FireflySounds got the chance to sit down with Malik English, fresh off his visit to Rolling Loud with Bar4Bar, where he played bass and guitar. You’ve probably already spotted him jamming in the background of your favorite video with a new up-and-coming artist.
When we asked about the festival experience, he told us he had been out there with Bar4Bar specifically a few blocks from Rolling Loud, filming new content for the channel. Malik’s musical roots are very diverse, as they span from Brooklyn to Trinidad to Canada. Growing up, the artist moved back and forth between Trinidad and Brooklyn, and every one of those influences finds its way into his sound. The final product you get with this is a genreless vibe. Somewhat of a seamless blend of R&B, Dancehall, and Afrobeats that he describes in his own words as “post-genre…idiosyncratic.”
Malik has been making waves since first appearing on the scene in 2017, but made his official emergence in 2020 with the single “One AM Freestyle”, personally one of my favorites. 2020 came up a lot throughout our conversation, and it’s clear that year was a defining one for him.
“In 2020 I feel like I started making music for myself“
That shift unlocked something real. During that time, Malik found a deeper love for the craft, and Joy became the true theme of his entire discography.
“Joy is a form of resistance…it’s important for me to put Joy and culture at the forefront.”
That philosophy comes through in everything he makes. Malik draws inspiration from his own life and the people around him, blending cultures and feelings in a way that almost physically moves you. There’s a burst of passion in every track that leaves a mark whether you’re ready for it or not.
And the live reaction? That’s what keeps him going.
“I love when I’m at a festival or a party and people are physically enjoying my music…and it’s kinda cool to hear them say ‘this is fire’ and be like, that’s me.”
That’s not accidental either. When we talked about what he wants listeners to take away, he was passionate about saying,“I want people to physically enjoy my music.” And he delivers. The rhythms catch you almost the second a song starts. Then what follows is his signature bedroom-style vocals that lock you in until the end. Paired with solid production and engineering, it’s a recipe for greatness that feels completely unique to him.
Malik’s newest track “Ariya” plays perfectly into his genre-bending vibe as an artist. It’s got a solid rhythm that makes you want to get up and dance. If you want to catch a vibe and groove along, check out the music video for Malik English’s latest single Ariya below!
