R&B is one of the most fluid genres. And now more than ever, indie-r&b, sometimes referred to as alt-r&b, is dominating the current music industry. Pioneers like Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Jill Scott, and more, have birthed a new wave of artists who’ve taken a stylistic approach to the genre.
One of the emerging artists is the multi-talented Malaika Khadijaa, who honors GRL Mag today with the chance to take a peek inside her brain, and figure out why she is indeed the next big thing. Malaika enlightens us with deep analysis of music’s influential energy, that she has honed in ever so effortlessly. Thus, making her able to contribute and transform it & the world around her, that is undeniably awe-inspiring. The combination of both her voice and words draws connectedness, relatability, and hope, which communicates with listeners, making them feel seen and heard. And lucky for us all, an interview with Malaika is down below.
Who are you?
I’m Malaika Khadijaa, an indie-rnb Artist based in Toronto.
How would you describe your music?
I would describe my music as smooth, luscious and warm. I like to add a lot of vocal layers in all my songs and experiment with harmonies. I also play guitar which has been the basis of all my songs so far and when it comes to my writing style, I look at each song as a personal diary entry based on an experience that occurred in my life. Each one of my songs is based on a unique and personal experience which makes them very special to me.
When did music enter your life in a significant way?
I would say about 4 years ago when I performed live with a full band at the Modclub in Toronto. I really enjoyed the feeling of performing live and interacting with others within a musical space. To this day that experience keeps me motivated to continue writing, singing and performing.
How does your heritage influence your art?
My parents loved music and would often blast South African Pop, Antiguan Calypso, or jazz throughout the house. Those sounds have influenced how I approach songwriting and composing. I try my best to implement specific elements of my culture within the lyrics and melodies of all my songs, which is why you’ll hear touches of Swahili in songs like “Need Me” or “Tears”.
What was it like making the Nyota music video? What was your inspiration for the visuals?
The music video for Nyota was my first and I learned a lot through that experience. I was able to produce the video and had my good friend Chrxstelle direct it. Nyota in Swahili translates to “Star” and the meaning of the song is that you are always being protected and guided by something higher than you, in this case, I chose stars because they bring light to the darkness and it’s something everyone can relate to. The video follows a young girl (played by my sister) who is in search of something and on her journey she bumps into a guide (me) who reassures her and sets her on a path of clarity and calmness. We’ve been through some crazy times this year, which have thrown many people off track. I wrote this song for myself and others who were in need of grounding and guidance.
Tell us about Luminary Collective!
I co-launched Luminary in 2019 in hopes for it to be a series of showcases and mini-concerts around the city of Toronto highlighting young talent. Our first showcase in August of 2019 was a great success and we were excited to continue producing shows. Unfortunately due to Covid, we were unable to continue producing shows, so our team thought of ways to continue supporting young artists in a different way. These past 3 years we have produced virtual showcases and festivals, facilitated workshops and partnered with other media houses in Toronto. As of late, we’ve got a radio show on Fsr.live every 2nd Saturday of the month and continue to support emerging artists the best way we can.
What advice would you give to young artists and creators in the industry who are just starting out?
My best advice would be to introduce yourself and make connections, you never know where a “Hello!” could take you! Additionally, I would say to keep good people around you, keeping authentic, honest, and supportive friends, family and mentors around you will keep you motivated and push you towards success.
What are you listening to right now?
Right now I’m listening to Mother By Cleo Sol and Your Queen Is a Reptile by Sons of Kemet.
What is next for you?
In the next year, I hope to write my next album and engage in more collaborations with like-minded artists.
End.
Malaika Khadijaa paired with R&B, a genre that primarily invites listeners to feel and celebrate unapologetically, is one of the best wonders the world is blessed with recently. And clearly, Malaika’s altruistic attitude sets her apart from others, as she uplifts her peers and is determined to create opportunity for other artists like herself. For this reason, we can’t help but hope she gets the prosperity she deserves. We are delighted here at GRL Mag to touch base with Malaika, and share her with others who need to hear her spirited melodies.
Malaika’s phenomenal latest EP, “18”, is out on streaming services, along with her previous works.
To find out more about Malaika Khadijaa, visit www.malaikakhadijaa.com
You can also find Malaika here: https://www.instagram.com/malaikakhadijaa/
To find out more about Luminary, visit thisisluminary