8 minute read
Malina Moye
Dress: The Ethiquette Paris Vest: A Line called K Boots: 803 Life Bracelet: IceLink
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Jacket: Dulce Bestia Bra: Uye Surana Skirt: Neriman Georges Bracelet: IceLink Earrings: Dominique Renee
Vest: Dulce Bestia Shorts: Dulce Bestia Bracelet: IceLink Necklace: Align Jewelry Sunglasses: Dulce Bestia
Vest: Dulce Bestia Shorts: Dulce Bestia Bracelet: IceLink Necklace: Align Jewelry Sunglasses: Dulce Bestia
Vest: Dulce Bestia Shorts: Dulce Bestia Bracelet: IceLink Necklace: Align Jewelry Sunglasses: Dulce Bestia
Jacket: Dulce Bestia Bra: Uye Surana Skirt: Neriman Georges Bracelet: IceLink Earrings: Dominique Renee
Malina Moye
By: Ashley Oken
Malina Moye is an extraordinary person— and it’s not just because she’s the top female lefty guitarist in the world. A budding actress, humanitarian, and an acclaimed singer-songwriter she chooses to occupy multiple spaces in the entertainment field, always choosing to bring enthusiasm and a great mindset with her. All of this has led her to many notable accomplishments: Moye has served as an opening act both abroad and stateside for artists like Robin Thicke and the legendary rock group Journey. She honored the Queen of England with a rendition of “God Save The Queen” at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in celebration of the Queen’s 60th jubilee and has performed at the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame tribute concert for music pioneer Chuck Berry. She’s the first Black woman to make history by playing the National Anthem on an electric guitar at a professional sporting event at the Minnesota Vikings vs. Dallas Cowboys game. And she’s far from done with setting the industry ablaze.
Hailing from Cleveland, OH, Moye burst onto the rock scene in 2014 and never looked back. Known for flipping a Stratocaster upside-down, she’s the first female guitarist to join the Experience Hendrix Tour, to whom she has been compared along with Eric Gales. Moye’s debut album, Diamonds and Guitars, earned her critical acclaim and charted for six weeks. Her 2014 effort Rock & Roll Baby , which contains the single K-yotic featuring the funk legend Bootsy Collins which Billboard called “explosive” , blends a plethora of genres including neosoul, pop rock, and R&B.. Moye’s 2018 single Bad As I Wanna Be reached the top spot and charted for two weeks on Billboard’s blues chart. More recently, Moye is featured on Disney alum Bella Thorne’s new single Phantom which debuted at #1 on US’ Itunes Hip-Hop / Rap chart and landed on the Top 100 chart in over 10 countries. Moye fills a void in the entertainment world with her mix of rock and soul genres and philanthropy, cofounding the organization Drive Hope.
The musician chatted with Rival LA Magazine to discuss her love of music, using art as a tool for empowerment, her humanitarian efforts, and more. You’re known for fusing rock and soul in your music.
Where does your love of both genres come from?
always say we all get the same seven notes whether you’re playing Rock, Funk, Soul, Jazz, Hip-hop, Country, or Blues. How you wish to use them is up to you to tell your story. And they all stem from the same root which is blues.
You’re one of the first African-American, lefthanded upside-down guitarists to be recognized by Fender. How does that feel?
MM: It’s always a great feeling to be recognized. I’m a firm believer in “be you” and no matter what you will find your tribe.
You collaborated with Bella Thorne on her single Phantom. How did you both get together for it?
MM: Her team reached out to me via Instagram and presented the song and I loved it. We got in the studio and the rest is history. Super talented artist and it was a lot of fun working with her.
Your 2018 album “Bad As I Wanna Be” seemed to resonate with so many listeners. What do you want fans to take away from that album?
MM: I wrote the album as a reminder to myself that I matter and I count. I hope that listeners took away that you must celebrate yourself, even when others aren’t clapping for you. And to live and sit in YOU just as you are...being enough.
You’ve done so many bucket list things throughout your career. Is there anything that you’ve yet to cross off your list?
MM: Thank you! Yes, so many things on the bucket list. I’d love to collab with Bruno Mars, Foo Fighters, Drake…so many incredible artists. I’d also like to do more writing for end credit songs in movies.
You’re one of the top female guitarists in the world. Do you feel like things are changing regarding opportunities given to Black people and people of color in Rock?
MM: The murder of George Floyd and the start of the pandemic in 2020 gave the world a chance to reset and acknowledge the wrongs that need to be corrected. I have seen major changes in music and other areas. I think we have made some great strides and I hope it continues. Remember being the first is one thing, but real change is many. So I hope to see many more black & brown people, LGTBQ and women occupying the spaces they all want to be in. We still have a way to go in Rock, but a little movement is better than none at all.
You’ve made history as the first Black woman to play National Anthem on guitar at a professional sporting event and honored the Queen of England. How did you start to work towards this career? What’s your advice for those who want to follow in your footsteps?
MM: I never started out thinking any of the things you just mentioned. I just wanted to do a good job and hoped I made people proud in regards to both of those moments. The advice I’d give is you will have your own journey and be prepared for it. Learn as much as you can about what is you want to do. Get a good team. And be the best version of yourself. Don’t give up and enjoy the ride. That’s the best part.
You made your big screen debut with Hal Linden in The Samuel Project. What was that experience like? Are there more acting roles in your future?
MM: I had a wonderful time. I learned a tremendous amount from Mr. Linden and the director Marc Fusco. Yes, I have a few projects coming through the pipeline that I can’t wait to announce. I’m excited. This will definitely be a medium in which I plan to continue to occupy space as well.
You’re a model as well as a rockstar. How did those two fields become married in your professional life?
MM: Thank you. I don’t consider myself a model or a Rockstar, but I think just being a woman who loves fashion and creativity in all mediums—it just works for me. Entertainment is about entertaining, whatever that may be. I think I’m just lucky that my career allows me to be and do all the things I’ve always wanted to do.
Tell me more about your humanitarian efforts as co-founder of Drive Hope.
Jacket: Dulce Bestia Bra: Uye Surana Skirt: Neriman Georges Bracelet: IceLink Earrings: Dominique Renee
MM: We want to share knowledge to underprivileged kids and instill in them that everything is possible. Your circumstances don’t have to dictate your life. With our Hope Chats program, we bring in all types of professionals so that people can see that you don’t have to be Beyonce if you want to be in the music business for instance. There are a million different people in the entertainment fold that help to keep the Beyonce machine going. We have the lawyers, the accountants, the assistants to come in and tell their story and hopefully someone can identify with them. Hope chats discusses the who, what, when, where, why and how. Hopefully something resonates. Representation matters and when you can actually have a conversation on what’s possible and see it, it can change a life.
Photographer: Heather Koepp
Stylist: Claudia Avila
Hair: Schuron Womack
MUA: Jasmine Brown
Pants: Keama Official Top: Keama Official Bra: Dulce Bestia Cassette Bag: Align Jewelry Bracelet: Dea Dia
Pants: Keama Official Top: Keama Official Bra: Dulce Bestia Cassette Bag: Align Jewelry Bracelet: Dea Dia
Dress: The Ethiquette Paris Vest: A Line called K Boots: 803 Life Bracelet: IceLink
Dress: The Ethiquette Paris Vest: A Line called K Boots: 803 Life Bracelet: IceLink
Dress: The Ethiquette Paris Vest: A Line called K Boots: 803 Life Bracelet: IceLink
