Mahalia Burkmar entered the world on May 1, 1998, in Syston, Leicestershire, England. Her mixed British-Irish and Jamaican heritage deeply influenced her sound. She grew up immersed in music, writing her first song at just eight years old.
Her talent was undeniable. At age 13, she signed with Asylum Records after a Twitter endorsement from Ed Sheeran. This early start set her on a unique path in the music industry.
The artist released her debut album, “Diary of Me,” in 2016. Her big break arrived in 2017 with a viral performance of “Sober” on the YouTube channel Colors. That video amassed over 50 million views and brought her international recognition.
Her work has earned significant acclaim, including MOBO Awards and a Grammy nomination. She continues to build a remarkable life in music. With new projects like the “Luvergirl” EP, her story is still being written.
Early Beginnings and Musical Awakening
The soundtrack to her childhood was a rich blend of reggae, soul, and R&B. This music filled the family car and their home, curated by her musician parents. It created a deep, sonic foundation for the artist known as Mahalia Burkmar.
Childhood Influences and First Steps in Music
As a kid, she spent summer breaks at home composing. She wrote her first song at eight years old. This early dedication showed a natural connection to music.
Her first live performance happened around age eleven at an open mic. It was a bold step for a young artist. She also found creative ways to express herself, like wearing her mother’s clip-on earrings to school when makeup was forbidden.
The Busking Journey in Leicester
Before fame, she honed her craft on the streets. She traveled from Leicester to busk in various UK cities. At that time, there were no social media shortcuts.
She relied on raw talent. A hopeful kid with a guitar case open, singing for people passing by. She hoped someone would stop, listen, or drop a coin.
This real-world experience built a fearless performer. It was a crucial part of her journey long before any record deal.
The Breakthrough: From Busking to Viral Stardom
A simple backdrop and a powerful voice were all it took to change everything in 2017. The artist’s performance of “Sober” for the YouTube channel Colors became a defining moment. This video amassed over 50 million views, turning a promising talent into a global R&B sensation.
The “Sober” Phenomenon and Colors Performance
The track itself is a sultry piece of throwback R&B. Its smooth, buttery vocals and honest lyrics connected with people instantly. The Colors format stripped away all distractions, letting the performance command full attention.
This success came at a crucial time. After a difficult first year trying to make it in London, Mahalia had moved back to Leicester. She was questioning her future in the music industry.
Just three months after returning home, the video took off. It felt like a true breakthrough. The viral moment immediately reignited her confidence.
The impact was swift and significant:
- Opportunities multiplied almost overnight.
- She moved back to London with renewed purpose.
- In 2018, YouTube ranked her number one on its Ones to Watch list.
That single performance marked the shift from a struggling artist to a recognized voice. It was the bit of luck and validation needed to solidify a career.
In-Depth Interview with Mahalia Burkmar
Signing a major label contract as a teenager brought both priceless knowledge and unexpected pressures. The artist recently opened up about this formative experience.
Reflections on Signing at a Young Age
She values the industry education she received early. “I’m really happy that I signed so young,” she told HUNGER Magazine. “I learnt so much growing up in the industry.”
That early start gave her years of experience most artists don’t get until their mid-twenties. She now feels equipped with insider knowledge.
But the reality differed from childhood dreams. “We all thought that you’d get signed and that was kind of it,” she admits. The actual experience involved creative frustration.
Giving finished music to multiple people for critique was challenging. It never really felt like a simple process. The pressure to perform while navigating adult expectations was a lot for a young artist.
By age fourteen, she was already touring with established acts. This rapid acceleration from open mics to professional stages shaped her perspective. The journey required resilience amid industry pressures.
Navigating the Record Label Landscape and Industry Challenges
Working within a major label system presents unique obstacles for emerging R&B artists. The journey involves balancing creative vision with corporate expectations.
Experiences with Asylum Records and Warner Music
Mahalia’s relationship with her label began at age thirteen. She signed with Asylum Records, part of Warner Music Group.
The approval process for new music proved challenging. Multiple executives had to approve creative work before release. This became one of the hardest parts of her career.
| Album/EP | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Head Space EP | 2012 | Asylum Records |
| Never Change EP | 2015 | Asylum Records |
| Love and Compromise | 2019 | Asylum Records |
| IRL | 2023 | Warner Music UK |
Industry culture often marginalized R&B music. The 2022 Brit Awards merged pop and R&B into one category. This decision effectively erased R&B recognition.
Mahalia advocated strongly for her genre. She wore a “Long Live R’n’B” coat to the 2023 ceremony. Her public stance helped reinstate a separate R&B category the following year.
The artist earned a Best R&B Act nomination in 2024. This marked a victory for both her advocacy and the genre’s visibility.
Creative Process and Personal Reflections
Creating the 2023 album IRL meant confronting difficult truths through professional help. The artist’s therapy sessions became a central part of her songwriting process.
Therapy, Inspiration, and Songwriting
Five or six songs on the record came directly from therapy. “I overcame a lot in therapy,” Mahalia says. The space to speak freely transformed her creative work.
Her therapist taught her to sit with emotions before reacting. This patience changed her approach to writing music. Quick decisions based on fleeting feelings became a thing of the past.
Insights from Personal Life and Growth
IRL took three years to complete during and after the pandemic. Mahalia says she never really understood “labour of love” until this album. The process felt like deep personal excavation.
Songs like “Ready” address anxiety about keeping her place in the music industry. “Lose Lose” confronts people-pleasing tendencies in relationships. This stuff connects to her childhood need to fit in.
The way she grew up in a non-diverse town shaped these patterns. Strong women like Eartha Kitt influenced her earlier album Love and Compromise. Artists from Corinne Bailey Rae to Lauryn Hill inspire her honest approach to life through music.
Live Performances and Tour Experiences
Connecting with audiences through live music creates an intimate space where songs gain new meaning. For this artist, the stage became a classroom early on.
Highlights from Global Tours and Festival Appearances
Major events marked key moments in her career journey. At just 14 years old, she opened for Ed Sheeran and Emeli Sandé.
High-profile appearances followed over the years. She performed at the 2022 Commonwealth Games and Adele’s Hyde Park concert.
| Event | Year | Location | Significance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ed Sheeran/Emeli Sandé Support | 2014 | UK Tour | First major tour experience |
| Commonwealth Games | 2022 | Birmingham | International sporting event |
| British Summer Time | 2022 | London Hyde Park | Opening for Adele |
| IRL World Tour | 2023 | Europe, NA, Australia | First global headlining tour |
Connecting with Audiences on Stage
Her preparation for tours involves complete focus. “I have to be super focused on diet, exercise and all the wellness stuff,” she shared about pre-tour discipline.
The artist introduces herself as a “lovergirl” during performances. She shares backstories about songs, many dealing with romance.
This approach helps people connect with the music on a deeper level. It turns each show into a shared emotional experience rather than just a concert.
Festival appearances at Boardmasters and Greenbelt expanded her reach. These events brought her music to diverse audiences across different settings.
Fashion, Style and Personal Branding
The clip-on earrings she borrowed from her mother’s collection were more than accessories—they were armor. This early creativity shaped her approach to personal style as an extension of artistic identity.
Favorite Jewelry and Signature Looks
During school years, jewelry became her secret weapon. Her father’s strict no-makeup rule led to clever workarounds. She’d sneak her mother’s clip-ons to add color to her uniform.
As a kid, she begged for Pandora charm bracelets. That childhood passion came full circle decades later. In 2024, she became an official ambassador for the brand.
Her style evolution reflects personal growth. She moved from safe blues to bold reds and pinks. The shift coincided with embracing her “lovergirl” persona in music and life.
Editorial shoots showcase her playful approach. She’s worn everything from pink fur coats to cheeky slogan tees. Each choice connects to themes in her music about vulnerability and joy.
For young Black women, accessories often carry cultural weight. They become tools for self-expression in spaces that may not always feel welcoming. Her journey shows how personal style can be both rebellion and celebration.
Connecting with Fans and Fostering Community
After experiencing the industry’s gaps firsthand, she created a platform to support new R&B voices. This initiative reflects her deep commitment to community building beyond her own music career.
Mahalia Presents and Support for Emerging R&B Artists
Mahalia Presents launched in 2021 as pop-up club nights for rising talent. She wanted to give younger artists a space to share their music and personalities. “I started those events because I wanted a platform where people would appreciate them,” she explained.
The platform grew significantly last year. In 2023 alone, it hosted six London events and two in New York. These showcases featured 22 different artists including Ayanna, Tara Lily, and James Vickery.
| Location | Number of Events | Artists Showcased |
|---|---|---|
| London | 6 | Various emerging R&B talents |
| New York | 2 | International rising artists |
| Total 2023 | 8 events | 22 artists supported |
“Nobody was doing anything like that when I was coming up,” she told Time Out. The initiative filled a void she felt as a young musician. It became an incredible way to build community around R&B music.
By 2025, she plans to scale back events to focus on her own creative direction. This balance shows her understanding that supporting others requires personal reflection too. Her advocacy extends to championing R&B recognition in mainstream awards.
Every small step feels like a massive victory in building the genre’s future. Being part of this change means actively creating platforms for artists who need them most.
Final Reflections on Mahalia’s Journey
Recording in Jamaica for the upcoming ‘Luvergirl’ EP represents the latest chapter in an ongoing conversation between R&B roots and global sounds. The artist described this new work as “fucking bad boy music” that feels like a fresh start. Collaborations with Lila Iké on “Pressure Points” and other artists blend dancehall energy with her signature soul.
Her journey through three studio albums shows remarkable growth. From the early ‘Diary of Me’ to the mature ‘Love and Compromise’ and introspective ‘IRL,’ each project reveals deeper self-awareness. Recognition like MOBO Awards and a Grammy nomination for Best R&B Performance validate her artistic path.
Mahalia admits to fears about reaching her desired heights. Yet she values awards as meaningful validation of her work. The singer describes herself as a “high vibration person” learning to balance ambition with rest.
This evolution from introspective albums to playful EPs marks an artist embracing her full creative range. Her journey continues to inspire through honest self-expression and genre-defying courage.
