Malika

Over the span of her musical journey, MALIKA has had associations with a range of key UK music movements and sounds, from dance music to UK funky to contemporary R&B. Along the way she has collaborated and worked with the likes of Snakehips, Ella Eyre, SG Lewis, Basement Jazz and many others. Throughout each phase the thing that has remained constant is her ability to express raw feeling and emotion, and her distinctive vocal tone. Embarking on this new chapter, there is a maturity and poise that comes with her, as she embraces her womanhood and stands in her feminine power.

As she redefines herself to be the voice of UK soul, ‘Bless Her Soul’ builds on what is proving to be an exciting 2022 for the undeniable talent. We at Neo Music sat down with Malika to have a chat about new releases and all things Malika

1. Where did your artist name come from? Malika is my real name, my Dad named me, it means Queen in Arabic, but I know there is a little confusion over the spelling because I used to use 'Meleka' when I was more of a writer behind the scenes, but when I decided to be an artist full-time, I went back to my real spelling which is MALIKA 2. Congratulations on your newest upcoming single, ‘Bless Her Soul’ ! What was the inspiration behind this song? Thank you, I am so excited to be releasing Bless Her Soul. It's an uplifting soulful song, it’s empowering and ultimately is about overcoming adversity. Although it’s called bless her soul, we as a people have been through a lot these past few years, and we are all rebuilding, rediscovering what is important to us and how we want our future to be. This song is all of that, encouraging anyone who listens to not give up, to keep going. 3. How long have you been making music?

I have been singing since I was 5, I won my first talent show singing 'Weak' by SWV and have never looked back I guess. People always think I grew up singing in church, but I actually grew up in the studio. My dad had a studio and founded one of the first pirate radio stations in London in the 80's-90's called Time Radio, so I've always been around music growing up.

4. If you could star in a TV show, what would it be and why? Oh my days, ‘America's Next Top Model', me and my mum used to watch that show together, it was our little bonding time. That and ‘Making The Band'. I have always been obsessed with learning what it takes to be successful and I think these shows really gave you an insight into the process. (Even if some episodes haven't aged well with cancel culture). 5. What’s the most daring thing you’ve ever done?

Probably music, and investing in myself and my career. As someone who classes stability and security as very important, working in music where there are no certainties, it's all risk. But I also know that I am doing what I am supposed to be doing and I am excited to be on this journey and releasing music again. 6. If a millionaire decides to fund all your expenses on a one week trip to anywhere, where would you go and what would you do?

Firstly I'm going to Selfridges and Harrods, I am then going to 'The Fat Duck' for dinner

. I'd book 6 months worth of flights for me & 3/4 of my friends (because they'll only be funding for a week) to Bali, Bahamas, Hawaii, Zanzibar, South Africa, Dubai, Seychelles, Rome, Maldives and Antigua, all on private jets, and pay off all my bills for 12 months, and a couple family members too. By the end of the week the millionaire would be less of a millionaire and more of an average earner lol 7. What is the most memorable moment in your career so far? Wow there have been so many, I would have to say releasing 'Stuck On You’, my single earlier this year. I have been lucky enough

to have done many things in my career so far but releasing 'Stuck On You' has been a real reset for me and my sound and I am really proud of the love and feedback I have been getting for it.

8. When experiencing a creative block, what do you do to combat it?

It's hard, I've not had one for a while, but the best thing to

do is rest, which is hard because being creative is a part of my every day life, but having calm and peace, emotionally and spiritually is key to being at your best creatively. Sometimes stopping and giving yourself time to rest & reset is the most important thing. 9. If you could describe your music journey so far in 3 words, what would they be? Purposeful Challenging Rewarding 10. If you had a controller that had the power to rewind or fast forward which one would you press and why?

I'd defiantly rewind, but I'd like to have knowledge I have now. Had I done a few things a little differently, I'd be interested to see what life would be like now, and some other experiences I'd love to relive again too.