Malik English has just dropped ‘Tek Time’, his latest single and an authentic blend of influences across his career. Malik’s roots are embedded all over the world, and he’s always the first to proudly share his heritage and show how it shapes his music. Gearing up for an exciting 2025, Malik is in position for this year to be his biggest yet, with a seemingly limitless pace of culture and creativity.
‘Tek Time’ blends R&B, Afrobeats and Dancehall. How do you approach merging genres and creating a signature sound from that?
Genres overlap way more than we realise—sometimes, the same chords in a different order or rhythm can be the difference between something feeling indie, rock, or country. I listen to a ton of different artists and styles, so when I create, I’m not consciously trying to fit into one lane. Whatever comes out is just a mix of everything I’ve been listening to and experiencing.
You’ve mentioned that a trip to Trinidad influenced this track. Can you share more about that experience and how it shaped the track?
For sure! I used to live there when I was younger and still visit all the time. As a kid, I used to get super annoyed being there, but now it always feels like an escape—a reset. I wanted to make songs that would really hit if I ever performed there, and I didn’t get a chance to do that on my last EP. So while I was there, I locked in and made something that felt warm—like you’re at a fete, the energy’s right, and you just saw the baddest girl walk past you. That kind of moment.
As well as Trinidad, your background spans Nigeria, Canada, and now New York City. How does this range of cultures impact the music you make?
My background has a lot to do with my open approach to music. I grew up hearing mostly reggae, afrobeats, and soca from my family and friends, and then as I got older and settled more into North America, that transitioned into a lot more rap and R&B. So I had a mix of Buju Banton, Vybz Kartel, Spice, and Fela Kuti, alongside everything else I was discovering. Toronto, in my opinion, has produced some of the best R&B artists ever. And NYC and Toronto are both heavily influenced by Caribbean and African cultures, so the way those sounds constantly blend is beautiful. It feels special to be part of that next generation carrying it forward.
You’re someone who looks to break down preconceptions of what artists should look and sound like. What barriers do you see, and how do you challenge them?
For me, the most important thing is staying true to myself.
I’m not trying to fit into a specific mould—that’s not the goal. Community is super important, especially in creative spaces, but I think too many people force it, whether it’s in how they create, dress, or act, just to fit into a certain genus or scene. But today, fans and audiences pick up on inauthenticity fast. The real move is just being yourself.
With the rest of 2025 on the horizon, what can we expect next?
Lots loaded up. I’ve got a remix for Tek Time with a really dope artist that I’m hyped to drop soon, plus a few more singles lined up for the rest of the year. Definitely going to be playing live a lot too—really excited to get back to performing. I’ve also been producing and playing for a lot of people, which has been amazing, so I’m looking forward to sharing all the collaborations I’ve got in the vault.