Mahalia - "I Wish I Missed My Ex" [Video]

British rising star Mahalia has today unveiled her brilliant new single ‘I Wish I Missed My Ex’ alongside a cleverly crafted surrealistic video. In addition, the British songstress has announced that she will be touring the US for the first time this summer and also a 10-date UK tour for 2018 which includes a date at London’s prestigious Brixton Electric – her biggest tour to date!

Produced by Maths Times Joy - who produced Mahalia’s stand-out debut single ‘Sober’ – and emerging producer Swindle, ‘I Wish I Missed My Ex’ is a perfect example of her trademark, open-hearted lyricism fusing old-school soul and atmospheric synths with R&B/pop leanings. The accompanying video was shot in LA by Director Andrew Litten over a 22-hour stint:

“The first time I heard IWIMME, I knew the track needed a big idea. I’ve always loved Spike Jonze’s video for “Drop” by the Pharcyde and decided to pay homage by creating a backwards music video with a contemporary spin. I hired a linguist from UCLA to teach Mahalia the song backwards which she surprisingly learned in a day. The DP, Dustin Lane, and I have always wanted to make something in our neighborhood, Highland Park. We chose family owned locations and hired a few extras while scouting the neighborhood. Mahalia’s reversed performance oozes spontaneity and confidence. I can’t thank her enough for joining us on the journey, and signing on to recreate this insane concept.”

Leicester native Mahalia is quickly becoming one of this year’s most exciting UK female artists, riding fast her in her own lane marrying her supple vocals with magnetic R&B and shimmering soulful production.

Mahalia released her debut single ‘Sober’ last summer which to date has amassed over 20 million streams and seen her social media following swell to well over 150k. Following the release, Mahalia graced the Berlin online platform COLOR’s, where her performance of ‘Sober’ went viral and has since accumulated over 10 million views! ( link).

At 12 years old – the age most of us are aimlessly riding bikes or trying to avoid homework – Mahalia was cradling her guitar and penning love songs. With her entrancing, soulful tones, wise-yet-relatable wordplay and intuitive sense of melody, it quickly became clear that she had an innate musicality and that she’d be doing this for the rest of her life. 

In the time since she first picked up that guitar she’s dropped a scattering of releases – from 2012’s indie-flecked acoustic dream ‘Head Space’ to 2015’s gorgeously understated 4-track EP ‘Never Change’ – and 2016’s genre-flipping mixtape ‘Diary of Me’. But for Mahalia, it feels as if she’s just getting started.

Mahalia - "Sober" [Video]

Premiered by DIY Magazine earlier today, British songstress Mahalia has unveiled the hazy video to accompany her stunning first official single “Sober”.

“A hazy, booze-fuelled wander through the remnants of a house party, the video perfectly encapsulates that early morning wooziness” quotes DIY. The track; a rich slice of R&B that recalls the likes of Erykah Badu, Sade and Lauryn Hill, is sprinkled with originality and pushed into the present day. “I’m sorry that there ain’t no time left, you and I are over, me and you are done,” she sings, her warm tones melding into the illustrious, groove-laden beat, her words hitting straight to the heart. The track is quintessentially Mahalia – encompassing the classic sounds of the past while refusing to be hemmed in by one particular genre; her open-hearted lyricism holding it all together like magic dust.

“Finally! I've been waiting to share this with you and now I can! Here's the video for my debut single #SOBER. This story is totally about the morning after. Thinking about the night before - all the mistakes you made, all the muddled texts you sent. I always talk about how this song is a representation of realising a situation is not good for you and getting yourself out of it. This is me waking up and smelling the roses. Now that I am sober..."

At 12 years old – the age most of us are aimlessly riding bikes or trying to avoid homework – Mahalia was picking up a guitar and penning love songs. With her entrancing, soulful tones, wise yet relatable wordplay and intuitive sense of melody, it quickly became clear that she had a natural sense of musicality, and that she’d be doing this for the rest of her life.

Now 19 and based in Leicester, Mahalia is ready to fully unleash what she’s been brewing into the world. In the time since she first picked up that guitar, she’s dropped a scattering of releases – from 2012’s indie-flecked acoustic dream “Head Space” to 2015’s gorgeously understated 4-track EP “Never Change” – which was premiered on i-D – and last year’s genre-flipping mixtape “Diary of Me”, picking up praise from the likes of The Independent and MTV. In 2015, her unique voice caught the attention of Rudimental, who asked her to feature on their easy-going summer anthem “We the Generation”, pushing her name to a wider audience in the process. But for Mahalia, it feels as if she’s just getting started.

Mahalia - "Sober"

Premiered by The FADER and produced by Maths Times Joy, British songstress Mahalia has unveiled her stunning first official single in the form of “Sober”.

The track is a rich slice of R&B that recalls the likes of Erykah Badu, Sade and Lauryn Hill, yet is sprinkled with originality and pushed into the present day. “I’m sorry that there ain’t no time left, you and I are over, me and you are done,” she sings, her warm tones melding into the illustrious, groove-laden beat, her words hitting straight to the heart. The track is quintessentially Mahalia – encompassing the classic sounds of the past while refusing to be hemmed in by one particular genre; her open-hearted lyricism holding it all together like magic dust.

At 12 years old – the age most of us are aimlessly riding bikes or trying to avoid homework – Mahalia was picking up a guitar and penning love songs. With her entrancing, soulful tones, wise yet relatable wordplay and intuitive sense of melody, it quickly became clear that she had a natural sense of musicality, and that she’d be doing this for the rest of her life.

Now 19 and based in Leicester, Mahalia is ready to fully unleash what she’s been brewing into the world. In the time since she first picked up that guitar, she’s dropped a scattering of releases – from 2012’s indie-flecked acoustic dream “Head Space” to 2015’s gorgeously understated 4-track EP “Never Change” – which was premiered on i-D – and last year’s genre-flipping mixtape “Diary of Me”, picking up praise from the likes of The Independent and MTV. In 2015, her unique voice caught the attention of Rudimental, who asked her to feature on their easy-going summer anthem “We the Generation”, pushing her name to a wider audience in the process. But for Mahalia, it feels as if she’s just getting started.