Kortney Jamaal Pollard (born January 12, 1988), known professionally as Mali Music,[2] is an American singer-songwriter and record producer from Savannah, Georgia. His first two studio albums, The Coming (2008) and The 2econd Coming (2009) were released independently through ByStorm Records and met with critical acclaim.[3] In 2011, he was the first inspirational artist to be part of BET's "Music Matters" series.[4] He signed with RCA Records[5] to release his first major-label single "Beautiful" the following year,[6] which preceded his third album and major label debut, Mali Is... (2014).[7] The album received a Grammy Award nomination for Best Urban Contemporary Album.[8]

Mali Music
Birth nameKortney Jamaal Pollard
Also known asJamaal Pollard
Born (1988-01-12) January 12, 1988 (age 36)[1]
Phoenix, Arizona, U.S.
OriginSavannah, Georgia, U.S.
GenresGospel, R&B, hip hop
Occupation(s)Singer-songwriter, record producer
Instrument(s)Vocals, piano, guitar
Years active2007–present
Labels
Websitewww.malimusicofficial.com

Career edit

Pollard was born in Phoenix, Arizona. He learned to play the piano at age 5 and at age 11 was active in the ministry of music in his church.[9] In 2011, he signed a short-lived contract with Akon's label Konvict Muzik.[10]

The 2econd Coming was released on October 20, 2009, Ready Aim & Beautiful on February 26, 2013 and Mali Is... on June 17, 2014.

Discography edit

Studio albums edit

List of studio albums, with selected details and peak chart position
Title Album details Peak chart position
US US
R&B/HH
US R&B
The Coming
The 2econd Coming
  • Released: October 20, 2009
  • Label: Bystorm
  • Format: CD, digital download
Mali Is...
  • Released: June 18, 2014
  • Label: Bystorm, RCA
  • Format: CD, digital download
16 2
The Transition of Mali
  • Released: June 2, 2017
  • Label: Bystorm, RCA
  • Format: CD, digital download
117 49 14
The Book of Mali
  • Released: August 14, 2020
  • Label: K Approved, Provident
  • Format: CD, digital download

Awards and nominations edit

Year Awards Category Nominated work Result
2013 GMA Dove Awards[11] Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year "Tell the World" (with Lecrae) Won
2015 Grammy Awards[12] Best Urban Contemporary Album Mali Is... Nominated
Best Gospel Performance/Song "I Believe" Nominated
BET Awards[13] Best Gospel Artist Himself Nominated
2018 NAACP Image Awards[14] Outstanding Song, Contemporary "Gonna Be Alright" Nominated
Grammy Awards[15] Best Traditional R&B Performance "Still" Nominated
2021 Grammy Awards[16] Best Gospel Performance/Song "Movin' On"(with Jonathan McReynolds) Won

References edit

  1. ^ "Biography: AllMusic". allmusic.com. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  2. ^ Dougall, Dreux (October 29, 2011). "5 Questions with Gospel Star Mali Music on His Debut & Meeting Akon". Essence.com. Retrieved July 23, 2014.
  3. ^ "Bobby Jones Gospel Welcomes Mali Music". BET. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  4. ^ "Mali Music Debuts New Video & Single 'The Job Experience' on BET". uGospel.com. October 18, 2011. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  5. ^ "Mali Music Signs With RCA". Bonnerfide Radio. March 5, 2013. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  6. ^ "Mali Music Brings 'Beautiful' To 'Queen Latifah Show'". ratedrnb.com. March 25, 2014. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  7. ^ Patrick, Kris (March 20, 2014). "Mali Music Performs on American Idol at the Request of Jennifer Lopez". Pathmegazine.com. Retrieved April 3, 2014.
  8. ^ "Grammys 2015: And the Nominees Are…". Billboard.
  9. ^ Rimmer, Mike (January 11, 2011). "Mali Music: Singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Georgia". Cross Rhythms. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  10. ^ "Akon Signs Gospel Rapper Mali Music To Konvict Label". Vibe. November 1, 2011. Retrieved July 24, 2014.
  11. ^ "Dove Awards Announce 2013 Winners [FULL LIST]". Path MEGAzine. October 16, 2013. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  12. ^ "Grammys 2015: Complete list of winners and nominees". Los Angeles Times. February 8, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  13. ^ "BET Awards 2015: Nicki Minaj, Chris Brown lead nominees with 6 nods each". Entertainment Weekly. May 18, 2015. Retrieved November 6, 2017.
  14. ^ "NAACP Image Awards: Full List of Winners". The Hollywood Reporter. January 29, 2018. Retrieved July 22, 2018.
  15. ^ "60th GRAMMY Awards: Full Nominees List". The Recording Academy. November 28, 2017. Retrieved January 29, 2018.
  16. ^ "63rd Annual GRAMMY Awards | 2020 GRAMMYs | GRAMMY.com".

External links edit