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| Malkia |
Malkia is a self-made woman who has made a comfortable place for herself in this world and uses her strength to uplift women and enlighten men through her music. She said,
“I define myself by how I make others feel. I live my life to empower people through
music and inform everyone that they can do anything they put their mind to.”
New Image Promotions (N.I.P.) is Introducing to you, one of reggae’s newest recording artiste/entertainer, Malkia. We had 5 questions for her, read on to see how she respond.
N.I.P.: You lived in Jamaica for 10 years during childhood, what are some of the best and worst experiences you’ve had growing up in those years?
Malkia: “I remember happiness, laughter and warm weather. Looking back now it feels like some of the best years of my life. I remember waking up and going to school on school days and not worrying about my safety. I grew up with my grandparents and cousins at the time in St. Mary and they never worried about our safety either. On weekends, we got up, did our chores and went and played with our friends all day. Back then it was ok to leave the house for hours at a time. I remember the happy freedom we had growing up. The worst experience would have to be getting yelled at or slapped for doing something I wasn’t supposed to do…lol. Honestly, I don’t remember any bad experiences growing up in Jamaica. I remember being in a wonderful place. Which is probably the reason I came back home.”
N.I.P.: By the time you got to New York, what was it like? Share an experience you’ve had that would have changed you and motivated you to excel at University levels?
Malkia: “The weather was not pleasant and my mom feared for my safety. I felt like a lost some freedom when I went to live in New York. It was different environment. I remember my first experience with racism as a teenager, living in New York. Coming from Jamaica where race didn’t matter to a country where race did matter was a huge culture shock. Children living in New York are very aware of racism at a very early age.”
N.I.P.: You hold a Bachelor’s degree in Chemistry and a Masters degree in Computer Science. For someone as educated as you are, why so passionate about a music career?
Malkia: “I love music and I love that it can compel you to feel. A good song will always make you feel something, whether joy, anger, inspiration, sadness, motivation. I want to make music that brings joy and confidence to other peoples lives. I have an opportunity to impact people the way that music has impacted me.”
N.I.P.: What would you say to a girl who resides in one of the toughest communities in Kingston, a garrison community, and has a desire to further her studies at University but does not have a good support system to back her (financial or otherwise). What would your advice be to her about breaking free, following her dream?
Malkia: “My advice to any girl whether she is from the garrison or not is to “trust your gut
and follow your heart” it will take you to wonderful places. Don’t look to external factors to determine your goals in life. Your journey in life will not be easy. But the other advice is to take it one step at a time. As long as you don’t stop, you must reach your destination.
N.I.P.: When you hear the music of Christopher Martin you come alive. Who are your ideal fans, who are the people you are doing this music for and why?
Malkia: “My ideal fans are adult women, I don’t think there’s enough music that caters to women. Most of the music out there deals with relationship and sex. I think women are so much more than that. I think we experience so much more than that, sexism, domestic violence, entrepreneurship, motherhood, etc. There is so much more that can be said. I would love to make that connection with female fans. Our point of view is under represented in music.”
Malkia released her debut album “Malkia“, formerly Angela Latti, independently from start to finish on her own Malkia Entertainment label. An all Reggae album, she tackles female empowerment, spirituality, love, sex and economic hardship. Lead single, “Princess and Queens” tells a story, it embodies the spirit of women: “Women are students, mothers, entrepreneur and everything in between, and we work hard to accomplish our goals. We are beautiful, strong and capable. We deserve respect and have earned the right to be treated like princess and queens.” click here to listen
By: Sophia McKay
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