Premiered by Noisey earlier today, British songstress Mahalia has unveiled her brand new single “Hold On” featuring Compton rapper Buddy.
Produced by Nana Rogues (Drake) and Jay Prince, “Hold On” is a perfect example of the truly relatable song writing that Mahalia has become so well known for.
The track; a rich slice of R&B and Pop-flecked jam, sprinkled with originality and pushed into the present day 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.
“Hold On was a tune that needed to come out of me for a long time and it finally did when I stumbled upon an old flame of mine in my home town. It’s a long story so I won’t go into it… however, I originally wrote “Hold On” in the studio with Jay Prince. I then had a little session with ‘Buddy’ during his recent trip to London and he came at me with the geezas perspective…! Have a listen – hope you enjoy.”
Mahalia released her debut single “Sober” back in July, which to date has amassed over 2 million streams, and saw her grace the Berlin online platform COLOR’s last month, where her performance of “Sober” accumulated over 250k views in just five days (link). She subsequently sold-out her first London show and further announced a second at Hoxton Bar & Grill on Wednesday 15th of November,
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 for so many years 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” – and last year’s genre-flipping mixtape “Diary of Me”. But for Mahalia, it feels as if she’s just getting started.
Mahalia performs the following UK shows in October & November
Sat 28th Oct Headrow House, Leeds
Sun 29th Oct The Bodega, Nottingham
Tue 31st Oct Studio 2, Liverpool
Mon 13th Nov Soup Kitchen, Manchester
Tue 14th Nov SWX 2, Bristol,
