I must admit that the month of February was fun. Weekly Music Commentary celebrated Black History Month by featuring four fantastic figures of music history. It gave me an opportunity to flex my muscles as a music historian, something I don’t do too often. Most of you readers out there possibly had fun during the month as well, for different reasons likely. However, a turn of the calendar has changed things drastically. March has brought COVID-19 to the attention of the US and the Western world without slowing one bit. The virus has pushed us into a corner, and changed our lives – possibly forever. It has slowed us down just enough to enjoy the arts, and that includes all kinds of music.
I encourage all readers to catch up on you favorite artists. Examine Weekly Music Commentary and see what you might have missed over the past months or years. Right now, take a look at another young artist who is making a mark on the world of music. This week we chose to feature a wonderful singer/songwriter that goes by the name Mahalia.
Mahalia Burkmar born May 1, 1998, known mononymously as Mahalia. She is from Syston, Charnwood, in Leicestershire. Her father is British-Irish, and her mother is Jamaican. Mahalia exhibited talent as early as eight years old, as she wrote her first song. While growing up in Syston, Leicestershire, Mahalia was introduced to the world of music by her parents — her mother was the lead singer in a band, while her dad assisted with backing vocals, guitar and songwriting. “In my head I knew, even if it wasn’t going to be singing, I knew that I wanted to be on stage in some way or another,” she recalls.
Her being named Mahalia has great musical significance. For many young music fans out there, a great gospel singer named Mahalia Jackson set a high bar for most singers coming after her, but especially the singer who shares her name. An important part of the civil rights movement, Mahalia Jackson sang at some of the most important events in history. She sang at John F Kennedy’s inauguration, the civil rights March on Washington in 1963, and Martin Luther King’s funeral in 1968. There were many more important events where Jackson was asked to sing, but maybe another time when I can provide an entire post to discuss her life and career.
Getting back to young Mahalia, she first seriously started songwriting at the age of twelve. She explained, “I had this big crush on a boy in my middle school and I remember having all these feelings literally bunched up inside me. So, when it came to writing Let The World See The Light it was really a case of getting everything out. I think it was after that that I really discovered my love for writing. I’d like to think that I’m quite an open person and I’ve always tried to be as honest as I can. I think that’s so important when I’m writing.”
Mahalia signed a deal with a major record label at age thirteen. When I learned of this fact, I also realized this is where it is good to have parents who understand music and have music business insight. Mahalia also possessed an awareness not normally found in young teenagers. “It’s been so important to me to finish school and get my qualifications. I really wanted to give myself and my music time to develop and grow. It’s been an amazing four years. I got to do all the normal school girl things; hang with friends and go to parties, which is cool. It just meant that I never felt like I was missing out.”
I must admit I did not know much about Mahalia before starting this post. It took a little more research than normal, but I enjoyed her music and her personality. After viewing some of her music videos her endearing personality was very apparent. However, I really took notice as I watched some of her interviews.
Right away Mahalia answered questions like someone a little older than twenty-one. Maybe that is her in a capsule. She has what many call an old soul. Or, a more mature soul. Answering questions like a young person, but very endearing and entertaining. Moreover, she answered every question on an array of subjects. Nothing very controversial, just straight-forward, honest answers. Much like her music.
Last year Mahalia released her debut studio album, Love and Compromise and it is a winner. Love and Compromise is a nostalgic project: the songs recall the turn-of-the-century glory days of R&B-pop, where female singers and male rappers came together for now-iconic collaborations. R&B’s supposed mortality is always in question — most recently, Diddy announced plans to “bring true R&B back.” But Mahalia thinks that R&B doesn’t need to be revived, highlighting rising artists like Daniel Caesar, Lucky Daye, Summer Walker and H.E.R.
I happen to agree with Mahalia. I have featured more than a few R&B artists of today who are capable musicians delivering some classic R&B. What has happened to R&B has happened to music overall. Time causes music to evolve and creative artists push their craft into new directions. I think you have some of that happening, as well as a few doing music on a more traditional level. This is something that I have tried to help many fans of old school R&B understand. Yes, there is music being made by some good young artists, but you have to give them a chance.
Many have given Mahalia a chance in the UK, but in the US the young singer is just beginning to make her way. That’s the exciting part of her journey. “I definitely feel like I’m doing this for people who are from small places [like my hometown],” she says. “It’s not an easy thing to deal with when you’re from a regional area like Leicester, particularly because everything tends to happen in London. So I really think it’s an important thing to talk about and be proud of.”
Whenever I feature an artist so young there is no question that more music is on the horizon. Is Mahalia ready to conquer the entire world? We will see in time. I do believe she has the awareness to know her potential audience and what they want to hear. Therefore, I believe more music is on the way to everyone. Are we ready?