UB Exclusive: Stream Malachi Rivers New EP “The Other I” – Available Friday on iTunes

Malachi, who adds some def poetry to the brew. One phrase that sticks in my head is ‘the rumbling of a djembe on a rooftop, as Africanisms make more cash crops and the beat doesn’t stop. It goes on and on and on…’ Yes it does.” – NPR

Malachi Rivers is a New York City based rapper, poet, and actor whose lyrical soulfulness and avant-garde music making has earned national and international acclaim. A native of Maryland, Malachi cultivated a strong following in D.C.’s metropolitan music and spoken word scene before moving to New York City where his career quickly blossomed and he became a regular in the city’s staple music venues, including the Nuyorican Poets Cafe and SOB’s.

Malachi has recorded and toured with Grammy nominated jazz musician Marcus Strickland, who asked Malachi to be the sole voice in his “Twi-Life” group and record the group’s debut album Open Reel Deck, which was released on Strick Muzik. Open Reel Deck generated heavy buzz when it was released in January 2007 and Malachi became a media darling, earning nods around the country. The Village Voice touted Malachi as being able to persuade you with his lyrical abilities, writing: “Malachi recites and cajoles over a state of the art jazz band.” The Denver Post likened him to the great jazz and soul singer poet Gil Scott-Heron. Shortly after the release of Open Reel Deck, Malachi toured with the “Twi-Life” collective, which performed at New York City’s legendary Blue Note Jazz Club and subsequently joined forces with a rotating collective of artists for a North American and European tour.

During this period, Malachi released his debut single “Cloud 9”, which became an online favorite, and starred in two independent films Scrolls the Book of Life Part 1 and 2. He also ramped up to launch a solo project, which he released in the summer of 2012 to much buzz. The debut EP, Stereo Sound Escape, became a much talked about EP, anchored by its lead single “A New World Part II – The Schizo Speaks” featuring HBO’s True Blood star Nelsan Ellis (Lafayette). Leading hip-hop site AllHipHop.com called Malachi “a throwback b-boy with a dramatic monologue.”

After a few singles and two music videos in between, Malachi, returns with the conceptual EP The Other I, his most revealing and poignant work yet. Malachi teamed up with his long time collaborating producer Brandon D’lux to create a musical body of work that introduces you to a different part of Malachi’s personality on each song. The EP boasts an impressive list of collaborations including an emotional and soulful collaboration with Lorenzo Owens (Oprah’s Pop Star) on the song “What We Had”.

But, The Other I is just one piece of Malachi’s fast-growing artistic empire, which also includes several music placements on TV One’s new web-series Love Handles, collaborations with Latin Grammy nominated artist Tamela Hedstrom, and new movie and web-series roles.

Malachi surely is an artist to watch in the coming years.

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UB Exclusive: Stream The New EP “The Other I”
AVAILABLE FRIDAY JULY 24TH!