MAHALIA 
"I think I make music now because I want people to feel like they can relate to my songs. I feel like I have something to say to people."
Age: 21
Origination: Leicester, U.K.
Genre: R&B | Neo Soul | Hip Hop Soul | Pop
#1 Streamed Song: What You Did
My 1 Song Recommendation: Do Not Disturb
2019 Album(s): LOVE AND COMPROMISE
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I know it’s time to move on from 2019, but I couldn’t do it without featuring one of my favorite artists. Mahalia may have been one of the best concerts I went to fall of last year (cc: Steph Phan). For 90 minutes, she had the crowd in her pocket in a packed house at Lincoln Hall with a devoted fan base (3.6m monthly listeners) shouting out song requests from her 2016 singles. It was easy to become attached to her energy and sprit as she effortlessly navigated the stage while belting some of her biggest songs of the year. She was my second most streamed artist of 2019 and it’s not hard to understand why. Mahalia’s music is all about putting words to the feelings that many of us get when we fall in love, or face a challenge or feel like we’ve lost our way. While some of her songs can be categorized as pop, she manages to blend together influences from R&B and Neo Soul together as one sound.
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The first song I listened to, “Do Not Disturb”, describes some of the same feelings we can have at the beginning of a new relationship; when we’re giving too much of ourselves away and just need a little time and space to remember who we were before being someone’s partner. As a singer-songwriter, she manages to capture so much of what we experience in life and make us feel like we aren’t wrong for feeling those things.
Throughout her latest album, Love & Compromise, she easily navigates a range of vocal highs and lows while evoking a bright energy as she covers all the best and worst parts of falling in love.
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After a successful album release and tour, Mahalia recently received a Brit (U.K. Grammys) nomination for Best Female Solo Artist. To get a true sense of her energy, talent and vibe, check out her COLORS studio performance below. Or as always, click one of the streaming links above.
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