Having taken the UK by storm this year following his showstopping appearances on Britain’s Got Talent and hitting headlines with the news of his record deal with Universal Music & his Number 1 spot in the UK’s Official Classical Album Chart, Malakai now takes on the US – where his debut album, Golden, has shot to the Number 1 spot in the Billboard Traditional Classical Albums chart. Boasting a simultaneous transatlantic Number 1!
Golden is out now via Universal Classics & Jazz in association with Classic FM and features impressive collaborations with world-famous composers Lord Lloyd Webber and Sir Karl Jenkins. Listen to Golden here.
Of his international success, Malakai says: “Wow, a Number 1 album in the UK and America, that’s so cool! I never thought this would happen. I love visiting my family who live over there. I’d love to one day perform at Carnegie Hall in New York too. It’s one of my dreams!”
Of Malakai’s Number 1 in the UK’s Official Classical Album Chart, Martin Talbot, Chief Executive at The Official Charts Company said: “What a year it has been for Malakai – first he became a superstar on Britain’s Got Talent and now he is topping the Official Classical Artist Albums Chart. This huge new star for the classical world has truly arrived. Congratulations Malakai!”
Golden, is a collection of both classical and classic songs, including Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Pie Jesu, which he performed for his audition on BGT, reducing both the Britain’s Got Talent judges and viewers to tears. Simon Cowell responded to his spine-tingling performance by declaring, “There’s only one word for it…GOLDEN!” as he pressed the Golden Buzzer. His audition has since garnered over 55 million views. Watch Malakai’s audition here.
Since his appearance on the primetime TV show, international interest and requests have been flooding in, including a personal message of congratulations from the President of Sierra Leone. Malakai has also won the attention of Hollywood, singing on the soundtrack of the forthcoming movie Maestro, a biographical film directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, and produced by Hollywood greats Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, about the life of Leonard Bernstein.
Andrew Lloyd Webber, composer of some of the world’s most famous musical scores, has been very supportive. Upon meeting, he told Malakai “I love your voice, it’s absolutely fantastic!”. One of Britain’s most celebrated and performed living composers Sir Karl Jenkins offered to especially re-arrange Benedictus from his Armed Man: A Mass for Peace, which earlier this year celebrated 1000 weeks in the UK’s Official Classical Albums Chart. Malakai’s recording is the first time Sir Karl’s timeless ‘Benedictus’ has been recorded by a treble.
Golden also includes his peerless version of Puccini’s O Mio Babbino Caro, which he sang live in the semi-finals once again reducing judge Bruno Tonioli to tears, who stated, “You’re a gift from God” and “It is incredible to have a boy like you producing this divine sound.” Simon Cowell added “God has given you the most amazing talent” reiterating his sentiments from Malakai’s audition with “This was a golden performance”. Caruso by Lucio Dalla, made famous by Andrea Bocelli, also features on the album, which Malakai sang in the live final. Once again receiving glowing reviews from the judges: “I’m bursting with pride right now” Cowell said, “It was absolutely beautiful from start to finish”, with Alesha Dixon adding “You are such a remarkable young man”. His performance of Handel’s Lascia ch’io pianga, with which he made his stunning Royal Albert Hall solo debut in April this year as part of Classic FM Live in front of an audience of 5,000, is also on the album. Watch Makalai’s performance here.
Malakai started singing at the age of seven with St George’s Cathedral Choir in London and attends the state school Cardinal Vaughan Memorial School in west London, singing with its acclaimed choir Schola Cantorum. Performing with Schola Cantorum has given him the chance to develop his solo as well as his choral skills and to perform in concerts. He made his operatic debut in the Magic Flute at the age of 12.
Last December Malakai duetted with former child star turned singer and Classic FM presenter Aled Jones on the classic Walking in the Air and O Holy Night. The video went viral with over 25 million views. Aled Jones, MBE says: “He’s a great guy with an angelic voice. I’m so pleased everyone is getting to enjoy his God-given talent.” Watch his performance here.
The songs on Malakai’s debut album display his unique gift to perfection: Amazing Grace, which this year celebrates the 250th anniversary since it was first read aloud on New Year’s Day in 1773, is heard afresh. Ombra mai fu, set to one of Handel’s best-known melodies, otherwise known as Handel’s Largo, demonstrates both the purity and richness of Malakai’s voice. Recorded with the London Mozart Players, the album also features his fellow choristers from Schola Cantorum on half of the tracks.
Following the release of Golden, Malakai has announced a string of live performance dates across the UK alongside conductor Andy Berryman and London’s Orion Orchestra for the Proms Spectacular concerts in August and September. Full list of dates and information on where you can find tickets below.
Malakai’s Golden is out now via Universal Classics & Jazz in association with Classic FM, listen here.
GOLDEN Album Tracklist:
- Pie Jesu (Andrew Lloyd Webber)
- Benedictus (Karl Jenkins)
- O Mio Babbino Caro (Giacomo Puccini)
- Ombra mai fu (George Frederic Handel)
- Somewhere (Leonard Bernstein)
- Amazing Grace (Trad.)
- Lascia ch’io pianga (George Frederic Handel)
- Caruso (Lucio Dalla)
Malakai’s 2023 Proms Spectacular Tour Dates:
05 Aug Hylands Estate, Essex
12 Aug Stonor Park, Oxfordshire
19 Aug Stansted Park, Hampshire
9th Sept Weston Park, Shropshire
More information and tickets available here