Singer Carolyn Malachi is enjoying her first nomination for the Best Urban/Alternative Performance category of the 53rd annual Grammy Awards. The Baltimore-based singer is the great-granddaughter of jazz pianist John Malachi who played for jazz greats Sarah Vaughn, Pearl Bailey, and Billy Eckstine.
“I view this Grammy nomination as an honor, a precious opportunity, and a mandate to continue the pursuit of excellence. It represents the power of a “can-do” spirit,” says Malachi.
Malachi’s nominated song, “Orion”, came from her creative collaboration with producer James McKinney on her 2010 EP Lions, Fires & Squares. Rich, lush and soulful, “Orion” is but a mere example of the depth of Malachi’s artistry that first blossomed when she emerged onstage as a spoken word artist. Now, with a Grammy nomination under her belt and a flourishing business that recognizes the entrepreneurial efforts of women, Malachi is poised to demonstrate the viability of independent music in today’s congested music scene. Read on as she dishes with us her feelings on her Grammy nomination, talks about her company Smart Chicks and tells us what she would probably be doing now if she didn’t pursue her music career.
Soul Train: You were recently nominated for a Grammy award. Congratulations! Tell us about the project that was nominated.
Carolyn Malachi: “Orion”, a single from my EP Lions, Fires & Squares, received a nomination for a Grammy Award in the Best Urban/Alternative Performance category. The song, which I often describe as a movie in my head, is a relationship metaphor starring a mermaid and an astronaut.
Soul Train: Being nominated for a Grammy is major, but being an independent artist nominated is inspiration to many unsigned aspiring acts out there clamoring for recognition. How do you perceive your achievement and this recognition by the Grammy Awards Board?
Carolyn Malachi: Recognition of this magnitude inspires me to reach higher and, I feel, indicates that I am headed in the right direction. Producer James McKinney and I endeavored to make “Orion” a unique musical experience, one that would spark and stretch imaginations. The achievement of a Grammy nomination speaks to the power of vision, teamwork, and hope. I want people to know that, with these three elements, we can reach our wildly important goals.
Soul Train: Who do you look forward to meeting or rubbing elbows with at the Grammy awards in February?
Carolyn Malachi: The Recording Academy will recognize Barbara Streisand as its 2012 Person of the Year. Hers is the type of career to which I aspire. I hope to meet and take notes from the legend at the Grammy awards in February. If not Streisand, definitely Cee Lo Green. I admire his creativity and penchant for personal re-invention.
Soul Train: You have been performing for a while and have previous CDs that were released under your company Smart Chicks, Inc. Tell us about Smart Chicks and how leading this company has worked in tandem with your budding music career.
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Carolyn Malachi: Smart Chicks is comprised of enterprising women from the arts and other social sectors. We brunch monthly to share one if our most valued resources, intellectual capital. The Smart Chicks network promotes much of my community work as well as my performances and projects.
Soul Train: You’ve traveled across the world as a performer, most recently building musical bridges with those in South Africa. Tell us about your international work as an artist and its significance as a part of your career.
Carolyn Malachi: In 2010, I toured South Africa twice. The unparalleled experiences allowed me to meet beautiful people and find a second home on the other side of the world. I am quite fortunate to be able to say that I have a second comfort zone and it’s in Johannesburg. I witnessed my brother and mentor Hip Hop Pantsula (HHP), South Africa’s premier Hip Hop/Motswako artist, in his element. From the way he executes live performances, ads for his branded products, and his syndicated television show, to his smooth, humble way of leaving a lasting impression on fans, HHP is masterful. His example taught me how to find the value in every moment; every interaction.
Soul Train: You infuse jazz, spoken word and other musical genres into your performance art. Who would you consider your musical idols and why?
Carolyn Malachi: I listen to and am inspired by a rather broad list of vocalists, including Sarah Vaughn, Michael Franks, Kim Burrell, Lena Horne, Teena Marie, Seal, Beck, Carmen McCrae…The list goes on and on. It even includes Drake and Kermet the Frog. It has been most interesting to study reactions when I say that guitarist, Pat Metheney is my primary my vocal influence. Whenever I hear his records –they are all menageries of sounds– I hear Metheney’s guitar as a leading voice, not just an instrument. He uses that inventive lead voice to take listeners on a journey. Metheney plays his guitars as if they are attached to his soul. This is the experience is want to give my listeners.
Soul Train: As an independent artist, who have been some of your role models in terms of getting your music heard and getting gigs? Has being an indie artist made things more challenging?
Carolyn Malachi: One of my favorite authors, Napoleon Hill, speaks of challenges in Think and Grow Rich. I read that book and learned many things, including the importance of seeing life’s challenges as opportunities. Being an independent artist has presented several opportunities. By watching poets create and maintain strong followings on the national Spoken-Word scene, I learned how to book appearances and develop relationships with the people in the audience. The freedom to learn and practice different booking strategies has truly benefited me.
Soul Train: Ten years from now, where would you like to see yourself as a performer? What else would you have liked to achieve?
Carolyn Malachi: I have a single, wildly important goal for my life. That is to enjoy a long life as a world-class performing artist and social philanthropist. Ten years from now, I expect to be well on my way to achieving that goal and also delving into other creative interests such as dance and theatre. I am passionate about establishing a palpable trend of open mentorship in the arts. The will to do this comes naturally as, before I am a public figure, I am a big sister to two brilliant younger siblings and a leader in my community. There are so many resources in the creative arena. I hope to inspire women of the world to share and nurture intellectual capital to affect positive change in our time.
Soul Train: In today’s congested music arena, what makes your music unique enough to attract the large fan following you’ve been getting?
Carolyn Malachi: I think people respond to the layers of my musical onion. They listen to pieces like “Orion” repeatedly, and hear something different each time. This is the expectation that I’m proud to have established. With each song, I focus on creating a unique, personal experience. I want that to be my reputation, the promise on which I deliver.
Soul Train: Has music always been your primary goal? Was there a time when you may have imagined another profession for yourself?
Carolyn Malachi: I played basketball in high school and college with minor aspirations to become a professional athlete. It is more realistic to say that I always wanted to work in corporate America and, somehow, use my creative skills. I completed four consecutive summers of internships through the INROADS organization and eventually landed a position as an Events Production Specialist at the Gaylord National Resort & Convention Center in National Harbor, MD. Given the organization’s strong culture and the challenging rewards of my role, I enjoyed my time with the company.
Soul Train: 2010 seems to have been your break-out year on all levels, what can we expect new from you in 2011?
Carolyn Malachi: With the continued support of my fans, friends, and family, 2011 will be a fabulous year. I look forward to releasing a full-length LP this year and growing TextUAlive, my campaign to address distracted driving using the arts and social media.
Soul Train: We’ve covered a lot of ground. Is there anything else that you’d like to add?
Carolyn Malachi: Yes. Please share this message directly from me to your readers. It is intentionally in both SetSwana and English: Dumelang bo ausi and dream big. Know what you want to do. Trust that you can do it. Take action to see it happen. Onward and upward.
Check out Carolyn’s single “Orion” and visit her online at CarolynMalachi.com.
– Khadijah Z. Ali-Coleman
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Khadijah is a writer based in the Washington D.C. metro area. Visit her at KhadijahOnline.com.
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If you aren’t playing well, the overall game is not as much fun. When you do I tell myself just to decide to play while i did while i would have been a kid.