First Listen: Malik Polo ' Abundance'

Malik Polo is back with Abundance, the second single off his upcoming EP Echo Chambers. Polo describes the new track as being about three essential things in life: love, happiness and money. The message is simple - 'If money is what makes you happy, chase that'. For some people they’re born with money so they chase other things.' Coming from a fusion of different cultures, Egyptian and Irish, the rapper shared that Dubai was one of the places he grew up, and during his time in the city, he saw a lot of kids around his age with just money, who weren't happy. Using this experience to spark the creative process behind the single, he came to terms with the fact that everyone is on their own journey chasing different things. For Malik, he's content with money and abundance.

First Listen

The multifaceted rapper, producer and label owner now based in South East London, has been on the rise ever since the release of his 2019 debut album “Jomo”. Polo performed in his native region, Middle East for a few months before linking up with producer and musician Ibn Itaka in London circa March 2020. The fruit of their collaboration, titled Echo Chambers reflects on a world of contradictions manifested in an era of online disinformation and physical isolation. When speaking to Malik, I reflected on how Abundance had a very cool, calm and chilled vibe that really put me at ease, I wanted to know more about the inspiration behind the serene melody and if this sound had been brewing in the archives before the lyrics came to fruition.

"The instrumental evolved over two years with Connor Duke on the synth bass and Ibn Itaka’s snapping drums. I wrote the lyrics in 2019 to a simpler version of the instrumental, what you hear now is our baby.'"- Malik

Artists Perception

"The song came out in perfect timing. It’s mad how a song I wrote two years ago can still have such an effect on me and resonate for my life at the moment. I just remember being so broke and not having a clue how I was going to pay my rent, and that lead to me feeling depressed and scared. This then made me do some reflecting on my life, and how I know so many people with all the money in the world but are unhappy, and I got myself out that depressed mindset by writing a song about money. The song since has motivated me to get that bag!"

Malik takes pride in his heritage and aims to make sure all his songs convey a certain message, taking inspiration from his life and background. "I’m very proud of my cultures, I consider myself a third culture kid as I’ve grown up in neither Ireland or Egypt, however because of how strong my parents roots are, I’ve adopted some of their cultures. I like music that’s fun and has meaning, so I do keep real aspects of my life in there to help people understand my culture and background more. This is just me inside some raw instrumentals, talking about everyday things I go through, in this echo chamber of mine. Linking up with Ibn Itaka was a blessing, because he understood, and from there we built a lane that we both admire and respect."

First Watch

The video is organic and has been stripped back to reveal a more vulnerable side of the rapper. With a lot less going on, this allows for Malik's audience to really digest and take in his lyrics. In quintessential Polo fashion, the visuals are real, raw and relatable. The low-fi natural setting of the video definitely brings a more realistic vibe to his music.

Having already performed in the Middle East, Malik is well under way to be known across the globe. "The Middle East is great, people are a lot more in tune than you would think. I’d definitely want to perform in Cairo, that’ll be dope." Music, Food and Family are the three things that make Malik Polo happy, what are yours?