Makayla Oghenefejiro Oluwayimika Malaka, (born 27 June 2012) popularly known as Makayla Malaka, is a British-Nigerian singer and dancer.[1] She began her music career as a child singer, releasing her debut album age eight.[2]
Makayla Malaka | |
|---|---|
 Makayla Malaka performing | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Makayla Oghenefejiro Oluwayimika Malaka |
| Born | 27 June 2012 London, United Kingdom |
| Genres | |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter, rapper |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 2019–present |
| Website | www |
Background edit
Makayla is from Isoko North in Delta state. She was born in Camden, London, United Kingdom. She resides in Lagos, Nigeria with her parents. She is the only child of her parents.[3]
Career edit
Makayla started her career at six years old, recording her first songs. In 2020, she released her debut album titled Eight, at age eight.[4] Followed by two more albums, released the next year and the year after that; titled Nine and Ten respectively.[5][6] The song on her first album titled Grandma Told Me was remixed by Speroach,[7] while her third album had features with commediene Emmanuella Samuel and saxophonist Temilayo Abodunrin on the track titled Yes O.[8][9]
In 2022, she authored the book titled African Princess,[10] which told the story of the experience and value a young girl growing in a male-dominated Nigerian society.[11] The book was an adaptation of one of the tracks from her Sophomore album with the same name. It was co-authored by Sope Martins and was made available to schools.[12] The book was released on 27 May 2022.[13]
In an interview with The Punch, she cites her role model as Michael Jackson.[14] Mr Eazi acknowledged her work in a tweet, after the release of her debut album.[15] In 2023, she released the song Not Likely under Mr Eazi's EmPawa Africa record label.[16]
Her genre of music are children's music and afro pop, which she terms as child friendly.[17] Makayla believes that every child has a gift etched in them.[18][19] She is of the opinion that children should only be exposed to clean music.[20]
Makayla was tipped by Pulse Nigeria and the Nigerian Tribune as an artiste to look out for in the future, in 2020 and 2022 respectively.[21][22]
Discography edit
| Year | Album | Tracks |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | Eight[23] | Grandma Told Me
2:53 |
| You Can't Stop Me
2:45 | ||
| Just Dance
2:20 | ||
| Give Me Food
3:17 | ||
| Imagination
2:03 | ||
| Saturday
3:51 | ||
| Star
3:04 | ||
| Lord You Are
2:48 |
| Year | Album | Tracks |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Nine[24] | Taking Over
2:25 |
| African Princess
3:15 | ||
| Happy Birthday
2:25 | ||
| Don't Give Up
2:38 | ||
| Dreamer
3:07 | ||
| Thank You God
2:52 | ||
| Get Up and Go
3:08 | ||
| The 2020 Trees
3:35 | ||
| Older
2:50 |
| Year | Album | Tracks |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Ten[25] | I'll Be Alright
3:03 |
| The Young Shall Grow
2:54 | ||
| Jericho
3:07 | ||
| No Be Today
3:00 | ||
| Yes O!
2:34 | ||
| We Shall Win
3:04 | ||
| Sit Down
2:28 | ||
| Homework
2:46 | ||
| I'm Not A Morning Person
2:44 | ||
| Biggy Love
2:53 |
| Year | Album | Tracks |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Eleven | I'm Not Playing
1:57 |
| Hello Eleven
3:07 | ||
| I'm Coming Up
3:14 | ||
| Not Likely featuring ETwinz
2:49 | ||
| Heal The World
2:41 | ||
| Step Aside
3:08 | ||
| Strike A Pose
2:13 | ||
| Just Another Day
4:05 | ||
| So Satisfying
2:28 | ||
| Hunger Na Wa
2:36 | ||
| Praise God
3:10 |
Awards edit
She was one of the recipients of the 2022 Eko Heritage Awards where she won the Eko Celebrity Kid of the Year. The awards show held on 10 July 2022. She also performed live at the awards show.[26][27]
References edit
- ^ Blow, Baba (1 October 2019). "Makayla – Just Dance". Blow Nigeria.
- ^ Onikoyi, Ayo (6 February 2021). "Makayla Malaka: The Rise Of An Eight Year-Old Music Star". Vanguard (Nigeria).
- ^ "Makayla Malaka". Maykala Official Website. 31 December 2021.
- ^ Onikoyi, Ayo (4 July 2020). "Unveiling Kid Sensation Makayla". Vanguard (Nigeria).
- ^ "Nine-Year-Old Makayla Malaka Releases Second Studio Album". The Guardian (Nigeria). 4 July 2021.
- ^ Ihekire, Chinonso (27 August 2022). "Makayla Makala, Melodies Of A Superstar At Ten". The Guardian (Nigeria).
- ^ "Grandma Told Me (Speroach Remix)". Boomplay. 27 December 2020.
- ^ "Makayla Malaka Features Emmanuella And Child Saxophonist, Temilayo Abodunrin On New Single, 'Yes O'". Nigerian Tribune. 10 December 2021.
- ^ Olajide, Samuel; Sanusi, Abiodun; Enenaite, Blessing (10 December 2021). "Makayla Malaka Features Emmanuella And Child Saxophonist, Temilayo Abodunrin On New Single, 'Yes O'". The Punch.
- ^ Malaka, Makayla (2022). The African Princess. Lagos. ISBN 9789789915705.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "Makayla Releases First Book, Set To Drop Third Album". Nigerian Tribune. 27 May 2022.
- ^ Eze, Chinelo (27 May 2022). "Makayla Malaka Debuts Book 'The African Princess On Children's Day". The Guardian (Nigeria).
- ^ Malaka, Makayla (2022). The African Princess. Lagos. ISBN 9789789915705.
{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - ^ "I Want To Be Like Michael Jackson, Says 7-year-old Singer, Makayla". The Punch. 26 October 2019.
- ^ Anokam, Sam (1 August 2020). "Mr. Eazi Endorses Kid Sensation, Makayla". The Nation (Nigeria).
- ^ Ige, Rotimi (26 May 2023). "Makayla Malaka releases new music under Mr Eazi's EmPawa Africa". Tribune Online. Retrieved 18 November 2023.
- ^ Okoye, Rita (5 July 2020). "My Kind Of Music Is Standard, Filled With Morals – Makayla". The Sun (Nigeria).
- ^ Ige, Tofarati (7 February 2021). "Don't Give Up, Makayla Advises Children". The Punch.
- ^ "Makayla Malaka - Don't Give Up". Bella Naija. 2 February 2021.
- ^ Ige, Tofarati (5 July 2020). "Children Should Listen To Clean Songs – Malaka". The Punch.
- ^ Attah, John (21 September 2020). "Generation Next: 4 Of The Most-promising Future Nigerian Superstars". Pulse Nigeria.
- ^ Ge, Rotimi (25 February 2022). "Kid Entertainers To Watch In 2022". Nigerian Tribune.
- ^ "Boomplay".
- ^ "Malaka Releases Second Studio Album". This Day. 27 June 2021.
- ^ "Makayla Malaka". Spotify. Retrieved 3 September 2022.
- ^ Edwin, Usoboh (24 June 2022). "Eko Heritage Awards Back For Second Edition, Unveils List Of Honourary [sic] Awardees". New Telegraph. Retrieved 1 September 2022.
- ^ Olawale, Gabriel (11 July 2022). "Eko Heritage Awards Holds Second Edition: Honours Over 25 Persons". Vanguard (Nigeria).