AS THE year draws to a close, it seems everything is happening for Dublin rapper Malaki. In September came his EP, DFTTYM; last month saw a duet with Tolü Makay, and December sees him play Galway.
Malaki, described as “a key figure” in Dublin hip hop, whose “work eschews straight forward definitions, grappling with highly personal forces of creativity” by Clash, plays the Róisín Dubh on Friday December 3 at 8pm.
DFTTYM (Don’t Forget To Take Your Medicine ) centres on Malaki’s personal struggles with mental health, specifically negative thoughts, depression, and anxiety, via his alter-ego Calvero, a character inspired by the 1952 Charlie Chaplin film, Limelight.
“I wrote this project when I was in a very dark time in my life,” said Malaki. “I feel in our darkest moments we project a false image, or a person who we wish to be perceived as. Instead, I embraced this villain, I became him, and personified him within this EP. His name is ‘Calvero’ and each track gives you an insight into his character.”
Last month saw the release of ‘The Light’, a duet with Tolü Makay. Fusing soul, R&B, and hip-hop, it explores self acceptance and celebrates progression.
“It’s hard to recognise how far you’ve come whilst achieving so much mentally and musically,” said Malaki. “This track pays homage to the struggles I endured whilst trying to get to where I am today. Thankfully I have broken from the chains and become everything I’ve always wanted to be.”
Malaki has been called “energetic, empathetic, and excellent” by Hotpress and “a force to be reckoned with” by Equate, and been championed by the BBC’s Jack Saunders.
Tickets are available via www.roisindubh.net
