Yooo, wassup everybody today we’ve got a very special piece on a promising young duo getting ready to take over the game. This group is family to me, and because of my close relationship I’ve been able to observe all of the details that make them so unique. The purpose of this entry is to share that insight, so you all can understand what makes RJ & Mal so special beyond just the music.
The Basics
RJ & Mal are a Rap and R&B duo based out of the Southside of Atlanta (where else?). They’ve known each other for 14 years and been making music for two. It’s amazing, despite not have been doing music for a very long time, they still have the ability to create very complete work, and they’re only getting better as they continue to work their craft.
The Group
It all starts with the “RJ ripped this beat”, the catchy tag of the producer in the group, RJ. Once you hear that you know you’re getting a quality sound. Versatility is a key component in the group’s potential, and it makes listening to them very refreshing. This well-roundedness is driven by RJ’s wide range of talent and ability to draw influence on their beats.
The masterful beats are accompaniment to their calculated and catchy lyrics. Mal, the lead vocalist and rapper is extremely talented when it comes to engineering flows and rhyme schemes. This of course is an essential ingredient to the overall success of their music, but what I value most is his lyrical content. The lyrics scream authenticity. If they said it, they meant it. Most of the lyrical content consists of their own personal truths and ambitions, detailing what it’s like to be young players from Atlanta beating the odds and planning to do more. Being best friends in real life allows them to achieve great chemistry in their music and the contrast in their voices leads for a pleasurable experience.
Different Path
Of course, quality music is the foundation to their success, but it doesn’t tell their whole story. These two stand out from the crowd with more than just the uniqueness of their music. They have different priorities, motives, and perspectives than most rappers. The key ingredient is staying true to themselves where they come from. There’s nothing fake about these guys, and it shows in the way they’re approaching this process. They’re doing it the right way. They let the music and their own charisma do the talking, rather than living a fraudulent lifestyle, flexing things they don’t have. This shows in the music. What you get is an authentic sound, which is refreshing to listen to and easy to be a fan of.
Just to preface a little of their background: RJ & Mal both attend The Wharton School of Business at University of Pennsylvania and are standout players for the football team. Mal is also a member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc. Obviously, they’ve got a lot on their plate and without a strong ambition they wouldn’t be able to achieve all that they have.
This piece is being released in tandem with their latest single “Smile”. Everything I’ve praised them for in this piece is detailed in the song. No flexing, just truth and confidence in who they are. They’ve come a long way, and have more than beat the odds. Despite that they face challenges every day in striving for their goals, but refuse to be deterred from their vision.