Mahalia (singer)

British singer, songwriter and actress

Not to be confused with Mahalia Jackson or Mahalia Barnes.

Mahalia

Mahalia performing at Boardmasters Festival in 2021

Background information
Birth name| Mahalia Burkmar
Born|  (1998-05-01) 1 May 1998 (age 26)
Origin| Leicester, England
Genres|

* R&B
* neo soul[1]

Occupations|

* Singer
* songwriter
* actress

Instruments|

* Vocals
* guitar

Years active| 2015–present
Labels| Asylum
Website| www.mahaliamusic.co.uk

Musical artist

Mahalia Burkmar (born 1 May 1998), known mononymously as Mahalia,[2] is a British singer, songwriter and actress.[3] Mahalia has released several EPs and three albums, Diary of Me (2016), Love and Compromise (2019) and IRL (2023). She also acted in the film Brotherhood (2016).[4] She had her breakthrough in 2017 with her performance of "Sober" for the YouTube channel Colors.[5] In 2018, she was ranked number one on YouTube's Ones to Watch list.[6]

## Life and career

[edit]

Mahalia is from Syston, Charnwood, in Leicestershire.[7][8][9] She was born to musician parents.[5] Her father is British-Irish and her mother is Jamaican.[10] Mahalia has described the town she grew up in as a predominantly white area with "a lot of racism".[11] She has two brothers.[12]

She attended Roundhill Community College until she signed a record deal at age13, when she transferred to a performing arts school,[13] Birmingham Ormiston Academy,[14] where she took acting classes.[5] Mahalia further expanded her actor training at Urban Young Actors, Leicester.[15]

As a child, she would often spend her summer breaks at home writing music[citation needed]—she wrote her first song at age eight[6] and signed a deal with Asylum Records at age 13.[8][16][5] She performed live for the first time aged "eleven, or maybe 12" at an open mic.[17] She released her debut EP, Head Space, in 2012.[11] Mahalia was later introduced to Ed Sheeran,[13] who she went on to perform as a supporting act for, duetting with him on his song "Gold Rush". She supported Sheeran and Emeli Sandé in their 2014 UK tours. She sang on the title track of UK #1 album We the Generation by Rudimental in 2015.[5][18]

In 2019, Mahalia was featured on BBC Radio 1's Brit List.[3] Her album Love and Compromise was released and marketed as her debut album. The album concept was influenced by an interview with Eartha Kitt, which Mahalia's mother showed her when she was a child.[19] Mahalia won Best Female Act and Best R&B/Soul Act at the 2020 MOBO Awards.[20]

In 2021, she released "Jealous", a collaboration with American rapper Rico Nasty.[21] She was nominated for her first Grammy Award for Best R&B Performance at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.[22] Mahalia was included in the 2021 Forbes 30 Under 30 list.[23]

In 2022, Mahalia was among the performers at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. She was also one of the opening acts in the all-female lineup at Adele's British Summer Time concerts in London's Hyde Park.[24]

In 2023, Mahalia released her second studio album, titled IRL.[25][26] In support of the album, she toured Europe, North America, and Australia.[27][28]

## Influences

[edit]

Mahalia performing in Sydney, Australia in May 2024.

Mahalia has listed Corinne Bailey Rae, Erykah Badu, Lauryn Hill, Amy Winehouse, Jill Scott, India Arie,[29] Ed Sheeran,[13] and Kate Nash[5] among her musical influences.

## Discography

[edit]

### Studio albums

[edit]

List of studio albums, with selected details  Title  | Details  | Peak chart positions

|
|

[30] | UK
R&B
[31] | SCO
[32] | US
Heat.
[33]
Love and Compromise |

* Released: 6 September 2019[34]
* Label: Asylum
* Format: CD, digital download, streaming

| 28 | 3 | — | 23
IRL |

* Released: 14 July 2023[35]
* Label: Warner Music UK
* Format: CD, digital download, streaming

| 31 | 2 | 81 | —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

### Compilation albums

[edit]

List of compilation albums  Title  | Details

|

Diary of Me |

* Released: 16 December 2016[36]
* Label: Asylum
* Format: CD, digital download, streaming

### Extended plays

[edit]

List of extended plays, with selected details  Title  | Details

|

Head Space |

* Released: 10 July 2012[37]
* Format: Digital download, streaming

Never Change |

* Released: 11 December 2015[38]
* Format: Digital download, streaming

Seasons |

* Released: 21 September 2018[39]
* Format: Digital download, streaming

Isolation Tapes |

* Released: 1 May 2020[40]
* Format: Digital download, streaming

Letter to Ur Ex |

* Released: 20 May 2022[41]
* Format: Digital download, streaming

### Singles

[edit]

List of singles as lead artist, with selected chart positions, showing year released and album name  Title  | Year  | Peak chart positions  | Certifications  | Album

|
|
|
|

[30] | UK
R&B
[42][43] | BEL
(FL)
Tip
[44] | NZ
Hot
[45] | US
Bub.
[46] | US
R&B
[47] | US
R&B/HH
Airplay
[48] | US
Adult
R&B
[49]
"Borrowers"[50] | 2015  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Never Change
"Back Up Plan"[51] | 2016  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Diary of Me
"17"[52] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Silly Girl"[53] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Mahalia"[54] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Roller Coaster"[55] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"I Remember"[56] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Marry Me"[57] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Independence Day"[58] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Begin Again"[59] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Sober"[60] | 2017  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |

* BPI: Silver[61]

| Non-album singles
"Hold On"
(featuring Buddy)[62] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"No Pressure"[63] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —
"Proud of Me"
(featuring Little Simz)[64] | 2018  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"No Reply"[65] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Water"
(with Kojey Radical and Swindle)[66] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"I Wish I Missed My Ex"[67] | — | — | 43 | — | — | — | — | —  |

* BPI: Silver[61]

| Love and Compromise
"Surprise Me"[68] | — | — | 43 | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Seasons
"One Night Only"
(featuring Kojey Radical) [69] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Do Not Disturb"[70] | 2019  | — | — | 3 | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Love and Compromise
"Grateful"[71] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Non-album single
"Simmer"
(featuring Burna Boy)[72] | 46 | 34 | 32 | — | — | — | — | —  |

* BPI: Gold[61]

| Love and Compromise
"Square 1"[73] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"What You Did"
(featuring Ella Mai)[74] | 90 | — | — | 29 | 7 | 15 | 13 | 6  |

* BPI: Silver[61]

"BRB"[75] | 2020  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | 20  |  | Isolation Tapes
"Jealous"
(featuring Rico Nasty)[21] | 2021  | — | — | — | 34 | — | — | — | —  |  | Non-album singles
"Whenever You're Ready"[76] | — | — | — | 36 | — | — | — | 17  |
"Roadside"
(featuring AJ Tracey)[77] | 93 | — | — | 37 | — | — | — | —  |
"Letter to Ur Ex"[78] | 2022  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Letter to Ur Ex and IRL
"Whatever Simon Says"[79] | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | Letter to Ur Ex
"In the Club"  | — | — | — | 31 | — | — | — | —  |
"Bag Of You"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | IRL
"Terms and Conditions"  | 2023  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Cheat"
(featuring JoJo) | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Ready"  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |
"Pick Up the Pace"
(featuring Bayka) | 2024  | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | —  |  | TBA
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.

### Guest appearances

[edit]

List of non-single guest appearances, showing year released, other artist(s), and album name  Title  | Year  | Other artist(s)  | Album

|
|
|

"We the Generation"[80] | 2015  | Rudimental | We the Generation
"Keep It Pushin"[81] | 2018  | Russ | Zoo
"All I Need"[82] | 2020  | Jacob Collier, Ty Dolla Sign | Djesse Vol. 3
"Energy"[83] | Pa Salieu | Send Them To Coventry
"Pretty"[84] | col3trane  | Non-album single
"No One But You"[85] | Justin Nozuka | Then, Now & Again
"Closer"[86] | 2022  | RM, Paul Blanco  | Indigo
"Five Star Hotels"  | 2023  | Raye | My 21st Century Blues

## Awards and nominations

[edit]

Year  | Organization  | Award  | Work  | Result

|
|
|
|

2018  | BRIT Awards | Critics' Choice Award | Herself  | Nominated[87]
BBC | Sound of 2019 | Included
[88][89]
Metro | Ones To Watch 2019
2019  | MTV Push  | Nominated[90]
Soul Train Music Awards | Best New Artist | Nominated
Brit Awards | Critics' Choice Award | Nominated
2020  | British Female Solo Artist | Nominated
NAACP Image Awards | Outstanding New Artist | Nominated
2021  | Grammy Awards | Best R&B Performance | "All I Need" (with Jacob Collier and Ty Dolla Sign) | Nominated[91][92]

## Filmography

[edit]

* Brotherhood (Noel Clarke, 2016) – as Thea

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Neo-Soul 2020: 23 Contemporary Artists Pushing the Sound Forward". Okayplayer.com. Retrieved 1 May 2024.
2. ^ "Mahalia - New Songs, Playlists & Latest News". BBC. Retrieved 17 April 2019.
3. ^ a b Savage, Mark (9 April 2019). "Mahalia: Drunk-dialling her way to fame". BBC News.
4. ^ O'Connor, Roisin (1 November 2016). "New music to listen to this week: Mahalia". The Independent. London. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
5. ^ a b c d e f Smyth, David (8 April 2019). "Mahalia: 'I was ready to quit music in 2017'". Standard.co.uk. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
6. ^ a b "YouTube: Mahalia tops its first ever Ones To Watch list". BBC News. 13 November 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
7. ^ Frodsham, I (13 July 2016). "Leicester singer Mahalia Burkmar to star in Brotherhood". Leicester Mercury. Leicester. Archived from the original on 14 July 2016. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
8. ^ a b Collins, Hattie (10 December 2015). "10 things you need to know about mahalia". i-D. Vice. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
9. ^ Peplow, Gemma (3 April 2013). "Syston teenager set to share stage with double-Brit winner Emeli Sandé". Leicester Mercury. Leicester. Retrieved 6 April 2017.[permanent dead link‍]
10. ^ Halls, Eleanor (28 June 2019). "Mahalia on messaging Jodie Comer, cancel culture, sexist DMs and industry colourism". Telegraph.co.uk.
11. ^ a b "Come My Way: Mahalia Interviewed". Clash Magazine. 30 April 2020. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
12. ^ "Singer Mahalia tipped as star by YouTube Music but 'avoids comment section'". The Independent. 12 November 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
13. ^ a b c Fresh, Mikey (24 October 2017). "Mahalia Talks About Her Journey From Unknown Singer To Major Label Recording Artist". VIBE.com. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
14. ^ "Q&A - MAHALIA". Other Voices. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
15. ^ "Urban Young Actors". Urban Young Actors. Archived from the original on 28 May 2023. "It's really interesting now, as a musician, how something like acting and drama skills can correlate with something like music. I am really grateful for my time at Urban."
16. ^ "Future Noise: Mahalia". UO Blog. Urban Outfitters. 11 December 2015. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 6 April 2017.
17. ^ "The first with... Mahalia". British GQ. 14 December 2018. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
18. ^ Mahalia. Greenbelt Festival. Retrieved 2023-06-23.
19. ^ "Mahalia's not compromising her self-awareness". gal-dem. 7 September 2019. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
20. ^ "Listen to Mahalia's soulful new single 'Whenever You're Ready'". NME. 17 July 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
21. ^ a b Blistein, Jon (19 February 2021). "Mahalia, Rico Nasty Wreak Some Havoc on an Ex in Video for 'Jealous'". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 19 February 2021. Retrieved 19 February 2021.
22. ^ "Grammy awards 2021: the full list of winners". The Guardian. 15 March 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
23. ^ "Yomi Adegoke and other Black Brits honoured on Forbes 30 under 30 list". Voice Online. 8 April 2021. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
24. ^ "Adele's All-Female Lineup Includes Kacey Musgraves, Mahalia, & Self Esteem". Bustle. 24 June 2022. Retrieved 8 November 2022.
25. ^ "Mahalia Announces 'IRL' Album Release and UK Tour Dates". V13. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
26. ^ "Lauren Spencer Smith Announces Debut Studio Album Mirror". NME. Retrieved 30 June 2023.
27. ^ "MAHALIA ANNOUNCES 2024 NORTH AMERICA LEG OF THE 'IN REAL LIFE' TOUR". Live Nation Entertainment. 3 October 2023. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
28. ^ Fry, Courtney (25 January 2024). "Mahalia is bringing her In Real Life tour to Australia". Australian Broadcasting Corporation. Triple J. Retrieved 7 May 2024.
29. ^ Callender, Samantha (16 July 2021). "R&B Singer Mahalia Wants to Create Excellence". Harper's BAZAAR. Retrieved 8 November 2021.
30. ^ a b "Mahalia | full Official Charts history". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
31. ^ Peak positions for UK R&B Albums Chart:
* For Love and Compromise: "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40: 13 September 2019 – 19 September 2019". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
* For IRL: "Official R&B Albums Chart Top 40: 21 July 2023 – 27 July 2023". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
32. ^ Peak positions for albums in Scotland:
* For IRL: "Official Scottish Albums Chart Top 100". Official Charts Company. 21 July 2023.
33. ^ "Heatseekers Albums Chart – March 14, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
34. ^ "Love and Compromise by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
35. ^ "IRL by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 23 May 2023.
36. ^ "Diary of Me by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
37. ^ "Head Space - EP by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
38. ^ "Never Change - EP by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
39. ^ "Seasons - EP by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 14 August 2019.
40. ^ "Isolation Tapes - single by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 1 May 2020.
41. ^ "Letter To Ur Ex - EP by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 9 June 2022.
42. ^ "Official R&B Singles Chart Top 40 | 16 August 2019 - 22 August 2019". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 19 August 2019.
43. ^ "Official Charts Top 40". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 30 October 2021.
44. ^ "Discografie Mahalia". Ultratop. Retrieved 28 February 2020.
45. ^ "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 16 September 2019. Retrieved 14 September 2019.
* "Jealous": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 29 March 2021. Retrieved 27 March 2021.
* "Whenever You're Ready": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 30 August 2021. Retrieved 28 August 2021.
* "Roadside": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 18 October 2021. Retrieved 16 October 2021.
* "In the Club": "NZ Hot Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 30 May 2022. Retrieved 28 May 2022.
46. ^ "Ella Mai — Chart History: Bubbling Under Hot 100". Billboard. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
47. ^ "Hot R&B Songs – March 14, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved 10 March 2020.
48. ^ "R&B/Hip-Hop Airplay — March 7, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
49. ^
* "What You Did": "Hot Adult R&B Songs – March 7, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved 3 March 2020.
* "BRB": "Hot Adult R&B Songs – August 29, 2020". Billboard. Retrieved 25 August 2020.
* "Whenever You're Ready": "Hot Adult R&B Songs – October 9, 2021". Billboard. Retrieved 5 October 2021.
50. ^ "Mahalia debuts 'Borrowers' & announces her 'Never Change' EP". Soulbounce.com. 6 November 2015. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
51. ^ "Back up Plan - Single by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
52. ^ "17 - Single by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
53. ^ "Silly Girl - Single by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
54. ^ "Mahalia - Single by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
55. ^ "Rollercoaster - Single by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
56. ^ "I Remember - Single by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
57. ^ "Marry Me - Single by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
58. ^ "Independence Day - Single by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
59. ^ "Begin Again - Single by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
60. ^ "Sober - Single by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
61. ^ a b c d "British certifications – Mahalia". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 2 July 2023. Type Mahalia in the "Search BPI Awards" field and then press Enter.
62. ^ "Hold On (feat. Buddy) - Single by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
63. ^ "No Pressure - Single by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
64. ^ "Proud of Me (feat. Little Simz) - Single by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
65. ^ "No Reply - Single by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
66. ^ "Water - Single by Kojey Radical, Mahalia & Swindle". iTunes. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
67. ^ "I Wish I Missed My Ex - Single by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
68. ^ "Mahalia Takes Listeners On a Ride with 'Surprise Me'". Hot New Hip Hop. 10 September 2018. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
69. ^ "Mahalia Talks Meeting Ed Sheeran & The Meaning Behind Her Single 'One Night Only'". MTV. Archived from the original on 23 January 2019. Retrieved 21 December 2019.
70. ^ "Do Not Disturb - Single by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
71. ^ "Grateful - Single by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 7 August 2019.
72. ^ "Simmer (Nao Remix) [feat. Flohio] \- Single by Mahalia". iTunes. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
73. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (23 August 2019). "Mahalia shares new track "Square 1"". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 30 August 2019.
74. ^ "What You Did (feat. Ella Mai)". Spotify. 4 September 2019. Retrieved 6 September 2019.
75. ^ "Urban/UAC Future Releases". allaccess.com. Mediabase. Archived from the original on 25 May 2020. Retrieved 25 May 2020.
76. ^ Aubrey, Elizabeth (17 July 2021). "Listen to Mahalia's soulful new single 'Whenever You're Ready'". NME. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
77. ^ Lavin, Will (3 October 2021). "Mahalia recruits AJ Tracey for new breakup single 'Roadside'". NME. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
78. ^ Lavin, Will (18 February 2022). "Listen to Mahalia's retrospective new single 'Letter To Ur Ex'". NME. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
79. ^ Ackroyd, Stephen (18 March 2022). "Mahalia has dropped her brand new single, 'Whatever Simon Says'". Dork. Retrieved 18 July 2023.
80. ^ "We the Generation (Deluxe Edition) by Rudimental". iTunes. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
81. ^ "ZOO by Russ". iTunes. Retrieved 10 August 2019.
82. ^ "All I Need (With Mahalia & Ty Dolla $ign)". Spotify. 14 May 2020. Retrieved 14 May 2020.
83. ^ Energy (feat. Mahalia), 13 November 2020, retrieved 3 March 2023
84. ^ Pretty (feat. Mahalia) by Col3trane, 1 October 2020, retrieved 27 September 2021
85. ^ No One But You (feat. Mahalia) by Justin Nozuka, 16 October 2020, retrieved 15 October 2021
86. ^ Daly, Rhian (6 December 2022). "RM – 'Indigo' review: BTS leader makes emphatic bid for timelessness with remarkable solo debut". NME. Archived from the original on 6 December 2022. Retrieved 6 December 2022.
87. ^ "Brits critics' choice award won by Sam Fender". The Guardian. 7 December 2018. Retrieved 7 December 2018.
88. ^ "BBC Sound of 2019: Which rising stars have made the longlist?". BBC. 10 December 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
89. ^ "Ones To Watch 2019: Sam Fender, Ella Mai and Slowthai lead eclectic mix of artists into the new year". Metro. 29 December 2018. Retrieved 29 December 2018.
90. ^ "voting for mtv push: ones to watch 2019 is open!". MTV. 14 January 2019. Retrieved 16 January 2019.
91. ^ "2021 GRAMMYs: Complete Nominees List". GRAMMY.com. 24 November 2020. Retrieved 24 November 2020.
92. ^ "GRAMMY Award Results for Mahalia". GRAMMY.com. 8 December 2020. Retrieved 8 December 2020.

## External links

[edit]

* Official website
* Mahalia discography at Discogs
* Mahalia at IMDb

Authority control databases

International|

* ISNI
* VIAF

National|

* Germany
* United States
* France
* BnF data
* Poland

Artists|

* MusicBrainz

*[TBA]: To be announced