We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jelani Maliik. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jelani below.
Hi Jelani, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a project that’s meant a lot to you?
As of recently, my latest album “Catch 22” has carried a lot of meaning for me. The creative process served as a form of therapy because it permitted me to be completely free in my emotional expression. Within the time I worked on “Catch 22”, I wrote close to +40 songs within the alternative/indie rock genre. Coming from a background of being primarily a hip-hop artist, the new sonic frequencies pushed my songwriting & vocal ability to a different level. I feel passionately about the full body work; taking a little less than 2 years to fully produce.
I am extremely grateful to have a talented team to work alongside. The album features production by InSession Productions, Grayskies, and Dan Darnawan. Many of the songs on the record are accompanied by guitarist/musician Jess Reau. The album also features vocal features from artists – Vaze Haze, Marley B, Debo Oso, Kid Demon, and Zak Nevers. Being able to collaborate with inspiring creatives definitely reflected in the quality of the final product. I do not believe the composition of the album would be the same without the contribution of everyone coming together & the enriching experiences that led to each song.
“Catch 22” is currently available on all streaming platforms, with multiple music videos currently on Youtube. The intention of this album was to create a body of work to transcend time & resonate universally across multiple generations. I feel as though art is the universal language, and the emotions attached to art are incredibly powerful. My goal as an artist, was to offer a brand new sonic space within the music realm that offers people permission to be vulnerable, real, and transparent.
Jelani, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My name is Jelani Maliik – I am a creative director, recording & performing artist, and owner of multimedia company “MVNIFVST LLC”. I am known professionally under the moniker “Knightheart”, in which in my career have been graced with opportunities to tour the region, network with nationally acclaimed artists, and build a brand/movement from the ground up.
The journey for me really begins at an early age. I began my career as a performing & recording artist at 13. My desire to do music really came from a deep need for self-expression. At the time, my family was homeless & undergoing some extreme poverty circumstances. Being so young & not quite being able to process what I was experiencing, I used music as an outlet to process my emotions and articulate the deeper feelings that were left suppressed.
Although I am a child of the modern-aged music culture, I really started my journey from the roots. I began running the concert circuit at 13 & began selling mixtapes around the same time. Due to the fact I was chronically homeless for years, my academic career gradually became harder to uphold so all of my energy went into the music. I would sell tickets to the kids at the local high-schools, while struggling to eat or find somewhere to sleep at night. My life became circulated around being an artist at a very young age.
My passion for the arts evolved through time into a professional career. Being so young while struggling financially, I had to discover new ways to monetise & create value for my artistic endeavours. I started to distribute my music on digital streaming platforms, set up merchandising outlets, and hosting concerts in my local area. Perceiving my passion as a business instead of a hobby shifted the way I conducted myself in the industry, allowing my to open more opportunities to grow. In 2020, I founded my multi-media company & lifestyle brand “MVNIFVST LLC” – where my team creates inspirational & creative content and we work to provide opportunities for artists to gain exposure.
In my journey as “The Knightheart”, I have released 2 full length albums, 2 eps, multiple mixtapes, and a plethora of singles. I have been able to collaborate with artists & producers across the world; reaching demographics of people from all over. As a performer, I have been able to tour the region opening for independent artists such as Dax, Dizzy Wright, Montana of 300, Beanz, Whitney Peyton, etc. It has been an incredible journey so far, and I am incredibly grateful for the support from my fanbase that has inspired me to get here. We are just now getting started, and I hope to continue to share good music, connect with new people, & inspire others to MVNIFVST their dreams!
Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?
First and foremost, I would say I am a student of the game. Being a multi-faceted creative, I study both the history & technical side of the art industry and the current climate of what is trending. I believe is very important to find people who have done things you aspire to accomplish, or are successful within their respective field to study. Independent artists/entrepreneurs such as Russ, Berner, Dizzy Wright, Futuristic, Rexx Life Raj have all provided inspiration for me along the journey.
I’d highly advise anyone pursuing the independent artist lifestyle to gain knowledge over business. It is pivotal for growth that you consider yourself a business & your art a product – as it shifts your mentality and allows you to apply an entrepreneurial mindset to your work flow. Reading books regarding business ownership, leadership, music ownership, digital marketing, and branding are all major assets outside of strictly creating the art itself.
Self-care is also incredibly important for preventing burn-out. I frequently read books that offer me insight for my mental and spiritual well-being. The information you consume plays a huge part and the energy you carry. Listening to inspirational podcasts, watching motivational interviews, and reading mentally stimulating books can all increase your productivity.
Do you think there is something that non-creatives might struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can shed some light?
I think one thing that is sometimes overlooked by non-creatives as the pure amount of self-belief that is required for any creative to be “successful” in their field. It can already be incredibly difficult as an artist to have the confidence to pull from their internal spaces to manifest inspiration through their mediums. Once you add the element of trying to “sell” or “market” that art, it then requires a whole other layer of faith that someone will see actual value you in that art enough to spend their currency.
The reality of being an artist is it can take a long time to build a sustainable financial income from your art. That basically means that once you put yourself out there, you’re going to receive a lot of “no’s” and sometimes people who you thought would support you won’t. The lifestyle of an artist can be incredibly discouraging and that’s why people who have a desire to be creative are often afraid to show their gifts to the world. It can be heartbreaking to have someone look at something you created and not see value, when you worked so hard to make your art.
For all non-creatives, please be a support system to the creative people around you. Whether your friend sings, or your child likes to draw – cultivate and inspire those people. Give creatives their roses and remind them of their value. Creatives build the world we experience everyday. The architecture of your neighbourhood, the music playing in the stores, the paintings at Walmart – they are all because an artist believed in them self enough to manifest their ideas. You can be the difference in that person believing in them self.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mvnifvst.com
- Instagram: @theknightheart
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TheKnightheart
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/c/ManifestMusic
Image Credits
Empirical Affair Photos Luna Day Media Poetic Python J Davies Photography