February Artist Spotlight: Hip-Hop Music Maker MaLLy
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AC Johnson Photography
Hey MaLLy, thank you for taking the time to tell us a little more about your work! I know with your recent album release life has been busy so we greatly appreciate your time. To get started, can you tell us a little about what your background and what your art form is?
Sure. Plainly stated, I make Hip-Hop music. I have been rapping, performing and writing songs for over 10 years. A lot of my work is autobiographical in a sense, I usually let the experiences of my life guide the content and direction of a song or an album. I am currently on my fourth album and still have the passion for it so that’s a blessing.
I love to use wordplay, storytelling, bravado, flow and poetic devices in my writing.
Nate Ryan
When did you first become interested in writing and performing? How did it happen? Who were some of your influences?
Since a child I have always loved music and watching people dance and sing songs that sparked an emotion. After seeing that for so long I got inspired to write rhymes when I was 15 years old. Initially, it started off as journaling and transformed into small poems then eventually raps that I still have to this day in a box.
My work and daily existence has been deeply influenced by Stevie Wonder, 2Pac, John Coltrane, Donny Hathaway and Jay-Z. These artists showed complexity, confidence and used their voices and music to tell their story unapologetically in their own way. That is something I still enjoy doing.
What do you feel is most misunderstood about Hip-Hop culture?
The biggest misunderstanding about Hip-Hop culture (I think) is that it hasn’t contributed to the improvement and evolution of people. For many years, Hip-Hop culture has been wrongfully assigned to being just a vessel of trivial pursuits such as money, sex, violence and other material items.
Truthfully, Hip-Hop is one of the most influential cultures via rap music, the language, fashion, dance and so much more, not only in the United States, but worldwide. Also, it doesn’t get enough credit for creating jobs, providing a deeper knowledge of self, planting the seed for many to be entrepreneurs and that it’s a place to express yourself 100% without filter or compromise.
What do you get out of teaching versus creating your own work? What do you enjoy the most about teaching?
Being able to see youth celebrate and express their humanity through poetry, rhyme and live performance is energizing and transformative. I am afforded the opportunity to provide leadership, mentorship, hear new perspectives, witness real potential and greatness in the next generation.
I enjoy witnessing passionate young people go through the process of brainstorming, writing, performing their work and feeling fulfilled and affirmed by their classmates.
Nate Ryan
What do you see as the benefits of working in Minnesota’s music scene?
Throughout the years, I feel that there are resources and so many ways to get your music heard via media, word of mouth and your live performance. I have felt a deep appreciation come from a number of peers as well as supporters for the music.
There are times where MN has a big city industry energy but then I get reminded that it’s still a fairly small place. However, you can make a lot happen with a little; having the right amount of talent paired with determination. I believe that one door always opens another in this state.
You released a new album, The Journey To A Smile last fall. What was your inspiration for making it? Have you been working on any new projects lately?
The inspiration was birthed out of wanting to be happy and explore the experiences I went through in order to be. After deciding to live a sober lifestyle in 2016 and practice Buddhism I was better able to assess the blind spots in my life that were being neglected and forgotten about. I started to learn music and striving to be the best wasn’t the only thing that fueled my happiness, I knew there was so much more to me. Also, I wanted to share moments in my life that others might connect with or consider impactful.
Currently, I am working with a cohort of artists in collaboration with TPT for an artistic and performance-based series called ART IS along with additional teaching opportunities and new music with PC, the producer from The Journey To A Smile.
You’ve been on the COMPAS roster since 2018. What’s it like for you to be a part of COMPAS?
Being part of COMPAS has been a positive experience. The leadership is highly professional, organized and flexible with an artist’s schedule. They have always kept me informed on major updates with the organization, networking events and their Annual Business Meeting.
It feels good to be part of a team that’s well known in the state of MN.
How do you practice creativity in your everyday life?
This is an area of my life I wish I spent more time doing because the days fill up quick with so many other responsibilities that I forget to journal my thoughts, think of a new chorus or try to write a new song.
However, the days I do practice creativity it helps me to journal for 1-2 pages about a specific topic or just how I am feeling at the moment. Other times, free writing, reading a novel or a book based in spirituality influence my content and approach to writing. When nobody is looking, I’m probably singing my favorite R&B song or free-styling a rap verse to myself which usually creates laughter and level of personal openness I don’t share publicly.
