Malii shuns ‘nepo baby’ title

Clearly a big fan of her parents' music, up-and-coming singer Malii is not about to take a ride to fame on their celebrity coattails.

The daughter of dancehall veterans Lady G and Barrington Levy, Malii is shunning the much blasted "nepo baby" syndrome and with her first official release, is carving her own way out.

"I know that there is a system of calling in favours, but at the end of the day, it's about the talent, not you being the daughter or son of 'Mr So and So'. I have experienced people being nice to me just because of who you are affiliated with and that makes me angry. I don't announce my parents. I like to know who you are before you know who I am," Malii said.

The aspiring artiste, who was raised in the US, noted that although music was always part of her, it fell into the category of a hobby.

"At school, I was the designated singer. If the mayor was visiting, then I would be the one to sing. But my mother always said 'Finish your academics, music is not going to run away.' I wanted to be a doctor at first. I still might be because I have finished my college course and work in a hospital ... but my dream job now is to do autopsies," Malii said.

But she has put some stuff on pause as she explores her own musical range and this new interaction with the world, as she embraces the challenge after a good friend heard her music and told her that she had to go into the studio and record.

"I'm going to give this thing my all. Music makes me happy. It's a breath of fresh air not being told how to express my feelings ... it's like therapy. When I finish and listen to the production the harmonies are beautiful ... the vocals are intense."

She recently flew to Jamaica to shoot the music video for her single It's the Weekend and she told THE WEEKEND STAR that she was super excited.

"It's my first music video and the first time being able to showcase my personality in this way. It's a great intro to the face behind the voice," Malii stated, even as she took time to thank her mother for the example that she has set.

"Going on the road with her and doing back-up, sometimes I would be watching her so much that I forget what I am supposed to be doing. She's so good. I didn't realise at first that I had a manual and now I am studying everything that she is. I watch every move she makes."

The next step in her journey is an EP which will showcase her versatility as she explores various genres.

- Y.P.