
New album available on all music platforms August 15th.
Featuring an incredible roster of talent, this powerful spoken word album showcases 2x Grammy Spoken Word Poet nominee Queen Sheba on the resonant acceptance anthem "Choice," and Latin Grammy nominee Tamela Hedstrom bringing her unique artistry to the dreamy "Explore." The album also features award-winning powerhouse actress Rutina Wesley (from The Last of Us, True Blood, Queen Sugar) on the spiritual yet raw "WYABYLIMB (Wash Your Ass Before You Lay In My Bed)," a powerful track featuring amazing vocals from underground soul queen Sy Smith. The album opens with the commanding track "Static," featuring Hip-hop legend Doodlebug of the Grammy-winning group Digable Planets, and boasts contributions from many more amazing artists.
Every time I think a door is closed, God shows me land to build a house.
-Malachi Rivers
WHO IS MALACHI?
From the vibrant streets of Prince George's County, Maryland, to the electrifying pulse of New York City, Malachi Rivers is a true Renaissance talent: an award-winning actor, visionary content creator, dynamic producer, and a captivating force in both the spoken-word and music realms.
His artistic journey has graced iconic stages like the Kennedy Center, the legendary Apollo Theatre, and the renowned Blue Note Cafe. His talents extend all the way to Hollywood, where he commanded the screen as "Mr. Butler" in David Fincher's Oscar-winning cinematic masterpiece, "Mank." Beyond that, his acting credits include significant roles in critically acclaimed series like Poz Roz (where he also served as Executive Producer and Music Supervisor, earning a 2020 Indie Series Award for "Best Soundtrack"), Rhonda Mitchell M.D., and LIPS (Love Inside Prevails).
A seasoned and celebrated performer in the music world, Malachi toured as the dynamic spoken-word poet for Grammy-nominated jazz luminaries Marcus Strickland and Keyon Harrold with the Twi-Life group, lending his powerful voice to their critically acclaimed album "Open Reel Deck." This extensive tour saw him performing across the United States and the world, including a powerful and memorable performance at NPR. His profound contributions were lauded, with AllMusic noting, "the title track... begins with a subdued neo-soul backdrop over which spoken word artist Malachi fires out some free association poetry drenched in social critique," and Tom Hull's Jazz Prospecting calling his "spoken word exploits... riveting." Malachi's collaborative spirit also shines through his work with Latin Grammy-nominated Tamela Hedstrom and Grammy Award-winning Hip-hop legend Doodlebug of The Digable Planets, showcasing his versatile artistry across genres.
In 2024, Malachi garnered significant accolades for his groundbreaking work, winning Best Actor Drama and Best Writing Drama at the Indie Series Awards for his impactful series "Moments." This powerful series, drawing inspiration from his personal experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, also clinched Best International Series and Best Drama at the 2023 Rio Web Fest, among other prestigious awards. His early promise was recognized with the 2017 Peach Theatre "Rising Star Award" and "Best Musical Performance in a Play" from The National Association of Women in the Arts for his leading role in the NAACP Theatre award-winning play 'Ferguson': The Musical.
Malachi is now returning to his roots with his latest album, a powerful spoken word experience showcasing his multifaceted artistry in a new musical chapter. This incredible collection features 2x Grammy Spoken Word Poet nominee Queen Sheba on the resonant acceptance anthem "Choice," and Latin Grammy nominee Tamela Hedstrom bringing her unique artistry to the dreamy "Explore." The album opens with the commanding track "Static," featuring Hip-hop legend Doodlebug of the Grammy-winning group Digable Planets. Adding to this stellar lineup is award-winning powerhouse actress Rutina Wesley (known for The Last of Us, True Blood, Queen Sugar) on the spiritual yet raw "WYABYLIMB (Wash Your Ass Before You Lay In My Bed)." This track powerfully addresses emotionally abusive relationships and the struggle of breaking cycles, featuring a dazzling vocal collaboration with the amazing underground soul queen Sy Smith, whose delivery would make any soprano proud.
Keep an eye out for this incredibly talented artist as he continues to captivate audiences and push the boundaries of creative expression, leaving an indelible mark on every stage and screen he touches.