A nobody yesterday can make a catchy song today that would make them a rap star tomorrowโonly to fizzle out next week. These days, the process of artist development is almost nonexistent. The success of Kendrick Lamar, Nicki Minaj, Drake, and J. Cole can all be attributed to their past work of freestyles, mixtapes, and guest features. A new upstart rapper/MC named Malz Monday is on the same path toward greatness.
DUAL ORIGINS
A native of two lands, Malz Monday grew up with his mother in Westchester, New York, and his father, who lived in Georgia. โMy mom is in New York, and my dad is in Decatur. / But they done both came from a place in Jamaica,โ Malz raps on โUnderrated/Tired.โ Although Malz rapped at a young age, the release of freestyles every Monday on social media is what started to gain him an online audience.
THE BIRTH OF AN MC
In the song โBaby Boy,โ he raps as a narrator, giving instructions to any young Black male adolescent who is tempted by street life. In 2019, Malz later took that momentum to debut Fledge, an EP release of seven tracks of wordplay and rhymes over dark, baseline-produced beats.
Malz Mondayโs first featured album, Thank God Itโs Monday, came in 2020. His lyricism had grown as he showcased the ability to carry a complete album of more than just witty freestyles. Malzโs rhymes became more introspective with songs like โPopcorn Ceilingsโ, โDeserve Itโ, and the track โBlack Oil Seedโ where he raps, โIโm just a diamond in the rough that ainโt been polished.โ
The artist journey continued for Malz Monday with noteworthy follow-ups. In the album For the Superheroes Donโt Exist, the art of storytelling is unique on tracks like โFather Time,โ where he raps โGrandma had a stroke, they told her she wonโt ever walk again. / If it wasnโt for her, coulda end up in a orphanage.โ Then, Malzโs bravado as an MC sparks on his Look Both Ways album, where he states his talent level is the same as โB.I.G., Pac, Hov, Nas, and Eminem.โ
THE FUTUREโS GIFT
The path of Malz Monday is one of growth in lyricism, song-making, and popularity. While his mixtape Monday Mix Vol. 1 fed his growing fanbase in between albums, in 2021 the iconic game franchise NBA 2K featured Malz Mondayโs song โHow It Isโ for its soundtrack. Malz Monday has the elite potential to be a significant figure in hip hop thanks to his substance and quality wordplay. Malzโs evolution from the underground, punchline rapper to a reflective wordsmith makes him a notable artist with a story to tell.
Click HERE for Malz Monday NextUp To Shine playlist.
