We had the good fortune of connecting with Kamaal Malak and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Kamaal, how do you think about risk?I’ve always been a huge advocate for risk-taking. The bigger the risk the bigger the reward. Growing up in Philadelphia we had a lot of musicians and a lot of good music, but not a outlet with publishing and record labels were not so prevalent, so I chose to move to where it was – Los Angeles.
I would say, it was the best move for me at the time. From there I noticed Atlanta was jumping off the music charts and I had to be there. When I arrived it only took three months to join the music group Arrested Development. Now I reside in Nashville – Music City!
I could say it was another best move for me because it’s considered the center of the music industry now!
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An ASCAP Song Panel for Nashville’s urban songwriters, artists and producers will be held May 20, from 1 to 4 p.m. The panel is open to ASCAP members only. The location will be disclosed upon being selected for the event.
Featured panelists will include:Gina Waters-Miller, VP National Promotions & Label Relations – eOne Music
Kamaal Malak, Producer/Songwriter/Musician – former member of Arrested Development
Mike Steel, Producer – Trackburnaz Productions: Migos, Shawty Redd, Travis Port
Playa G, Producer/Songwriter/Musician – Mansion Life Music: 2 Chainz, Lauryn Hil
The deadline to apply is Monday, May 16. Submissions may be sent to rmonroe@ascap.com.
Two mp3 songs may be emailed for consideration. Please indicate in your e-mail if you are submitting music as an ASCAP artist, songwriter and/or producer.
Also, please list your complete contact information (legal name, phone number and e-mail address) in your e-mail. Participants must be present at the song panel, with no representation allowed. Due to limited space, accepted participants are not allowed to bring guests.
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The Dallas Cowboys will get more than a new stadium when football starts in September. The rock songs typically played to fire up fans during TV time-outs will be scrapped for a custom soundtrack written and recorded for the team. Forget Queen’s “We Will Rock You,” one popular crowd-pleasing song played at games. Now there is “Swing It Around (Cowboy Town)”–that’s the working title.
The team ballad was produced by Banshee Music, a Milwaukee company that pairs sports teams with songwriters and musicians, including former members of rock bands Arrested Development and the Foo Fighters. Banshee’s 25 clients include the nfl’s Green Bay Packers and Atlanta Falcons, the NBA’s Orlando Magic, Churchill Downs ‘ Kentucky Derby and the Bristol Motor Speedway, a Nascar venue in Bristol, Tenn. Banshee founder Gary Reynolds thinks that if he gets enough fans singing these ditties, they’ll buy CDs of them and/or pay for ringtones and future iPhone applications. Reynolds plans kitschy retail items, including musical key chains, bottle openers and videogames.
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Kamaal Malak’s list of accomplishments as a musician and producer directly reflects his desire to create music with integrity without regard for convention and genre.
In 1993, his most notable success came when he joined Grammy award-winning music group, Arrested Development. His personal highlights while part of Arrested Development were the opportunities to perform with Peter Gabriel on his WOMAD Tour, at Woodstock 94’ and on The Late Show with David Letterman. The group also performed for Nelson Mandela in South Africa.
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