music with visual references, especially when collaborating with directors for videos or artwork. It’s something I enjoy working on post-music and am always keen to learn more about.
What are the core values behind your art?
Grit, non-judgment, play. Being courageous, accepting of others and enjoying life is what I want myself to embody and give to receivers of my art.
What would be your ultimate song to cover?
Hide and Seek by Imogen Heap
What is the first album you bought yourself?
Oops!... I Did It Again by Britney Spears. She’s an icon and my first love.
First memory of live music?
The classical concerts I would go to at Royal Albert Hall or Royal Festival Hall with my family growing up. Wasted on me at that age, I would definitely appreciate it more now.
Go to comfort movie / TV show?
Avatar the Last Airbender. Story is amazing, the teachings within it are so profound and the animation is 10/10.
Who is on your dream collaboration list?
Imogen Heap, SZA, Charli XCX, George Daniel, salute - to name a few.
Are there any creatives you'd like to platform right now?
@akida.io - Akida, his new EP ‘Upper Bounds’ has been getting rinsed at home.
@nicolengai_ - The creative director I just worked on this recent EP with, Nicole Ngai - love her work and had so much fun collabing.
@jaz.imsky - Jaz Imsky from Buntai too, sick DJ and producer making hard hitting 140s.
If you could grant a wish for someone, who and what would it be?
I’d wish for every world leader to receive therapy lol
What are you holding whilst posing for an oil painting?
Probably my sister. I’d want her to be in it too.
What is your spirit animal?
Squirrel probably? Bright eyed, bushy tailed and a good amount of chaotic and resourceful.
Funeral song(s)?
8 (circle) by Bon Iver. I think it’s one of the most beautiful songs on the planet.
What do you own that you should throw out, but can’t?
Old cables and adapters that I haven’t touched in years. I’m just a ‘what if I need it at some point’ kinda person.
People are coming over to dinner, what are you serving?
Potsticker dumplings, homemade chilli oil and white wine.
If you could time travel, who are you visiting?
My dad <3
You have a free plane ticket, where are you going?
Sri Lanka! One of my best friend’s family is from there so I grew up around Tamil food and culture but I’ve never been.
Who are you taking on a date, and where are you going?
I’d go on a sister date and take us both to see my mum in concert in the 90s.
If you could change the end of any film what would it be and what would you change it to?
‘My Girl’ - that film broke me. *spoiler* I’d change it so he would live.
Why do you think we are here on planet earth at this time?
To grow through our experiences and love the people around us.
What's the weirdest dream you've ever had?
I was in this distant land and had this overwhelming feeling that I had a whole life there, I don’t remember who anyone was, but for the way back to Earth I had to board this ship in the sky that looked like Pink Floyd’s ‘The Endless River’ album artwork, and people were waving me off saying ‘bye, come visit again soon’. Then I woke up, it was so strange.
If you were an ice cream flavour, what would it be?
Chocolate fudge brownie (but dairy free because I’m lactose intolerant).
Have you ever experienced true love?
Yes. Heard it can feel different each time too and that’s true so far.
If you could learn one new skill instantly, what would it be?
I’d be native level fluent in Mandarin.
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