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Prince Malachi is one of the most important new roots singers to have emerged in many years. His musical skills place him on a part with any of his Jamaican counterparts, and in many respects surpass all but the very best of them. A gifted writer, singer, instrumentalist and producer, his songs are distinguished by their Rastafarian message of love, peace and unity, along with some inspired social commentary. Widely tipped for an international breakthrough, his recordings are shared between Jamaican label Xterminator, his own Mount Ararat imprint and Stingray Records although he’s recorded singles for Beres Hammond’s Harmony House label, Solgie Hamilton, Humal, and Jetstar Records amongst many others. Inspired by artists such as Bob Marley, Burning Spear, and The Abyssinians and with music coursing through his family bloodline, it was no surprise that one day he should follow their example. With invaluable experience as a band musician and sound system MC behind him, it’s his undeniably impressive track record as a singer that now has reggae music’s worldwide army of fans, DJ’s and media representatives clamouring for more.
A dedicated Rastaman who specialises in strictly roots and culture topics, he has built his career upon solid foundations. Together with French producer Bruno Wiener, he formed the Mount Ararat label in the mid nineties soon after embracing the Rastafarian faith. This association was to yield his highly acclaimed debut album Jah Light, a beautifully packaged set comprised entirely of original songs and featuring extensive live instrumentation. Recorded in London, England, the range of material encompasses nyahbinghi chants, hefty steppers and some modern roots anthems, including Step By Step, Deliver Us, Place To Be, Jah Light itself and the superb Chronic.
In the summer of 1997, renowned JA sax player Dean Fraser recommended him to producer Fatis Burrel of Xterminator Records. After inviting him to Jamaica to record, Fatis released the debut Xterminator single Love Jah at the beginning of 1998. In March that year Malachi performed alongside Luciano, Sizzla, Mikey General and Louis Culture as part of the Hail the Kings of Glory tour. The rapturous welcome given to Love Jah subsequently paved the way for several other popular Xterminator's single throughout 1998/99 including Ready for Them, Fire is Blazing and Healing in the Streets. The reality in the latter song created such an impact that highly regarded Jamaican director Ed Wallace produced a music video for the song. It became Coca Cola Music video of the week for many weeks on Jamaican National TV. All four songs were to appear on his debut Xterminator album, Prophet, Priest and King, released in the summer of 1999 to wide spread acclaim. Inspiring comparisons to Dennis Brown and Luciano on account of his warm, relaxed vocal style and unerring instinct for memorable conscious lyrics, Prince Malachi was reborn as a leading light of the Jamaican music fraternity, with the visionary qualities demonstrated on the Jah Light album, now being transposed to some of the toughest rhythm tracks in contemporary Reggae music. Now permanently residing in Jamaica, Malachi also began to produce tracks at Xterminator for LMS, Turbulence, Morgan Heritage, Sizzla, Leroy Sibbles and others.
In February 2000, RAS Records in America released the second Fatis produced album Watch Over We. This follow up set finds him delivering more roots and culture material in a wide variety of musical settings, albeit rarely straying from the heavy weight reggae roots sound that he and Xterminator are famed for. There are songs here too that could easily be played on mainstream radio given the adequate exposure: the peerless Meditation Time and We’ll Be Strong among them. Released after supporting superstar Lauryn Hill alongside Sizzla and Morgan Heritage in Trinidad, this album confirmed his position at the forefront of modern reggae music. During an extensive Caribbean tour in 2000, Malachi performed alongside Glen Washington, US Rap artists Naughty by Nature, Vegas, Turbulence and many more. On return to Jamaica his home of almost three years now he began an album for Beres Hammond’s Harmony House label, which is still yet to be completed.
In 2001, Prince Malachi returned to England to finish constructing his own studio facility and begin his second eagerly awaited album for Mount Ararat. Drawing upon his experiences in Jamaica where he has worked with many of the leading musicians, the album being recorded between France, England and Jamaica promises to not only emulate the success of Jah Light, but even surpass it. In the same year, Malachi performed with Sizzla on his long awaited tour of the U.K. and then embarked upon a six-week tour of America, where his commanding stage presence, rich powerful voice and lyrics, made him an instant hit with the American public. This tour confirmed to the music media that Prince Malachi was now an artist who could capture and hold an audience with some of the best entertainers in the industry.
In 2002 Prince Malachi recorded many singles for Jet Star, Humal and countless other producers. In this year he started working with brothers Carl and Ray Mc Leod of Stingray Records and began recording an album at their West London Studio. Malachi also performed in Switzerland, in the U.K. supporting Beres Hammond at the Hammersmith Apollo, in France and Italy where he was received warmly. In December 2002, he was once again in Jamaica where he began song writing with Bobby Digital and building tracks alongside renowned bass player/musician Christopher Meredith.
On return in 2003, Malachi widened his horizon and began recording for some of the top U.K. Dub producers such as Rootshitek, Disciples, Falasha, WSP and Blakamix, the latter with whom he began recording an album slated for release in 2006. He also completed the album now entitled Runaway Slave for Stingray Records. Later that year following an unfortunate incident Prince Malachi took leave of the industry and returned in May 2005. Whilst out of the public sight, he was not out of their minds as a string of singles were steadily released throughout 2004 from many producers following Stingrays’ excellent Runaway Slave album, released by Jetstar in March 2004.
Since May 2005 Malachi has recorded much material for a handful of producers such as Cousins, Mad Professor, Maximum Sounds “Frenchie”and others. A second album for Stingray is in the final stages of completion at this time and he has also been producing tracks for various record labels in Europe. He has worked alongside Fred Locks, Macka B, Michael Prophet, Louie Culture, Queen Omega, Frankie Paul, Mafia and Fluxy, Earl Sixteen, Eek A Mouse, Junior Kelly and many more. His studio now up and running, he is currently recording and producing some of reggae music’s young stars, and of course, recording some of his own recognizable brand of roots, rock, reggae. The best is yet to come.
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