Mali Music

Kortney Jamaal Pollard, known professionally as Mali Music, is an American singer-songwriter and record producer from Savannah, Georgia. He is a charismatic, Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter, musician, and producer.

The artist has released his sixth solo album, "God Be Praised" (RCA Inspiration), and his most introspective work to date. The album, written by the artist, features 12 tracks and continues where his 2020 critically acclaimed project "Book of Mali" left off. "God Be Praised," which Mali Music recorded in less than two weeks at the Indianapolis studio of friend and drummer George Tyler, features musicians such as Tyler, guitarist Larry Angel, string arranger Roy Cotton, and singer Amber Bullock. Every song on the album, especially the first single, “Yes I Do,” a moving, soul-stirring track that showcases his luminous falsetto and the compelling “My Worship,” illuminate his deep trust in God. In the song “Falling,” Mali testifies about constantly feeling God’s love, while on the sweet love song “Only Way,” he croons, “Guess we got to do what lovers do/Cuz there’s no other way…/And if you leave it all behind it ain’t over/There’s no other way/True love/ I know it’s the only way….”

Mali Music has most recently collaborated with some of the industry's top artists, including Kierra Sheard-Kelly and We Are Messengers, but it was his amazing collaboration with fellow gospel heavyweight Jonathan Reynolds on their 2021 EP "Jonny x Mali: Live in LA" that wowed audiences and garnered the pair a Grammys for Best Gospel Song/Performance for their uplifting hit, “Movin’ On.” Mali is excited about working with even more artists in the future.

Mali Music played Jesus in the 2018 film "Revival!," and he also served as the host for the “Black History Honors” (a four-part docuseries that blends history and gospel music).

Mali Music reveres and respects the power of his chosen art form. The singer, songwriter, and producer recognized music’s impact at a very young age, treasuring it as a gift. At only eleven-years-old and without any formal training, he would get behind the keyboard at a local Savannah, GA church and play for hours in front of a packed house every single Sunday. For the young performer, it became about inciting physical, emotional, and spiritual change with nothing more than a beat, a melody, and a smile.

Receiving Pro Tools and a computer as a gift for his fifteenth birthday, Mali Music divided his time between recording hundreds of songs in his bedroom and playing football at school. After casually making a MySpace page in 2008, he quickly developed a fervent following online. A flood of booking requests came in from around the country, and his statistics began to skyrocket. Fulfilling his fans’ appetite, he released his first independent album, "The Coming," selling out the pre-orders from his family’s garage. Over the next year, he started playing sold out shows across the country leading up to the release of his sophomore effort The 2econd Coming in 2009. However, 2011 saw underground R&B’s “best kept secret” get out.

Delivering a seismic performance at the BET Music Awards on the “Music Matters” stage, Mali Music effectively got the entire industry talking. He found himself meeting with superstar Akon the next morning as other executives clamored to learn more about this burgeoning phenomenon. He finally found the right home in 2013 though, signing to Mark Pitts’ ByStorm Entertainment label at RCA Records—the home of Grammy Award winning singer/songwriter Miguel. After another earthshaking BET Music Awards performance and his Essence Music Festival debut that year, the mainstream wholeheartedly embraced Mali Music's undeniable and uplifting blend of soulful R&B, invigorating hip-hop, and inspiring lyricism. He bears an impressive vocal range.

“No Fun Alone” produced by Duplessis, begins with smoky jazz piano and bluesy guitar licks before giving way to the singer’s instantly recognizable croon. Lyrically, he takes the opportunity to remind everyone, “It’s no fun alone.” On the other end of the spectrum, “Heavy Love” skates along on upbeat percussion and tasteful melodic leads punctuated by a bombastic groove of live instrumentation. Meanwhile, the single “Beautiful” lives up to its name. Written and co-produced by Mali as well as Duplessis and Arden Altino, the track glides from an energetic verse into a heavenly refrain that instantly shines and soars—living up to its title.

Mali Music performed “Beautiful” on American Idol, and it immediately soared up multiple charts. It reached #16 on R&B/Hip-Hop Digital Songs chart and #36 Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart, heralding his arrival. Moreover, it clinched the #2 spot on the iTunes Top R&B/Soul Songs chart, while topping both the Gospel Digital Songs chart and Hot Gospel songs chart. Still, it’s only one piece of the album.

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