Maleh's much anticipated album "Step Child" is many things, chief among them it is a 12 track Neo afro soul album fueled by intuition, sensuality, and creativity brought by her own writing skills with a strong desire to incorporate her cultural roots with her urban vibe.
Songs like Step Child add unshakeable warmth of her heart and search for her own self worth as she like many young women step into the sometimes- difficult journey that is womanhood.
This isn't your typical fairy-tale with a hopeful promise of a forever after, but the story about a young girl poised and destined by song to be the next big thing to come out of Africa. Maleh's (Malehloka Mary Hlalele) musical journey began in the heart of the majestic mountain kingdom of Lesotho where she was born and raised.
The songstresses professional singing career took off during her final high school year when she joined Afro pop group Kaya which released it's debut album Kunzima, winning the Metro Fm best newcomer award in 2005. Later left Kaya to further her studies at a film college in Johannesburg, where she majored in Cinematography.
After graduating Maleh was working behind the music scenes freelancing as an event coordinator for music festivals. However it seemed it would not be long till the stage would call the songbird back.
Working for one of South Africa's most prominent Jazz festival Standard Bank Joy of Jazz. " I was most inspired by artists like Chriss Botti and Laila Hathaway that night and I knew that getting back on the stage and reviving my singing career was what I needed to do if I was going to fulfill my purpose in my life".
After a few years in corporate, this talent was back on the airwaves with hit collaborations including Dj Qness "Uzongilinda & Time",
Dj Ganyani "Not so Far" and
Dj Kent "Falling".
In a search to find her own identity Maleh has spent time working on a sound that would be the authentic representation of her true spirit.
The " Step Child " record will leave an imprint in your musical ear. A true reflection of her musical talent can be heard in her singles " Under my Skin ,"Chimsoro", Eduze Kwam and Se ke la nts'iea.
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