A Beautiful Dreamer – The Carolyn Malachi Interview

Written By: Raven Ekundayo
Photography By: Leonard Poteat, Jati Lindsay & Anthony Tilghman

Carolyn Malachi is a rare artistic phenom. She's Grammy nominated but still returns to her roots to perform in open mic venues. She's traveled the world but remains humble enough to never stop giving back to the community she came from. She's unapologetically riginal. It's not often you find someone so breathtakingly gifted without being accompanied by an overinflated ego. I'm honored to not only know her as an artist but also as a friend. It was very important for me to interview Carolyn for the final issue of ETM because I wanted The Misfits to hear from someone I've considered to be a true Misfit for a long time; someone who doesn't waver in her beliefs for a better tomorrow and feels as strongly about helping this world as I do. From Revenge of The Smart Chicks to Lions Fires &Squares; Carolyn has created music for the world and from that she's prayerfully saved many. Here, everyone, is a Carolyn Malachi.

Raven – What was the musical eXperience like for you growing up?

Carolyn - My great-grandfather, John Malachi, accompanied Sarah Vaughan, Pearl Bailey, Al Hibbler, and other jazz legends. My father always played jazz in the house, in the car, everywhere. Before I was born, he put headphones on my Mother's pregnant belly and played music for me. He must have played lots Pat Metheny [please don't ask me to pick a favorite album...there's no way to pick just one]. I feel a special connection to his music. He takes people on a journey. I feel free when I listen to his music. I want people to think of freedom when they think of me too.

Raven – Of course you know I want to ask you to pick an album now, lol. But we can move on. Why was Smart Chicks, Inc created?

Carolyn - Smart Chicks Inc. and the Smart Chicks Network were created to develop visibility and leadership opportunities for women in the arts. Smart Chick Simone Jacobson has really turned the organization into a hiring service. Because many of the members are leaders in their respective professions, they bring employment opportunities to the network. That is such a wonderful and needed asset in the current economy.

Raven - I totally agree. You've accomplished something great that I often tell people is important when creating any business; you have people working with you that have a drive and passion. That's awesome. Ok, how does it feel to be a Grammy Nominated INDEPENDENT artist?

Carolyn - The distinction of GRAMMY Nominated Artist is quite coveted. I am proud and honored to have received it. The nomination made people very curious about who I am and from where I came. I now have the delightful challenge of filling in the blanks. If it was a popularity contest, I would not have received the nomination. I am glad that the Recording Academy is an organization filled with music lovers who want to create opportunities for new voices to be heard. I should note that it will be even more difficult for independent artists to gain recognition as several categories, including the one for which I was nominated, have been eliminated. It is important that independent artists advocate for each other, now more now than ever.

Raven - That breaks my heart to know the category for which you were nominated has been eliminated. I agree that independent artists have to advocate for one another and be the voice when others go silent. Let's move on to when you're performing. Where do you go when you perform? Can you eXplain the actual space you go into mentally, spiritually when you perform?

Carolyn - When I perform, I think of myself as a translator who is helping each song convey its message to the audience. My job is to get out of the way and let the music tell its own story.

Raven – Great answer. Lol. I notice you wear feathers on your eyes often when performing. What is the meaning of the feathers?

Carolyn - The feathers on my eyes are a signature look created by the fine folks at INK Cosmetics. I wear the couture feather lashes when I perform to remind my audiences to let their visions take flight.

Raven - Why was the beautiful dreamer song and video so important for you to make?

Carolyn - Beautiful Dreamer began as a pep talk to myself. It became so much more. The world's response to the song has totally surprised me. When the video was done, I held a small screening for fans in DC. People cried, cheered, asked questions, and demanded to see the video again. I issued no press release, but here we are, talking about the song, its message, and its video. FOX News, Centric, and other networks have shared it. People from around the world
continue to send me messages about how the song inspires them and fills them with hope. I want to always make music that takes people on a journey from their current state of mind to their ideal state of being.

Raven – I was in the audience for the screening of the video in DC and it was a great moment. The video has a wonderful message against bullying and I thank you for that. After such a great response to Loins, Fires & Squares; what kind of experience can fans expect with the next album?

Carolyn - Fans canexpect a balanced, honest musical experience. I will be very honest, but not too revealing, about my journey thus far. The subject matter will be broad, certainly. I want people to connect and know that so much joy awaits them at the end of their challenges.

Raven - What are your thoughts on where we are in this world from the perspective of peace and love?

Carolyn - To realize peace and love, the world's economic, political, and social powers need to be in harmony. I think that we have a long way to go, but there are those who try to bring peace and love, lofty concepts as they are, to fruition.

Raven – Indeed, and I'm truly thankful for them. What's next for you?

Carolyn - The Beautiful Dreamer Cover Contest is a current effort. I'm extending an opportunity to singers, poets, rappers, producers, and engineers to cover or remix the Beautiful Dreamer Extended Jazz Mix for an opportunity to win a spot on my next album and $500 toward their own beautiful dream.

Raven - What is Carolyn Malachi's mission in life?

Carolyn - Each morning, I remind myself of my mission which is to be an intimate influence, global presence, and universal force for good.

Raven -What does eXcaping the matriX mean to you?

Carolyn - I come from a family of survivors. My great-grandmother had a saying that she borrowed from a Paul Roberson poem, and that was, "Keep a'pluggin' away." It means, keep going, even when it gets tough. My version of that is, "Onward n' upward", which I tell myself and my fans almost daily. eXcaping the matriX means defying your fear to create the reality you desire.

 

Name
Email Address
Comment