JAY MALAKHI returns following a creative rebrand with his new lead single Outside. The chilled track could be a breakthrough moment for the rising Kent wordsmith after his 8-month hiatus. 

If you recognise the voice, that’s probably because he used to go by JXY UNKNWN, this is his first release under the new alias and it’s one hell of an entrance.  Expectations are high and eyes are firmly set on MALAKHI, but we have no reason to doubt him. 

This single is the perfect one to kick back to, nodding your head along to his slick flows and rhymes as he eases the listener with his calm delivery. It carries 90s influence with its nostalgic charm, and hazy aura, “reminiscent of turning on the radio on Grand Theft Auto San Andreas and cruising through the suburbs listening to your favourite west coast anthems” – something I’ve been doing plenty of lately, re-visiting the classic 2004 game and some favourite Hip Hop oldies. 

The artist pulls from his father’s exploits growing up in the mainland of Lagos, Nigeria, but laying his own stories onto tracks with precision and passion, with lines like ‘Sipping all this potion cause it’s numbing my emotion’. 

On the boards is producer Marow, whose mellow instrumental perfectly complements MALAKHI’s inflections and flows. It’s also mixed and mastered by vocal engineer Zak Baker, who’s credited with working with impressive talents like BROCKHAMPTON, A$AP Rocky, and J Hus. 

With a knack for catchy hook-writing (with backing vocals from Paradise Highr members Sym, and rapper Protagonist on the adlibs), we’re hopeful he sees success with this one. His EP is rumoured to be announced soon, so keep your eye out. 

Check out the music video here.