El
Hadji Malick Mbaye (a.k.a. As Malick) is a young emerging artist from Senegal
who performs R&B and Reggae music styles.
As a young boy, Malick was encouraged by his Grandmother and Mother to get a formal education. After completing middle school, he decided to continue his studies at the British Institute in Dakar where he learned to speak English. Malick’s goal was to understand English and use it to further his musical career.
Malick started his first musical group, TMT, in 1993 with neighborhood friends in the suburb of Thiaroye/Pikine. Later that year he joined Gestu Gui, another band from the same neighborhood.
In 1998, Malick made the decision to embark on a solo career. By the
year 2000, he had joined up with two other R&B singers, Seydiman and Carlou D to form the group Ska Blue. While working with Ska Blue, Malick’s beautiful R&B
and Reggae voice was being heard throughout Senegal. Malick’s recognition
came without having a record on the market. This led to Malick frequently
being asked to perform on other Senegalese artists’ records. Many of
the songs that featured Malick became hit singles.
In 2003, Malick was offered an opportunity to record a song for the compilation
Yaye Bagn, which was a hit in Senegal. In 2004, Malick released his long
awaited first solo album Benene Vibes. This record was Senegal’s first
official R&B
album and was named Best Solo Album of the year.
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