Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jelani Malik. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Jelani thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Do you think your parents have had a meaningful impact on you and your journey?

Wow. This question is so great. One thing I can say my parents did right was making sure I was exposed to creative outlets from a young age. Both of my parents are musicians of two different spectrums (one is a gospel singer, the other a part of the legendary hip hop group Public Enemy). By the time I was 8 I had already been around so many legends in the music business. From a young age, I never felt like it was impossible to pursue music as a career because I saw examples of successful people doing it and doing it well.

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 Malik. Born and raised in Long Island, NY, and have been in Orlando for a little over 10 years. I am a Christian artist that dabbles in a mix of genres from Pop to Hip Hop. Some may be turned off by the “Christian” label but I think it helps to be upfront in getting to know the real person behind the music. I talk about things that we can all relate to, specifically the highs and lows of life. The only difference in my music is that I provide the solution I found for me personally, which is Jesus Christ. One of the things that I’m most proud of is becoming a father in 2021. Fatherhood has given me a whole new perspective of life and has definitely given me more to write about.

For you, what’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative?

The most rewarding aspect, in my opinion, is connecting with the people who are listening to my music. Hearing stories of how your words and creative ideas have helped people in so many different ways is life-changing. You realize quickly that you have to use your creativity for a higher purpose than your own gratification.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

Give creatives constructive criticism (heavy emphasis on constructive). When creatives ask for feedback on their content, they’re most likely looking for more than “that’s cool” or “that sucks”. Provide value that can help them get better. Depression is a real thing for creatives and one comment/conversation can be the difference between a long battle of depression and actual progress.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jelanimalik.com
• Instagram: @jelanimalik
• Youtube: youtube.com/jelanimalik
• Other: TikTok: @jelani.malik

Image Credits
Shaun J Media