We recently connected with malia dishon and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, malia thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your creative career sooner or later?

I look at phases of life as stepping stones, and each one has something valuable to offer. So while I wish I started songwriting sooner, it unlocked in me at the time it needed to. When I was working in social media and marketing, that’s what I needed to focus on at the time. And I learned a lot that is now helpful to me as an artist.

I always knew that I wanted to work in music, but I didn’t initially know what I would do. In 2007–2009, when MySpace and Facebook first gained popularity among my demographic, I began to realize how businesses and artists should utilize social media to interact with fans, expand their audiences, and promote their music. My mom’s colleague needed help growing the fan base for one of his acts, so I created a contest to increase their following. In the summer of 2009, I graduated from high school, and soon after, I connected with my mom’s close friends, Earl and Denise Klugh. I told them a bit about my social media interests and work, and they hired me to run social media for Earl and their festival, Weekend of Jazz! I worked with them throughout college and for many years afterward. I actually still work with them today as the Creative Director for Weekend of Jazz. After I graduated from college, I connected with LVRN and Raury on Twitter, having told them that we had sent my Uncle, Dre (André 3000), Raury’s song “God’s Whisper.” The very next day, they all came to my house for dinner! A year later, after maintaining a friendship with them, I started working as Raury’s social media manager. As LVRN grew, they hired me to work with all their clients. I then became the social media manager for 6lack, DRAM, Westside Boogie, and eventually Summer Walker. I was promoted to Sr. Marketing Director in 2019 and oversaw the marketing for Summer Walker’s debut album, Over It. During my time at LVRN, I was exposed to the business side of music and even considered roles I hadn’t previously considered, such as directing or creative directing. I had the opportunity to explore directing while at LVRN, and I directed the music videos “Fly” for Raury and “Stretch You Out” for Summer Walker. After the “Stretch You Out” video, I realized I really loved directing and could see myself doing this full-time. In 2020, I decided to return to working for myself and became a full-time creative. This opportunity opened many doors for me, and I’ve since directed projects for many artists, including videos for Latto featuring GloRilla, Kelly Rowland, Tems, and more! Also, I’ve had the opportunity to be the Creative Director for artists like Masego, Lola Brooke, Deante Hitchcock, and Summer Walker’s label, Ghetto Earth Records, just to name a few. Creativity unfolds in me in layers because I began exploring songwriting after a couple of years of directing and creative directing. What really unlocked it in me was the passing of my great friend and family member, Simon Illa, in 2022. I used songwriting as a tool to help me heal and process my grief. I continued writing that year, and after a trip to Wireless Festival in London, I wrote my first song, “King Of Lies.” I released it on August 16, 2024!

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I come from a family with deep musical roots in Southern and hip-hop culture. My mom, Dee Dee Murray, is a film and music executive, and my dad, Ray Murray, is co-founder of Organized Noize and the Dungeon Family. Growing up with my parents as part of the Dungeon Family influenced my life in so many ways. It truly showed me firsthand what was possible and that achieving your dreams can absolutely be a reality. I loved how they all did it as a unified effort. It showed me that there is so much power in community and collective creativity.

I’m proud that I’ve been able to find my own creative lane while still honoring and being inspired by my roots. I love that I started my music career working in social media and then marketing, and later moved into directing and creative directing. After a few years of expanding as a visual artist, I began to create music. I believe that my journey to becoming an artist has helped me become a more well-rounded and knowledgeable artist. Because I not only know how to write a great song, I also know how to create the world in which my music lives. I can also come up with ideas to market myself, write my own video treatments or mood boards, and I know how to clearly explain my vision.

My music is refreshing, nostalgic, inventive, affirming, real, and FUN. Music needs to be more FUN and free. We need more light and joy in this world, and I’m bringing it, along with some sass, of course. I am also empowering my fans to be themselves, speak their minds, and live their truth. I used to be afraid to say things that were on my mind. I was out here trying to spare the feelings of others, but I ended up suppressing so much inside myself. Now, in my music, I say whatever I feel. It is my safe space to release. I hope to inspire others to use their creativity to release as well!

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

I love putting ideas on paper and seeing them come to life. It’s such a fulfilling feeling, and I don’t think I’ll ever get over it! And if the idea comes out better than I initially imagined, that’s even better! It’s also really rewarding to see people loving my ideas or singing the words to my songs, because I’m ultimately making music because I like to do it, and I need to do it for me, not to be liked by people. So the fact that people like it means a lot to me. It’s like a cherry on top.

Is there something you think non-creatives will struggle to understand about your journey as a creative? Maybe you can provide some insight – you never know who might benefit from the enlightenment.

I think it’s sometimes hard for people to grasp how creatives keep creating in the midst of everything that comes with life! But it’s really what keeps us going during all phases of life. The source of inspiration for a song could come when you’re feeling low or when you’re feeling insanely euphoric! It’s all about using that feeling and making art with it while you’re actually feeling it. For instance, I wrote my song “King of Lies” when I was overwhelmed with rage. And instead of projecting it onto the person I was mad at, I chose to write a song and say everything I wanted to say in my safe, creative space.

I also think people sometimes don’t understand my songwriting process. LOL. Because most of my melodies or ideas for hooks come when I’m not trying to come up with something. I could be washing dishes or driving, and just start hearing melodies and lyrics in my head. I’ll have to stop everything and record it as a voice memo so I don’t forget.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.maliashutup.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maliashutup/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@maliashutup

Image Credits

Kirth Bobb