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Kelly Patterson

June 02, 2017
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I don’t know about you, but when I hear a song that I really like, I get that look on my face like something really stinks. My head begins to nod slowly in appreciation and then the neck follows and before I know it, the hands go up in the air. Yes, wave them from side to side. I think that should be the universal cue that you just heard some dope music. I have to admit that singer-songwriter and producer, Mali Music, had me totally spent after giving his new 12 track sophomore album, The Transition of Mali, a spin. Every song is complete fire; from the slow and melodic “Contradiction,” featuring Jhené Aiko to the brazen declaration of “My Life.”

The Savannah, GA native is coming off the success of his 2014 breakout album, Mali Is, which peaked at No. 2 on the Billboard R&B Album chart and was nominated for a best urban contemporary album Grammy. It boast the lead single “Beautiful,” which hit the top of the Hot Gospel Songs chart as well. Still intact on his latest project are high vibin’ and spiritually infused songs that can easily become musical mantras. The lead single “Gonna Be Alright,” produced by Salaam Remi, has a mid-tempo swag that accentuates hope, love and faith during adversity. The Transition of Mali is a clear indicator of the growth Mali Music has made from his days as a pure gospel artist to the mature man who has found his authentic voice and a consciously receptive secular audience.

Some songs I recorded are three years old, some songs I recorded are just a month before the finalization. It’s just a full picture of the transition that I had to go through in order to get there. It’s like my calendar… we covered all matters of the heart. There’s things we can dance to, there’s things we can relate to. I feel like it’s a quality album

Billboard April, 2017

The Transition of Mali also features other previously released music including “Still,” “Loved By You,” featuring Jazmine Sullivan and the previously mentioned “Contradiction,” with Jhené Aiko which appeared on Spike Lee’s 2015 Chi-Raq movie soundtrack. The ByStorm Entertainment/RCA Records released album is currently available everywhere digitally, so don’t be alarmed if you randomly run across squished faces, nodding heads and raised arms on your travels today.

Gonna Be Alright

My Life

Contradiction

Still

Worth It

Dolla

Cryin’