The astonishing young singer and Britain’s Got Talent 2023 finalist, Malakai, has secured a record deal with Universal Music, the record company home of Pavarotti, and today announces his debut album, to be released on Universal Classics and Jazz in association with Classic FM, the UK’s most popular classical music station. The 14-year-old chorister, who won the hearts of both judges and viewers, reducing them to tears with his voice of breath-taking beauty, will release his debut album in July. The first single ‘Pie Jesu’ is available today (June 15th).
Thrilled to share the news, Malakai said, “I can’t believe my dream has come true & I’m signed to the record company with the biggest opera stars in the world!”
Since his appearance on the primetime TV show, international interest and requests have been flooding in, including a personal message of congratulations from the President of Sierra Leone.
Malakai has also won the attention of Hollywood, singing on the soundtrack of the forthcoming movie Maestro, a biographical film directed by and starring Bradley Cooper, and produced by Hollywood greats Martin Scorsese and Steven Spielberg, about the life of Leonard Bernstein.
The debut album from Malakai, entitled Golden, is a collection of both classical and classic songs, including Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Pie Jesu, which he performed for his audition on BGT. Simon Cowell responded to his spine-tingling performance by declaring, “There’s only one word for it…GOLDEN!” as he pressed the Golden Buzzer. His audition has since garnered over 55 million views. Watch Malakai’s audition here.
The album also includes his peerless version of Puccini’s O Mio Babbino Caro, which he sang live in the semi-finals reducing judge Bruno Tonioli to tears, who stated “You’re a gift from God” and “It is incredible to have a boy like you producing this divine sound.” Simon Cowell added “God has given you the most amazing talent” reiterating his sentiments from Malakai’s audition with “This was a golden performance”. Caruso by Lucio Dallo, made famous by Andrea Bocelli, also features on the album, which Malakai sang in the live final. Once again receiving glowing reviews from the judges: “I’m bursting with pride right now” Cowell said, “It was absolutely beautiful from start to finish”, with Alesha Dixon adding “You are such a remarkable young man”. His performance of Handel’s Lascio ch’io pianga, with which he made his stunning Royal Albert Hall solo debut in April this year as part of Classic FM Live in front of an audience of 5,000, is also on the album. Watch Makalai’s performance here.
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