Malachi is ready to shine bright like a diamond. The son of a reggae artist, the Toronto-based Canadian singer-songwriter, who also raps, grew up listening to R&B greats like Mary J. Blige, Beyoncé and Aaliyah, while also performing in his grandmother’s church. He premiered his debut single “Right Now” earlier this year and followed up soon after with the release of “San Fernando Wine.” “Yeah, I’m a singing nigga, but this ain’t no pop style,” warns the 21-year-old rhymer in a freestyle he delivers for XXL’s What I Do series.

“Drip got me sleeping with the fishes/Call me Audemar P, I was watching for my niggas/I’m that man to have all that power/I’m the one that got your girl singing in the shower,” Malachi raps before switching his flow up.

Prior to capping off his freestyle, the emerging native of Withby, Ontario reflected on his come up. “Contemplating pushing weight down in my grandma basement/Now I bring a lot of models to a private location/God’s graces, yeah/Good gracious/Skin like chai tea, baby, but I’m not basic/Only like a blueface, they calling me racist,” he spits.

Signed to Republic Records, Malachi is managed by 21 Entertainment, the imprint listing R&B veteran Tamia and Alessia Cara, the Grammy Award-winning Def Jam artist, as clients. “I understand how music is such a great way to cope with any feelings—good or bad,” says the young artist. “I want to make music that connects with people.”

Check out Malachi as he stunts like it’s a habit for XXL’s What I Do series.

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