Tuesday, February 19, 2019

Matthew Blake is now Matthew Malcolm, Jamaican pop singer with a unique talent.

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‘I don’t believe it is the destination that we should recognize or appreciate; I do believe it’s the journey.’

I started Oberlin in 2010,” he remembered. “That was one of the main turning points in my life – Oberlin High School’s choir.” His brothers were a part of the choir, in 2005 and 2006, before him. By Matthew’s account, and possibly every Jamaican who remembers those performances, they had “shattered the stage” and it was, therefore, fitting that he did too. “I went up on that stage and gave it my all, because I had the support of my older brothers,” he said. TOTAL FIVE With his brothers and friends, Matthew then became part of a group called Total Five. “The group consisted of members of the choir, like Owayne, who now goes by the name Avante, Jermaine Campbell, Jerome Blake, Jermaine Blake and myself,” he said. “We did so much together – we were on the road every weekend. We did hotel tours, school tours, corporate events, and opened up for Celine Dion at Jazz & Blues one year.”

the sky is the limit for the jovial 21-year-old. “I don’t believe it is the desti- nation that we should recognise or appreciate; I do believe it’s the journey,” said Matthew, who is now managed by Sharon Burke of Solid Agency. “The journey that I’ve faced throughout the years, I plan to write a book someday or make a movie, because I’ve enjoyed my journey – the ups, the downs.” He continued, “I want other young artistes to know that you might think you are doing some- thing that the world is looking down at – just keep doing it. Consistency is key; commitment is also key.” Follow Matthew on Instagram @OneMatthewMalcolm.

With the group desbanded for some time now, Matthew is looking ahead at a long and storied career in music. He lists Quincy Jones, Michael Jackson and Bruno Mars as artistes he admires. JAMAICAN ‘POP’ Despite the strength of reggae and dancehall locally, Matthew remains undaunted by his decision to enter into a different space. “Of course, there’s an audience for it (pop) locally, but I don’t just do music for Jamaica; I do music for the world,” he said. “Just like Alkaline, at first no one likes him, then eventually everybody likes him. Even if you check Africa right now, you have Africa doing R&B, you have Africa doing all kinds of music.” Matthew would like to dismiss the notion that a culture is tied to a particular norm, and would like to promote the beauty of a fusion of genres. With his talent and this out- look, it seems

A jovial 21-year-old Matthew Malcolm says he is influenced by Quincy Jones, Bruno Mars and Michael Jackson.

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YOUTHLINK MAGAZINE | www.youthlinkjamaica.com | FEBRUARY 19 - FEBRUARY 25, 2019