10 Questions: Mally.A

Way back in March South London producer and artist Mally.A dropped his debut LP, 8pm Down South. It is a chilled out experiment with neo-soul vibes and trap undertones. The LP stands Mally.A as a strong up and comer with serious potential. His darker rougher lo-fi vibes skulk on the peripheries of the neo-soul scene bubbling out of South London. We figured it was time we heard from Mally.A about what went into his debut release and what he’s up to now.

1. Contestant, what’s your name, chosen craft and where are you based?

My name is Mally.A. I am a Producer/Artist and I reside in South London, Croydon.

2. How would you describe your sound?

I’ve always had a struggle with categorising my music. I like to do a bit of everything, trap infused with soul and a bit of R&B. Maybe some lo-fi at times.

3. Who/what do you consider to be the biggest influence on your music?

First and foremost, Moonchild and Musiq Soulchild, they’re a big reason why I make music. Initially I never wanted to make trap or rap music. I was drawn to the complexity of neo-soul and jazz. But in my spare time I’d make odd trap beats and spacey synth vibes because I was a fan of artists like Carti and SahBabii.

4. What’s the proudest moment to date for you as an artist?

I’d say dropping my first tape. It had an interesting anticipation about it. I just wanted to see if it was my beats or my vocals that really stood out. But now it seems a lot of people don’t see the discrepancy between them.

5. Do you have any advice for our readers who maybe trying to play the mad game of music?

Follow the feeling. Find your own lane and steer in it. But, also explore more new different music, because that is when you come up with something new.

6. Name 3 people you would love to work with and why?

I’d like to work with A2 and Kiefer. I reckon the music we would make would be too cold.

7. What have you got planned for the not so distant future?

I have a joint album with my bro Jiang!, we’ve got some music to release which will be the first of a few collaboration tapes. Then I may have another album in me by the end of this year.

8. What’s the album you’ve played more than any other?

Voyager - Moonchild 

9. What’s the best concert you’ve been to and where was it?

Probably Playboi Carti back in 2016. Most hype set I’ve seen.

10. Name three things you can’t live without?

Music, Pasta and Cream.

Check out 8pm Down South below, like share and support good British music.

Words by Callum Ritchie

Photographs by Maya Manelik