Tell us a little bit about yourself.
malaïka is a Ghanaian-German-Cameroonian singer and creative based in Accra. She is moved by music she describes as ‘feeling like a warm hug,’ having been influenced by soulful women artists such as Jill Scott, India Arie & Cleo Sol. Her sound spans neo-soul, jazz & R&B whilst also being influenced by highlife, afrobeat and makossa. Her most recent project and debut EP ‘27’ is the culmination of her self exploration and an ode to her practice of archiving self.
The first person will have to be my mother – it might be a cliche but it’s a cliche for a reason! My first ever single is about our relationship and there are just so many more songs I could write. One of the ways she inspires me specifically though is her outlook on life, there are so many wisdoms in her sayings and the way she lives that I myself live by. She also has a very “I can do anything” attitude that inspires me daily.
The second person I’d say is Ria Boss! I am incredibly moved and inspired everytime I watch her perform – the way she embodies music, her absolutely flawless technique, her warm energy. I look at her and I feel like I know what I want to be like after years of honing my craft as a singer and performer.
Ideas! My friends and collaborators tell me I am an “idea hub” – I tend to come up with lots of creative ideas quite quickly. This can be visuals to express certain meanings or ways to write about an emotion or even some production suggestions for extra spice. It’s obviously been a great superpower for my own art but I’m also a happy springboard for my friends.
Honestly, putting together and releasing my project ‘27’: a photography series & 7-track EP (my debut) ! That was an entire year of bringing what started as an idea to life – working with my amazing & talented friends to plan and plot and shoot and edit and write and record… So much work went into it and I am so proud of the finished project. The fact that I did it is my biggest win so far.