MaLLy
MaLLy aka Malik Watkins sought out to build a name for himself and his craft, and ever since his debut record, The Passion, to his work with The Sundance Kid on the Free on the 15th series, and his most recent album, The Last Great…, he has cemented his place in the local scene as one of its most heralded artists. He was #8 in City Pages Picked to Click poll and voted the best Hip-Hop artist by the readers of the City Pages, and has been praised in many local and national press outlets, such as the Star Tribune, Okayplayer, Complex Magazine, Ruby Hornet, and 2DopeBoyz, and that’s just a few of a lengthy list. Not only has he gotten a fair amount of press, but he’s also been name checked by Monie Love, Sway Calloway of Sway In The Morning on Shade 45, and Chuck D for his music.
Aside from the critical acclaim, he has rocked stages with such luminaries as Souls of Mischief, Blue Scholars, Watsky, Elzhi, Evidence, and Blueprint. He also has done Soundset, the largest Hip-Hop festival in the Midwest not once, but twice; once as a performer, and the other time as a co-host alongside Brother Ali, and he was part of the lineup for Atmosphere & Rhymesayers Entertainment’s “Welcome to Minnesota” 2012 tour, and has also opened for Atmosphere at the famed Red Rocks Ampitheater. MaLLy has also been a part of First Avenue’s Best New Bands showcase, and has also performed at the Minnesota State Fair for Radio K’s artist showcase.
Aside from the accolades and the impressive list of talent that MaLLy has performed alongside with, the secret to MaLLy is his persona as an artist. Influenced by such artists as Joe Budden, Stevie Wonder, and Skyzoo, MaLLy has a penchant for writing rhymes that are accessible to a wide array of audiences. Within the blink of an eye, he can showcase his fury as a hungry artist with his very authoritative and direct style, and then can flip that to help bring him back down to earth as a man who is striving to do better for himself and his craft. Add to that an arsenal of expansive vocabulary, similes, and metaphors, and what you have with MaLLy is an artist who doesn’t have to compromise his integrity or personality to make bodies of work that speak to everyone.
“…wasn’t for my earth, or the unseen savior, might’ve quit rappin’, turned to unclean behavior, time for me to see I’m blessed, it sure took some, never front on life like that, it’s been a good one…”