TALK TO US SPECIAL: KEZIAH MALLAM.

On Today’s episode we spoke to KEZIAH MALLAM, an original talent with her own sound called ‘Audio Therapy’. She’s really amazing, listen to TROUBLE and get what we mean. We trust you’d love it

WHERE SHE COMES FROM

You’ve dubbed yourself “The Audio Therapist”—what sparked that identity, and how did your early environment influence it?

It came from me describing how my voice sounds and what I want my music to do for people and myself. Anyone who knows me knows my life has been hella eventful from a young age, so music and God have been my therapy through that. My voice has a slight whisper to it at times. Like air. You can hear it in harmonies and layering. That felt like therapy to me and some of my people when I first started. It still does. So Audio Therapy has been a movement of bringing peace & therapy to life’s craziness.

Growing up between cultures, how has being British-Nigerian shaped your voice and sound as an artist?

I’m very experimental(😂). I remember my first manager saying something like I just create whatever comes to my head and it’s so true. Growing up in South London, Garage, Drill, both UK & US R&B/Soul as well as other genres became a part of me. Now, moving to Abuja for high school in 2010 put me on a different sound. That became a part of me too. My music reflects how much my ear has been stretched. My beats can have the most unlikely sound pairings, then I’ll come and throw the softest R&B/ Soul vocal on top. I’m sonically free, and I love that. 

You spent a whole year releasing self-produced records monthly (in 2022). What did that chapter teach you about discipline and self-trust?

Man, it taught me that one of my greatest gifts in life is my ability to learn. It’s also taught me that the results of consistency are addictive (in a good way). I just grew to understand that the only thing stopping me was myself, and God has given me everything I need to succeed. I always say this. There’s no reason I should fail. God showed me in 2022 that this is just the beginning.

Who were the first artists or producers that made you believe music could be more than just entertainment?

Errrm, I think some of my friends are Osayuki, the producer duo Happyboy, my brother Beezyx, my sister RnB Princess, and my good friend UCEE. 

As someone who also crafts for other artists, what’s the most rewarding part of being behind the scenes in vocal production?

It’s hearing my ideas through the ears, tones, and pronunciations of others. There’s something beautiful about hearing/ seeing something you’ve created live through others. It’s like it multiples its life or further validates its existence. 

Your goal is to merge Afrocentric vibes with global sounds. What unique elements do you incorporate to achieve this fusion?

It’s the sounds. I try to evoke emotions with my music. When making a song, I try to experiment a lot with different sounds. I want my music to go beyond boundaries, so I infuse a lot of elements into the sound. At the end of the day, I want everybody to feel connected when they listen to my records, be it from the melodies, lyrics, drums, guitars, etc.

What’s a memory from your journey so far—on stage or in the studio—that affirmed you’re on the right path?

Felabration last year with my band. I did a live show every month, supported by my management, and at the start of the year, I told my band guys I wanted us to do Felabration that year. They believed in me from the start and said we’ll do it. We did it and we did amazing. I met with the Kutis, and my friend Nedo made it memorable. It just reminded me that God is only getting started with us.