Kortney ”Mali Music” Pollard is a born~again Christian. A really talented Christian artist. And a man blessed by Jesus. Get to know this Christian Cat. He’s the real deal.
Check out his new music video and write-ups….
Mali Music’s ‘The Job Experience’ Modernizes
Classic Bible Story
By Billy Johnson, Jr. | Hip-Hop Media Training – Fri, Oct 28, 2011 3:25 PM EDT
Mali Music isn’t the first gospel rapper to write a song that tackles the controversial subject of unanswered prayers and the test of faith that follows.But the Savannah, Georgia rapper/singer is positioned to be the first gospel hip-hop artist to have the support necessary to take his unconventional message mainstream.
Mali Music’s video for his song “The Job Experience” premiered Tuesday on BET’s 106 & Park. The song tells the story of a father who questions God after his mother is diagnosed with cancer and his wife is shot during a home invasion.
After the tragedy strikes the father vents to God, “I thought you would protect us, but you can’t even keep us from violence and diseases. I really wanted to believe in ya, but I really need a reason to trust you after this one.”
Mali Music doesn’t consider the song’s message to be controversial. “I believe the song and all the ideas in it will actually lighten the load and be fully embraced by the gospel audience,” he said in an email to Yahoo! Music. “It exposes and directly states the things we all at some point feel and think. That outlet is actually relieving, and I expect it to be appreciated by the gospel audience especially since it all resolves to God’s glory anyway. The bible doesn’t get flack for controversy because the conflict in it is relevant. The same goes for the story told in ‘The Job Experience.’”
Mali Music’s project is a collaboration with Soundwalk, Reléve Entertainment, and Akon’s Akonlive. Akon became interested in joining the effort after he saw Mali Music perform during the Music Matters segment of the BET Awards in June.
“I was blown away for a minute, and I asked to meet him,” Akon told BET hosts Terrence J and Rosci of his initial reaction to Mali Music. “When I heard all the stuff he had in the closet, that’s when I was like, ‘Whoa, hold up. Did you talk to anybody? Don’t talk to nobody. Hold up. Let’s close this up tomorrow.”"
Akon added that he appreciates Mali Music’s inspiration lyrical content. “The beautiful part about it is his message,” he said. “The messages … you don’t hear that in music anymore.”
Mali Music’s co-manager Holly Carter was happy to link with Akon. “It’s a pleasure to work with Soundwalk, Mali’s parents, who have successfully managed his career from day one. I was brought in to take the business to the next level and in doing so, I brought in Akon. Together, we will work to platform Lai’s message for the masses. It’s really about spreading the message of the good news to the world.”
Mali Music believes he has the potential to reach audiences outside of the traditional gospel community. “I do believe that my music is bigger than gospel,” he told BET. “I’ll never deny the core of it, but that was just the platform that was available in the time frame that I came out, but I do believe that a new platform and a new genre is being created and built as we speak. I do believe that it’s bigger than gospel but, for now, I’m okay with it being under gospel and inspiration category.”
Mali Music has even collaborated with Akon on the song “New Life” for the mogul’s next album.
Mali Music Premieres New Video on 106 & Park
The BET Music Matter artist preps new album after signing with Akon.
After making his national debut at this year’s 2011 BET Awards, Georgia-bred singer/songwriterMali Music stopped by 106 and Park to premiere his new video, “The Job Experience,” off his upcoming sophomore effort, Mali Is. Accompanied by mentor and international megastar Akon,who stumbled across the Savannah crooner’s music at a recent BET Music Matters showcase and signed him up to his KonLive imprint shortly afterwards, the young singer says the union of the two artists is an invaluable learning experience, a blessing and a dream come true.
“For me to be able to have all of his experience and not only that, but his counsel, his support and belief in a God-centered and faith-based movement is just unreal,” says Mali Music, born Kortney Jamaal Pollard.
Soon after the release of his critically acclaimed 2009 album, The 2econd Coming, the inspirational songwriter’s rise to the spotlight has been a steady climb. Reluctant to classify himself as a traditional gospel artist, the passionate entertainer says the blueprint of gospel music is changing.
“I do believe that my music is bigger than gospel,” Mali says. “I’ll never deny the core of it, but that was just the platform that was available in the time frame that I came out, but I do believe that a new platform and a new genre is being created and built as we speak. I do believe that it’s bigger than gospel but, for now, I’m okay with it being under gospel and inspirational category.”
The fresh new face of a new-age gospel era says that plenty more innovative material can be expected from his new album. With a suspenseful, action-packed and emotional first single, one can’t help but marvel at the well put-together lyrics and melodies. In addition to making his own waves on the music radar, the gifted singer managed to grab a guest feature song called “New Life” off Akon’s upcoming album.
This isn’t the first time Akon has bought forth peculiar artists with distinctive talents and star power. Case in point? T- Pain and Lady Gaga. Hopefully the inspirational maestro can make his guru three-for-three.
Mali is will hit stores in January 2012.
(Photo: John Ricard / BET)
